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Neuroplasticity reflects the brain's remarkable capacity to adapt and evolve, responding dynamically to learning, experiences, or injury by reorganizing its neural circuitry. This reorganization involves creating new neural connections and refining old ones through a series of biological processes that contribute to the brain's lifelong development and adaptability.

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Updated: Oct 19, 2025

Rapid and Refined CD11b Magnetic Isolation of Primary Microglia with Enhanced Purity and Versatility

Rapid and Refined CD11b Magnetic Isolation of Primary Microglia with Enhanced Purity and Versatility

Published on: April 13, 2017

Plasticity of microglia.

Marcus Augusto-Oliveira¹, Gabriela P Arrifano¹, Charlotte Isabelle Delage²

¹Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, 66075-110, Belém, Brazil.

Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society

|September 22, 2021

Summary

Microglia, the brain's immune cells, originate from fetal macrophages and constantly survey the nervous system. Their plasticity is key to brain development, function, and defense against disease.

Keywords:

immunohistochemistry microglia microglial heterogeneity microgliosis morphology neuropathology neuroplasticity

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Last Updated: Oct 19, 2025

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Published on: April 13, 2017

Isolation of Cortical Microglia with Preserved Immunophenotype and Functionality From Murine Neonates

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Culturing Microglia from the Neonatal and Adult Central Nervous System

Culturing Microglia from the Neonatal and Adult Central Nervous System

Published on: August 9, 2013

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Immunology
Developmental Biology

Background:

Microglia originate from fetal macrophages and are essential for nervous system development and function.
They exhibit a conserved surveilling phenotype across species but show significant heterogeneity.
This plasticity allows lifelong adaptation and supports central nervous system resilience.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the origin, functions, and plasticity of microglial cells.
To understand the role of microglia in nervous tissue development, homeostasis, and disease.
To highlight the evolutionary conservation and context-specific adaptations of microglia.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on microglial cell biology.
Analysis of microglial phenotypes in development and pathology.
Examination of microglial interactions with neurons and other glial cells.

Main Results:

Microglia develop from fetal macrophages and adopt a surveilling phenotype crucial for homeostasis.
They play vital roles in synaptic formation, neuronal support, and axonal guidance.
Microgliosis, a reactive response, is conserved and context-dependent, with specific forms appearing in neuropathology.

Conclusions:

Microglial plasticity is fundamental for healthy nervous tissue development and function.
Microglia provide sophisticated defense mechanisms against neurological diseases.
Understanding microglial diversity and reactivity is crucial for therapeutic strategies.