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Updated: Apr 4, 2026

Identifying Microglia and Peripheral Infiltrating Macrophages in the Injured Spinal Cords Using Flow Cytometry
08:47

Identifying Microglia and Peripheral Infiltrating Macrophages in the Injured Spinal Cords Using Flow Cytometry

Published on: June 24, 2025

914

Macrophage and microglial plasticity in the injured spinal cord

S David1, A D Greenhalgh1, A Kroner1

  • 1Centre for Research in Neuroscience, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1650 Cedar Ave., Montreal, Quebec H3G 1A4, Canada.

Neuroscience
|September 7, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Macrophages in spinal cord injury (SCI) include resident microglia and peripheral myeloid cells. These cells are plastic, shifting between pro-inflammatory and pro-repair phenotypes influenced by the SCI microenvironment, impacting recovery.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Regenerative Medicine

Background:

  • Following spinal cord injury (SCI), macrophages originate from both resident microglia and infiltrating peripheral myeloid cells.
  • Microglia initiate rapid responses to central nervous system (CNS) injury, signaling for peripheral cell recruitment.
  • While sharing some functions, these macrophage populations exhibit specialized roles post-SCI.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the plasticity of microglia and macrophages in the context of spinal cord injury.
  • To discuss the influence of phagocytosis and cytokine signaling on macrophage phenotype modulation.
  • To explore how the injured CNS microenvironment shapes macrophage behavior and function.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on cellular responses to spinal cord injury.
  • Analysis of studies investigating macrophage plasticity and phenotype switching.
  • Examination of the roles of phagocytosis and cytokine signaling in modulating macrophage behavior.

Main Results:

  • Macrophages in SCI exhibit significant plasticity, capable of transitioning between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory/pro-repair states.
  • The injured CNS microenvironment is a critical factor influencing macrophage phenotype and function.
  • Both phagocytosis and cytokine signaling are key mediators of macrophage plasticity post-injury.

Conclusions:

  • Microglia and peripheral macrophages are dynamic cells crucial for SCI pathophysiology.
  • Understanding macrophage plasticity is essential for developing targeted therapies for spinal cord repair.
  • Modulating macrophage phenotypes via phagocytosis and cytokines holds therapeutic potential for SCI.
Keywords:
macrophagemacrophage activationmicrogliaphagocytosisspinal cord injurytumor necrosis factor

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