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Functional plasticity of microglia: a review
W J Streit1, M B Graeber, G W Kreutzberg
1Department of Neuromorphology, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Martinsried, Federal Republic of Germany.
Glia
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Central nervous system (CNS) microglia act as autonomous defense cells, performing immune functions within the brain. Activated microglia can function as antigen-presenting cells, potentially initiating brain inflammation and challenging the concept of immune privilege.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Cellular Immunology
- Central Nervous System (CNS) Research
Background:
- Microglia are resident immune cells within the CNS, forming a distributed network.
- These cells can be activated by various stimuli, including injury and infection.
- Previous research has focused on astrocyte immunology, necessitating a specific review of microglia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent in vivo data supporting microglia's autonomous immune functions in the CNS.
- To define 'activated microglia' and their transformation into brain macrophages.
- To explore microglia's role in antigen presentation and lymphocyte recruitment to the brain.
Main Methods:
- Review of recently acquired in vivo data.
- Focus on microglial cell functions, excluding astrocyte immunology.
- Analysis of microglial activation, proliferation, and immunophenotypic changes.
Main Results:
- Microglia function autonomously as CNS defense cells with specific immune capabilities.
- Activated microglia exhibit proliferation and altered immunophenotypes, distinct from macrophages.
- Microglia can act as antigen-presenting cells, potentially driving brain inflammation.
Conclusions:
- Microglia play a critical role in CNS immune responses.
- Their function as antigen-presenting cells may initiate inflammatory reactions in the brain.
- Understanding microglial function may necessitate a redefinition of CNS immune privilege.