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Updated: Oct 5, 2025
Author Spotlight: In Vitro Co-Culture Model for Studying Microglia-Neuronal Interactions in Disease Conditions
Published on: July 26, 2024
Aged Microglia in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Microglia Lifespan and Culture Methods
Hyun-Jung Yoo1,2, Min-Soo Kwon1
1Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Research Institute for Basic Medical Science, CHA University, Cha Bio Complex, Seongnam-si, South Korea.
Abstract:
Microglia have been recognized as macrophages of the central nervous system (CNS) that are regarded as a culprit of neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, microglia have been considered as a cell that should be suppressed for maintaining a homeostatic CNS environment. However, microglia ontogeny, fate, heterogeneity, and their function in health and disease have been defined better with advances in single-cell and imaging technologies, and how to maintain homeostatic microglial function has become an emerging issue for targeting neurodegenerative diseases. Microglia are long-lived cells of yolk sac origin and have limited repopulating capacity. So, microglial perturbation in their lifespan is associated with not only neurodevelopmental disorders but also neurodegenerative diseases with aging. Considering that microglia are long-lived cells and may lose their functional capacity as they age, we can expect that aged microglia contribute to various neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, understanding microglial development and aging may represent an opportunity for clarifying CNS disease mechanisms and developing novel therapies.
Insights
Microglia, the central nervous system (CNS) immune cells, are crucial for brain health. Understanding their development and aging is key to treating neurodegenerative diseases.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Microglia, the resident macrophages of the central nervous system (CNS), have been traditionally viewed as detrimental in neuroinflammation associated with neurodegenerative diseases.
- Recent advances in single-cell and imaging technologies have improved our understanding of microglia's origins, diversity, and roles in both health and disease.
- Maintaining homeostatic microglial function is emerging as a critical therapeutic target for neurodegenerative conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the ontogeny, fate, heterogeneity, and function of microglia in the context of CNS health and neurodegenerative diseases.
- To highlight the significance of microglial aging in the progression of neurodegenerative disorders.
- To underscore the therapeutic potential of understanding microglial development and aging.
Main Methods:
- Review and synthesis of recent findings from single-cell and advanced imaging technologies.
- Analysis of microglial ontogeny, lifespan, and repopulating capacity.
- Examination of the impact of aging on microglial function and its contribution to disease.
Main Results:
- Microglia are long-lived cells originating from the yolk sac with limited self-renewal capacity.
- Perturbations in microglial lifespan are linked to neurodevelopmental and age-related neurodegenerative diseases.
- Aged microglia may exhibit impaired function, contributing to the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative conditions.
Conclusions:
- Understanding microglial development and aging is crucial for elucidating CNS disease mechanisms.
- Targeting microglial aging and maintaining their homeostatic function presents a promising therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases.
- Further research into microglial biology offers opportunities for novel therapeutic interventions.
