Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 27, 2025
Rapid and Refined CD11b Magnetic Isolation of Primary Microglia with Enhanced Purity and Versatility
Published on: April 13, 2017
Microglia and the Blood-Brain Barrier: An External Player in Acute and Chronic Neuroinflammatory Conditions
Giorgia Serena Gullotta1, Giuseppe Costantino1,2, Maria Angela Sortino1
1Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
Abstract:
Microglia are the resident immune cells of the central nervous system that guarantee immune surveillance and exert also a modulating role on neuronal synaptic development and function. Upon injury, microglia get activated and modify their morphology acquiring an ameboid phenotype and pro- or anti-inflammatory features. The active role of microglia in blood-brain barrier (BBB) function and their interaction with different cellular components of the BBB-endothelial cells, astrocytes and pericytes-are described. Here, we report the specific crosstalk of microglia with all the BBB cell types focusing in particular on the involvement of microglia in the modulation of BBB function in neuroinflammatory conditions that occur in conjunction with an acute event, such as a stroke, or in a slow neurodegenerative disease, such as Alzheimer's disease. The potential of microglia to exert a dual role, either protective or detrimental, depending on disease stages and environmental conditioning factors is also discussed.
Insights
Microglia, the brain's immune cells, interact with blood-brain barrier cells. Their role in neuroinflammation, seen in stroke and Alzheimer's disease, can be protective or harmful.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Microglia are central nervous system immune cells crucial for surveillance.
- They modulate neuronal development and function, and activate upon injury.
- Activated microglia exhibit ameboid morphology and varying inflammatory profiles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail microglia's interaction with blood-brain barrier (BBB) components.
- To investigate microglia's role in modulating BBB function during neuroinflammation.
- To explore microglia's dual protective or detrimental roles in neurological diseases.
Main Methods:
- The study focuses on the specific crosstalk between microglia and BBB cellular components.
- It examines microglia's involvement in BBB modulation during neuroinflammatory conditions.
- The research discusses microglia's context-dependent roles in disease.
Main Results:
- Microglia actively interact with endothelial cells, astrocytes, and pericytes of the BBB.
- Microglia significantly influence BBB function in neuroinflammatory states.
- Their impact on the BBB varies with disease stage and environmental factors.
Conclusions:
- Microglia are key players in maintaining and modulating blood-brain barrier integrity.
- Their complex interactions with BBB cells are critical in conditions like stroke and Alzheimer's disease.
- Understanding microglia's dual role is essential for developing targeted therapies for neuroinflammatory disorders.
