The semantics of microglia activation: neuroinflammation, homeostasis, and stress
Samuel C Woodburn1, Justin L Bollinger1, Eric S Wohleb2
1Department of Pharmacology & Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Abstract:
Microglia are emerging as critical regulators of neuronal function and behavior in nearly every area of neuroscience. Initial reports focused on classical immune functions of microglia in pathological contexts, however, immunological concepts from these studies have been applied to describe neuro-immune interactions in the absence of disease, injury, or infection. Indeed, terms such as 'microglia activation' or 'neuroinflammation' are used ubiquitously to describe changes in neuro-immune function in disparate contexts; particularly in stress research, where these terms prompt undue comparisons to pathological conditions. This creates a barrier for investigators new to neuro-immunology and ultimately hinders our understanding of stress effects on microglia. As more studies seek to understand the role of microglia in neurobiology and behavior, it is increasingly important to develop standard methods to study and define microglial phenotype and function. In this review, we summarize primary research on the role of microglia in pathological and physiological contexts. Further, we propose a framework to better describe changes in microglia1 phenotype and function in chronic stress. This approach will enable more precise characterization of microglia in different contexts, which should facilitate development of microglia-directed therapeutics in psychiatric and neurological disease.
Insights
Microglia, the brain's immune cells, are crucial for neuronal function. This review proposes a framework to accurately describe microglial changes in chronic stress, aiding research and therapeutic development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neuroimmunology
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Microglia play vital roles in neuronal function and behavior across neuroscience.
- Current terminology like 'microglia activation' and 'neuroinflammation' is often misapplied in non-pathological contexts, particularly in stress research.
- This imprecise language creates barriers for new researchers and hinders understanding of stress effects on microglia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of microglia in both pathological and physiological contexts.
- To propose a standardized framework for describing microglial phenotype and function changes, especially in chronic stress.
- To facilitate more precise characterization of microglia and advance the development of microglia-directed therapeutics.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive review of primary research on microglia in pathological and physiological conditions.
- Analysis of current terminology and its application in neuroscience, particularly stress research.
- Development of a proposed framework for characterizing microglial changes in chronic stress.
Main Results:
- Identified the ubiquitous but often imprecise use of terms like 'microglia activation' and 'neuroinflammation'.
- Highlighted the need for standardized methods to study and define microglial phenotype and function.
- Proposed a framework to enable more precise characterization of microglia in various contexts, including chronic stress.
Conclusions:
- Accurate description of microglial phenotype and function is essential for advancing neuroimmunology.
- A standardized framework will improve the understanding of microglia's role in chronic stress.
- Precise characterization of microglia is key to developing effective therapeutics for neurological and psychiatric diseases.
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