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Glial Cells01:04

Glial Cells

Overview
Nervous Tissue: Glial Cells01:31

Nervous Tissue: Glial Cells

Glia, or neuroglia, are vital support cells that assist neurons in their functions. The term "glia" originates from the Greek word for "glue," reflecting their role in holding the nervous system together. These cells can be categorized into six types: four in the central nervous system (CNS) and two in the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
The CNS glial cell includes the astrocytes, the oligodendrocytes, the microglia, and the ependymal cells.
Astrocytes are star-shaped glial cells that interact...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 12, 2026

Generating and Co-culturing Murine Primary Microglia and Cortical Neurons
08:47

Generating and Co-culturing Murine Primary Microglia and Cortical Neurons

Published on: July 26, 2024

Microglial control of neuronal activity.

Catherine Béchade1, Yasmine Cantaut-Belarif, Alain Bessis

  • 1Institut de Biologie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Inserm U1025, CNRS UMR8197 Paris, France.

Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience
|April 2, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Microglia, the brain's immune cells, actively regulate neuronal activity. Beyond their immune role, they rapidly influence neural function, impacting brain pathologies and neurotransmission.

Keywords:
glial cellsinflammationmicroglianeurotransmissionsynapse

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Rapid and Refined CD11b Magnetic Isolation of Primary Microglia with Enhanced Purity and Versatility
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Rapid and Refined CD11b Magnetic Isolation of Primary Microglia with Enhanced Purity and Versatility

Published on: April 13, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 12, 2026

Generating and Co-culturing Murine Primary Microglia and Cortical Neurons
08:47

Generating and Co-culturing Murine Primary Microglia and Cortical Neurons

Published on: July 26, 2024

Rapid and Refined CD11b Magnetic Isolation of Primary Microglia with Enhanced Purity and Versatility
07:54

Rapid and Refined CD11b Magnetic Isolation of Primary Microglia with Enhanced Purity and Versatility

Published on: April 13, 2017

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Neuroimmunology
  • Cellular Biology

Background:

  • Neuronal activity regulation was traditionally viewed as neuron-autonomous.
  • Astrocytes were identified as key regulators of synaptic transmission.
  • Microglia, the brain's resident immune cells, have been primarily studied for their immune functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review emerging evidence on microglia's role in regulating neuronal activity.
  • To highlight the shift from microglia as purely immune cells to active participants in neural function.
  • To explore both long-term and rapid mechanisms of microglial influence on neuronal function.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent scientific literature and studies.
  • Analysis of data from various brain pathologies.
  • Examination of findings from genetic studies, including loss-of-function mutations in microglia-specific genes.

Main Results:

  • Microglia actively regulate neuronal activity, similar to astrocytes.
  • Alterations in microglial function are causally linked to pathological neuronal activity.
  • Microglia demonstrate both long-term and rapid modulation of neuronal function.
  • Microglia act as partners in neurotransmission.

Conclusions:

  • Microglia are crucial regulators of neuronal activity, extending beyond their immune roles.
  • Understanding microglia's neuroregulatory functions is vital for comprehending brain function and pathology.
  • Microglia are dynamic partners in synaptic transmission and neural circuit regulation.