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Published on: April 13, 2017
Regulation of myelination by microglia
Erin N Santos1, R Douglas Fields1
1Section on Nervous System Development and Plasticity, The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Abstract:
Interactions between microglia, the resident macrophages of the central nervous system (CNS), and myelin, the glial sheath on nerve fibers essential for rapid neural impulse transmission, are commonly studied in the context of neurotrauma and disease. However, interactions between microglia and myelin under normal physiological conditions have been largely overlooked. This review summarizes recent research indicating that the unique properties of microglia evident in disease states also enable microglia to regulate myelination during development and throughout life. This includes phagocytosis of cells and myelin membrane as well as the release of trophic factors, cytokines, and chemokines. The ability of microglia to sense neuronal activity and molecular features of the microenvironment enables them to optimize myelination by influencing early oligodendrogenesis, myelin formation, and removal of aberrantly targeted myelin. Understanding how microglia participate in myelination under normal conditions provides a new perspective that will increase understanding of developmental abnormalities.
Insights
Microglia, the central nervous system's immune cells, actively regulate myelination throughout life. These cells optimize myelin formation and clearance, offering new insights into developmental processes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Microglia are central nervous system (CNS) immune cells.
- Myelin is crucial for nerve fiber function.
- Microglia-myelin interactions are well-studied in disease but overlooked in normal physiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent research on microglia-myelin interactions under normal physiological conditions.
- To highlight the role of microglia in regulating myelination throughout life.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on microglia and myelination.
- Analysis of microglia's functions including phagocytosis and factor release.
- Examination of microglia's sensory capabilities regarding neuronal activity and microenvironment.
Main Results:
- Microglia possess unique properties that regulate myelination during development and adulthood.
- Microglia engage in phagocytosis of cells and myelin debris.
- Microglia release trophic factors, cytokines, and chemokines influencing myelination.
- Microglia sense neuronal activity to optimize myelination processes.
- Microglia influence oligodendrogenesis, myelin formation, and clearance of aberrant myelin.
Conclusions:
- Microglia play a vital, underappreciated role in normal myelination.
- Understanding physiological microglia-myelin interactions provides perspective on developmental abnormalities.
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