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Microglia are an essential component of the neuroprotective scar that forms after spinal cord injury

Victor Bellver-Landete1, Floriane Bretheau1, Benoit Mailhot1

  • 1Axe neurosciences du Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval et Département de médecine moléculaire de l'Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada.

Nature Communications
|February 2, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Microglia play a crucial role in spinal cord injury (SCI) by forming a protective glial scar. Modulating microglial activity, particularly proliferation, can significantly improve functional recovery after SCI.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Regenerative Medicine

Background:

  • The role of microglia in spinal cord injury (SCI) is poorly understood and often conflated with macrophage responses.
  • Microglia are resident immune cells in the central nervous system with critical roles in injury response.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the specific functions and dynamics of microglia following SCI.
  • To investigate the therapeutic potential of modulating microglial activity for SCI recovery.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized specific transgenic mouse models and depleting agents to target and study microglia.
  • Analyzed microglial proliferation, migration, and interaction with other cells (leukocytes, astrocytes) post-SCI.
  • Assessed the impact of microglial depletion and enhancement on glial scar formation, tissue survival, and functional recovery.

Main Results:

  • Microglia exhibit dynamic behavior, proliferating extensively and accumulating around the SCI lesion within two weeks.
  • Activated microglia interact with infiltrating leukocytes and astrocytes, influencing glial scar formation via factors like IGF-1.
  • Microglial depletion disrupts scar formation, increases immune infiltration, reduces neuronal/oligodendrocyte survival, and worsens locomotor recovery.
  • Enhancing microglial proliferation via M-CSF delivery reduces lesion size and improves functional outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Microglia are essential cellular components of the glial scar, contributing to neural tissue protection after SCI.
  • Targeting microglial proliferation presents a promising therapeutic strategy for enhancing recovery from spinal cord injury.

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