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Updated: May 3, 2026
The Subventricular Zone En-face: Wholemount Staining and Ependymal Flow
Published on: May 6, 2010
Microglia enhance neurogenesis and oligodendrogenesis in the early postnatal subventricular zone
Yukari Shigemoto-Mogami1, Kazue Hoshikawa, James E Goldman
1Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Division of Pharmacology, National Institute of Health Sciences, Tokyo 158-8501, Japan, and Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York 10032.
Abstract:
Although microglia have long been considered as brain resident immune cells, increasing evidence suggests that they also have physiological roles in the development of the normal CNS. In this study, we found large numbers of activated microglia in the forebrain subventricular zone (SVZ) of the rat from P1 to P10. Pharmacological suppression of the activation, which produces a decrease in levels of a number of proinflammatory cytokines (i.e., IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ) significantly inhibited neurogenesis and oligodendrogenesis in the SVZ. In vitro neurosphere assays reproduced the enhancement of neurogenesis and oligodendrogenesis by activated microglia and showed that the cytokines revealed the effects complementarily. These results suggest that activated microglia accumulate in the early postnatal SVZ and that they enhance neurogenesis and oligodendrogenesis via released cytokines.
Insights
Activated microglia in the developing brain enhance neural stem cell proliferation. Suppressing these immune cells and their inflammatory cytokines reduced neurogenesis and oligodendrogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Microglia are traditionally viewed as brain immune cells.
- Emerging evidence highlights their physiological roles in normal central nervous system (CNS) development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of activated microglia in the developing rat brain.
- To determine the impact of microglia-derived cytokines on neurogenesis and oligodendrogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Identified and quantified activated microglia in the rat forebrain subventricular zone (SVZ) from postnatal day 1 to 10.
- Used pharmacological agents to suppress microglial activation and measured changes in proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ).
- Conducted in vitro neurosphere assays to assess the direct effects of activated microglia and cytokines on neurogenesis and oligodendrogenesis.
Main Results:
- Large numbers of activated microglia were found in the early postnatal SVZ.
- Pharmacological suppression of microglia significantly inhibited neurogenesis and oligodendrogenesis.
- In vitro assays confirmed that activated microglia and their secreted cytokines enhance neurogenesis and oligodendrogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Activated microglia accumulate in the early postnatal SVZ.
- These microglia promote neurogenesis and oligodendrogenesis through the release of cytokines.
- Microglia play a crucial physiological role in CNS development.
