Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 17, 2025
Rapid and Refined CD11b Magnetic Isolation of Primary Microglia with Enhanced Purity and Versatility
Published on: April 13, 2017
Review: Microglia in motor neuron disease
B A Ashford1, D Boche2, J Cooper-Knock1
1University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
Abstract:
Motor Neuron Disease (MND) is a fatal neurodegenerative condition, which is characterized by the selective loss of the upper and lower motor neurons. At the sites of motor neuron injury, accumulation of activated microglia, the primary immune cells of the central nervous system, is commonly observed in both human post mortem studies and animal models of MND. Microglial activation has been found to correlate with many clinical features and importantly, the speed of disease progression in humans. Both anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory microglial responses have been shown to influence disease progression in humans and models of MND. As such, microglia could both contribute to and protect against inflammatory mechanisms of pathogenesis in MND. While murine models have characterized the microglial response to MND, these studies have painted a complex and often contradictory picture, indicating a need for further characterization in humans. This review examines the potential role microglia play in MND in human and animal studies. Both the pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses will be addressed, throughout the course of disease, followed by the potential of microglia as a target in the development of disease-modifying treatments for MND.
Insights
Motor Neuron Disease (MND) involves motor neuron loss. Microglia, the brain's immune cells, play a complex role in MND, potentially both harming and protecting neurons, necessitating further human study.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
Background:
- Motor Neuron Disease (MND) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor neuron loss.
- Activated microglia accumulate at sites of injury in MND, correlating with disease progression and clinical features.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the dual role of microglia in MND pathogenesis.
- To examine both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory microglial responses in human and animal models.
- To explore microglia as potential therapeutic targets for MND.
Main Methods:
- Review of human post-mortem studies and animal models of MND.
- Analysis of microglial activation and its correlation with disease progression.
- Examination of both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory microglial functions.
Main Results:
- Microglial activation is a common feature in MND, influencing disease progression.
- Both beneficial and detrimental roles of microglia in MND have been observed.
- Murine models present a complex and sometimes contradictory view of microglial responses.
Conclusions:
- Microglia have a complex, multifaceted role in MND, acting as both contributors to and protectors against pathogenesis.
- Further human-centric research is crucial to fully understand microglial involvement in MND.
- Targeting microglial pathways offers potential for developing novel disease-modifying therapies for MND.
More Related Videos
09:36Primary Cultures of Rat Astrocytes and Microglia and Their Use in the Study of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Published on: June 23, 2022
10:40Immunofluorescence Staining Using IBA1 and TMEM119 for Microglial Density, Morphology and Peripheral Myeloid Cell Infiltration Analysis in Mouse Brain
Published on: October 27, 2019