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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 12, 2025

A Novel In Vitro Live-imaging Assay of Astrocyte-mediated Phagocytosis Using pH Indicator-conjugated Synaptosomes

A Novel In Vitro Live-imaging Assay of Astrocyte-mediated Phagocytosis Using pH Indicator-conjugated Synaptosomes

Published on: February 5, 2018

Microglial trogocytosis and the complement system regulate axonal pruning in vivo.

Tony Ky Lim¹, Edward S Ruthazer¹

¹Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.

|March 16, 2021

Summary

Microglia partially engulf axons (trogocytosis) in vivo, regulating neural circuit development and behavior. Neurons control this process via complement inhibitory proteins like regulator of complement activation 3.

Keywords:

axon behavior immunology inflammation microglia morphometry neuroscience pruning retinotectal xenopus

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Last Updated: Nov 12, 2025

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Published on: February 5, 2018

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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
Developmental Biology

Background:

Microglial partial phagocytosis of axons (trogocytosis) is known ex vivo but unobserved in vivo.
Mechanisms and functions of microglial trogocytosis in neural development are poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To directly observe and characterize microglial axon trogocytosis in vivo.
To elucidate the mechanisms and functional significance of this process in neural circuit development.

Main Methods:

Direct in vivo observation of microglial axon trogocytosis in the developing Xenopus laevis retinotectal circuit.
Bioinformatic analysis to identify regulatory molecules.
Experimental manipulation of complement activity.

Main Results:

Directly observed microglial trogocytosis of axons in vivo.
Demonstrated that microglia regulate retinal ganglion cell axon pruning and influence behavioral responses.
Identified amphibian regulator of complement activation 3 (a CD46 homolog) as a neuronal complement inhibitor of trogocytosis.
Showed that enhanced complement activity increases axonal pruning.

Conclusions:

Microglia remodel axons through trogocytosis in vivo.
Neurons regulate microglial axon remodeling via complement inhibitory proteins.