Correction: The importance of microglia in the development of the vasculature in the central nervous system
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Updated: May 10, 2026
Live Imaging and Characterization of Microglia Dynamics in the Zebrafish Embryo
Published on: May 17, 2024
Tom Arnold1, Christer Betsholtz
1Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Division of Vascular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 17177, Sweden. christer.betsholtz@ki.se.
Correction:
After the publication of this work 1 it was brought to our attention that citations in the article were not correspondingly numbered in the reference list. To avoid confusion, the article is republished here in its entirety, with the citations referenced correctly.The Publisher and authors apologize to the readers for the inconvenience caused.
Abstract:
The body's vascular system is thought to have developed in order to supply oxygen and nutrients to cells beyond the reach of simple diffusion. Hence, relative hypoxia in the growing central nervous system (CNS) is a major driving force for the ingression and refinement of the complex vascular bed that serves it. However, even before the establishment of this CNS vascular system, CNS-specific macrophages (microglia) migrate into the brain. Recent studies in mice point to the fundamental importance of microglia in shaping CNS vasculature during development, and re-shaping these vessels during pathological insults. In this review, we discuss the origin of CNS microglia and their localization within the brain based on data obtained in mice. We then review evidence supporting a functional role of these microglia in developmental angiogenesis. Although pathologic processes such as CNS ischemia may subvert the developmental functions of microglia/macrophages with significant effects on brain neo-angiogenesis, we have left this topic to other recent reviews 23.
Insights
Microglia, a type of macrophage in the central nervous system (CNS), are crucial for shaping brain vasculature during development. These cells play a vital role in forming the complex vascular network essential for CNS function.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- The vascular system develops to deliver oxygen and nutrients, with hypoxia driving central nervous system (CNS) vascularization.
- Microglia, CNS-specific macrophages, migrate into the brain early in development.
- Emerging research highlights microglia's role in shaping and reshaping CNS vasculature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the origin and localization of CNS microglia in mice.
- To examine the functional role of microglia in developmental angiogenesis.
- To provide context for microglia's influence on CNS vascular development.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature and studies on mouse models.
- Analysis of data regarding microglia origin, localization, and function.
- Synthesis of evidence on microglia's role in angiogenesis.
Main Results:
- Microglia are integral to the development of the CNS vascular system.
- Evidence supports a significant functional role for microglia in angiogenesis.
- Microglia's influence extends to the refinement of brain vasculature.
Conclusions:
- Microglia are essential for the proper development of CNS vasculature.
- Understanding microglia's role is key to comprehending brain vascular formation.
- Further research into microglia-macrophage functions in CNS angiogenesis is warranted.
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