Classical and unconventional pathways of vesicular release in microglia

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

Characterization of Immune Cell-derived Extracellular Vesicles and Studying Functional Impact on Cell Environment
10:09

Characterization of Immune Cell-derived Extracellular Vesicles and Studying Functional Impact on Cell Environment

Published on: June 2, 2020

Ilaria Prada1, Roberto Furlan, Michela Matteoli

  • 1Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano (MI), Italy.

Glia
|April 30, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Microglia, the brain's immune cells, communicate via secreted molecules and extracellular membrane vesicles (EMVs). This review explores how these vesicular mechanisms influence brain cell function in health and disease.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Microglia, the central nervous system's immune cells, are activated by various stimuli.
  • Activated microglia release soluble factors and extracellular membrane vesicles (EMVs).
  • These released components significantly impact neuronal function and brain homeostasis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the emerging concepts of vesicular secretion mechanisms in microglia.
  • To elucidate how microglia utilize EMVs for intercellular communication within the brain.
  • To understand the dual role of microglia in neuroinflammation and neuroprotection.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on microglial secretion and vesicular mechanisms.
  • Analysis of studies investigating microglial extracellular membrane vesicle (EMV) release.
  • Synthesis of current understanding of microglial communication pathways.

Main Results:

  • Microglial activation involves both soluble mediator release and EMV secretion.
  • Extracellular membrane vesicles (EMVs) from microglia carry diverse bioactive molecules.
  • Microglial EMVs can mediate both detrimental inflammatory and beneficial neuroprotective effects.

Conclusions:

  • Vesicular secretion is a critical mode of microglial communication.
  • Understanding microglial EMV function is key to deciphering brain health and disease.
  • Targeting microglial vesicular mechanisms may offer therapeutic strategies for neurological disorders.

More Related Videos

Rapid and Refined CD11b Magnetic Isolation of Primary Microglia with Enhanced Purity and Versatility07:54

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

Published on: April 13, 2017

Examination of Synaptic Vesicle Recycling Using FM Dyes During Evoked, Spontaneous, and Miniature Synaptic Activities08:10

Examination of Synaptic Vesicle Recycling Using FM Dyes During Evoked, Spontaneous, and Miniature Synaptic Activities

Published on: March 31, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Fusion of Secretory Vesicles with the Plasma Membrane01:26

Fusion of Secretory Vesicles with the Plasma Membrane

Proteins and neurotransmitters in secretory vesicles can be released from a cell upon vesicle docking, priming, and fusion with the plasma membrane. Vesicles are docked and primed in preparation for the quick exocytosis of their contents in response to a stimulus. The fusion process is mainly carried out by a SNAP Receptor or SNARE complex, consisting of synaptobrevin, syntaxin-1, and SNAP-25.
In 1993, Jim Rothman proposed that the antiparallel pairing of vesicular and transmembrane SNAREs, or...
Overview of Secretory Vesicles01:33

Overview of Secretory Vesicles

Secretory vesicles, also known as dense core vesicles (DCVs), are membrane-bound vesicles that transport secretory proteins, such as hormones or neurotransmitters. Regulated secretory vesicles transport proteins from the trans-Golgi network to the exterior of the cell. Proteins present in regulated secretory vesicles are required to be rapidly exocytosed in large amounts upon a specific stimulus.
Various proteins regulate the aggregation of molecules inside the secretory vesicles. Chromogranins...
Antigen Processing Pathways01:31

Antigen Processing Pathways

MHC molecules are key players in the immune response, enabling T cells to recognize and respond to specific antigens. They are present on the surface of all nucleated cells in the body and are instrumental in presenting antigens to T cells and activating them. T cells recognize the MHC-antigen complex and initiate an immune response. MHC class I and MHC class II are two main types of MHC molecules, each associated with a distinct antigen processing pathway.
MHC Class I: Presenting Endogenous...
Intralumenal Vesicles and Multivesicular Bodies01:38

Intralumenal Vesicles and Multivesicular Bodies

Intraluminal vesicles (ILVs) are small vesicles 50-80 nm in diameter formed during the maturation of early endosomes. A specialized endosome containing numerous ILVs is called a multivesicular body (MVB). ILVs contain internalized molecules such as antigens, nucleic acids, proteins, and metabolites. Some of these molecules are released from the MVBs inside exosomes and are transported to other cells. Other MVBs contain molecules that are retained in the ILVs and are later degraded within the...
Delivery Pathways to the Lysosome01:36

Delivery Pathways to the Lysosome

Eukaryotic cells use different mechanisms to eliminate toxic waste obsolete and worn-out substances. Lysosomes play a pivotal role in this, and hence, these substances are carried to the lysosome from other parts of the cell and extracellular space through different pathways. The most elaborately studied pathways to the lysosome are the endocytic pathways.
Endocytosis
In endocytosis, the cell membrane takes up macromolecules and particles from the surrounding medium. Clathrin-mediated...
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism01:30

Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism

Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that play a vital role in intercellular communication and functions of the nervous system. They allow the influx of ions across the membrane once the neurotransmitter binds, allowing the subsequent transmission of electrical excitation across the neurons. Other ligand-gated ion channels, like the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, permit anions like chloride into the cells on the binding of the GABA molecule. Their entry into the cell...