Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Glial Cells

Glial Cells

Nervous Tissue: Glial Cells

Nervous Tissue: Glial Cells

Glia, or neuroglia, are vital support cells that assist neurons in their functions. The term "glia" originates from the Greek word for "glue," reflecting their role in holding the nervous system together. These cells can be categorized into six types: four in the central nervous system (CNS) and two in the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
The CNS glial cell includes the astrocytes, the oligodendrocytes, the microglia, and the ependymal cells.
Astrocytes are star-shaped glial...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Defining neonatal encephalopathy: an international real-time Delphi consensus process.

The Lancet. Child & adolescent health·2026

Same author

Obituary: Professor Andrew "Andy" G. L. Whitelaw, MD, Emeritus Neonatologist.

Pediatric research·2026

Same author

TPH1-dependent maternal hyposerotonemia: long-term effects on adult wild-type mouse offspring.

Communications biology·2026

Same author

The role of persistent inflammation in failed recovery after perinatal brain injury: is resolution the cure?

Journal of neuroinflammation·2026

Same author

A minimally invasive, scalable and reproducible neonatal rat model of severe focal brain injury.

Brain communications·2026

Same author

Stress during the first 1,000 days of life in humans, when everything begins.

Frontiers in human neuroscience·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 21, 2026

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

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

Published on: April 13, 2017

GluNs Detection and Functions in Microglial Cells.

Stéphane Peineau^1,2,3, Vincent Degos², Catherine Verney²

¹MRC Centre for Synaptic Plasticity, School of Physiology, Pharmacology, Neurosciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)

|October 8, 2017

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers confirmed the presence and function of GluN receptors in microglia. This study utilized advanced techniques and genetic models to validate these findings, establishing a foundation for understanding microglial roles in neurological processes.

Keywords:

Brain Calcium imaging Electrophysiology GluN Immunofluorescence Microglia Morphology studies Multiplex immunoassay NMDA receptor Western blots

More Related Videos

Detection of MicroRNAs in Microglia by Real-time PCR in Normal CNS and During Neuroinflammation

Detection of MicroRNAs in Microglia by Real-time PCR in Normal CNS and During Neuroinflammation

Published on: July 23, 2012

Isolation of Cortical Microglia with Preserved Immunophenotype and Functionality From Murine Neonates

Isolation of Cortical Microglia with Preserved Immunophenotype and Functionality From Murine Neonates

Published on: January 30, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 21, 2026

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

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

Published on: April 13, 2017

Detection of MicroRNAs in Microglia by Real-time PCR in Normal CNS and During Neuroinflammation

Detection of MicroRNAs in Microglia by Real-time PCR in Normal CNS and During Neuroinflammation

Published on: July 23, 2012

Isolation of Cortical Microglia with Preserved Immunophenotype and Functionality From Murine Neonates

Isolation of Cortical Microglia with Preserved Immunophenotype and Functionality From Murine Neonates

Published on: January 30, 2014

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Immunology
Cell Biology

Background:

Microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, play crucial roles in neurological functions.
The presence and function of glutamate receptors, specifically N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors (GluN), in microglia remain incompletely understood.
Establishing the endogenous expression and functional significance of GluN in microglia is essential for understanding neuroinflammation and neuronal communication.

Purpose of the Study:

To definitively prove the endogenous expression of GluN genes and proteins in microglia.
To determine the cellular localization and functional activity of microglial GluN.
To elucidate the specific roles of functional microglial GluN in brain physiology and pathology.

Main Methods:

Utilized mRNA detection techniques (e.g., RT-PCR) to confirm GluN gene transcription.
Employed western blotting and immunofluorescence to verify GluN protein expression and localization within microglia.
Applied electrophysiology and calcium imaging to assess the functional activity of microglial GluN.
Conducted morphology studies, multiplex immunoassays, and utilized conditional microglial Knock-Out mice and brain lesion models to investigate GluN function in vivo.

Main Results:

Demonstrated successful transcription and translation of GluN genes in microglia.
Confirmed the presence and specific cellular localization of GluN proteins within microglia.
Provided evidence for functional GluN receptors on microglia, evidenced by electrophysiological and calcium signaling responses.
Showcased the involvement of microglial GluN in cellular responses within brain lesion models.

Conclusions:

Conclusively established the endogenous presence and functional activity of GluN in microglia.
Highlighted the necessity of a multi-technique approach, including genetic models, for comprehensive validation.
Opened new avenues for investigating the precise roles of microglial GluN in neurological diseases and brain function.