Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 21, 2026

Characterization and Isolation of Mouse Primary Microglia by Density Gradient Centrifugation
10:21

Characterization and Isolation of Mouse Primary Microglia by Density Gradient Centrifugation

Published on: February 16, 2018

20.5K

Microglia protect against brain injury and their selective elimination dysregulates neuronal network activity after

Gergely Szalay1, Bernadett Martinecz2, Nikolett Lénárt2

  • 1Two-Photon Imaging Center, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szigony U. 43, Budapest 1083, Hungary.

Nature Communications
|May 4, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Microglia, the brain's immune cells, protect against brain injury by reducing excitotoxic damage and neuronal death. Their absence worsens stroke outcomes, highlighting their crucial role in brain health.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Microglia are the primary immune cells in the brain.
  • Their role in neuronal activity and survival following brain injury in vivo remains unclear.
  • Microglia are implicated in various common brain diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the influence of microglia on neuronal activity and survival in a mouse model of cerebral ischemia.
  • To elucidate the protective mechanisms of microglia in the context of brain injury.

Main Methods:

  • Development of a controlled model of cerebral ischemia in vivo.
  • Utilized fast in vivo two-photon calcium imaging.
  • Employed selective microglial manipulation (elimination and repopulation).

Main Results:

  • Selective elimination of microglia increased infarct size by 60%.
  • Microglial absence led to dysregulated neuronal calcium responses, calcium overload, and increased neuronal death.
  • The incidence of spreading depolarization (SD) was significantly reduced in the absence of microglia.

Conclusions:

  • Microglia play a critical protective role in mitigating neuronal damage after cerebral ischemia.
  • Microglia modulate neuronal network activity and spreading depolarization following brain injury.
  • These findings have significant implications for understanding and treating common brain diseases involving brain injury.

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

10.5K
Assessing Microglial Phagocytosis of Myelin Debris in vitro Under Repeated Magnetic Stimulation08:34

Assessing Microglial Phagocytosis of Myelin Debris in vitro Under Repeated Magnetic Stimulation

Published on: June 17, 2025

1.2K

Related Concept Videos

Glial Cells01:04

Glial Cells

Overview
96.3K
The Blood-brain Barrier00:49

The Blood-brain Barrier

Overview
55.0K
Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue01:15

Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue

In the CNS, neurogenesis, the birth of new neurons from stem cells, is limited to the hippocampus in adults. In other regions of the brain and spinal cord, neurogenesis is almost non-existent due to inhibitory influences from neuroglia, especially oligodendrocytes, and the absence of growth-stimulating cues. The myelin produced by oligodendrocytes in the CNS inhibits neuronal regeneration. Furthermore, astrocytes proliferate rapidly after neuronal damage, forming scar tissue that physically...
2.0K