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Isolation of Cortical Microglia with Preserved Immunophenotype and Functionality From Murine Neonates
Published on: January 30, 2014
Morphology, localization, and postnatal development of dural macrophages
Takehito Sato1,2, Hiroyuki Konishi3, Hiromi Tamada1
1Department of Functional Anatomy and Neuroscience, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan.
Abstract:
The dura mater contains abundant macrophages whose functions remain largely elusive. Recent studies have demonstrated the origin, as well as the gene expression pattern, of dural macrophages (dMΦs). However, their histological features have not been explored yet. In this study, we performed immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy to elucidate their precise morphology, localization, and postnatal development in mice. We found that the morphology, as well as the localization, of dMΦs changed during postnatal development. In neonatal mice, dMΦ exhibited an amoeboid morphology. During postnatal development, their cell bodies elongated longitudinally and became aligned along dural blood vessels. In adulthood, nearly half of the dMΦs aligned along blood vessel networks. However, most of these cells were not directly attached to vessels; pericytes and fibroblasts interposed between dMΦs and vessels. This morphological information may provide further indications for the functional significance of dMΦs.
Insights
Dural macrophages (dMΦs) in mice change shape and position as they mature. These immune cells align along blood vessels in the dura mater, offering clues to their function.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Histology
Background:
- The dura mater harbors numerous macrophages with poorly understood roles.
- Recent research identified the origin and gene expression of dural macrophages (dMΦs).
- Histological characteristics of dMΦs remain largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the morphology, localization, and postnatal development of dural macrophages (dMΦs) in mice.
- To elucidate the precise histological features of dMΦs.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was employed to study dural macrophages.
- Electron microscopy was utilized to examine dMΦs in detail.
- Postnatal development in mice was analyzed.
Main Results:
- Dural macrophage (dMΦ) morphology and localization exhibit dynamic changes during postnatal development.
- Neonatal dMΦs present an amoeboid morphology.
- With maturation, dMΦs elongate, aligning along dural blood vessels, with nearly half associated with vascular networks in adulthood.
- Most adult dMΦs are not directly apposed to vessels, with intervening pericytes and fibroblasts.
Conclusions:
- Dural macrophages (dMΦs) undergo significant morphological and positional shifts postnatally.
- The observed alignment along blood vessels suggests a role in vascular maintenance or surveillance.
- Understanding dMΦ morphology provides insights into their functional significance within the dura mater.
