Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026
09:12
Isolation of Cortical Microglia with Preserved Immunophenotype and Functionality From Murine Neonates
Published on: January 30, 2014
15.9K
Microglia are not protective against cryptococcal meningitis
Sally H Mohamed1, Man Shun Fu1, Sofia Hain1
1Institute of Immunology & Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
Nature Communications
|November 8, 2023
Summary
Microglia depletion did not hinder fungal meningitis control. Instead, Cryptococcus neoformans survived within microglia, suggesting these cells may act as an early infection reservoir.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Infectious Diseases
- Mycology
Background:
- Microglia are crucial for combating brain infections like bacteria and viruses.
- Their role in fungal brain infections, such as cryptococcal meningitis, remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of microglia in cryptococcal meningitis.
- To understand how microglia influence the survival and behavior of Cryptococcus neoformans in the brain.
Main Methods:
- Utilized transgenic and chemical methods for microglia depletion in a mouse model.
- Infected mice with various strains of Cryptococcus neoformans.
- Analyzed fungal burden, intracellular fungal residence, and metal ion availability (copper).
Main Results:
- Microglia depletion did not impair control of Cryptococcus neoformans brain infection.
- Early in infection, microglia depletion reduced fungal brain burden, linked to intracellular fungal presence.
- Cryptococcus neoformans within microglia were protected from copper starvation, unlike extracellular fungi.
Conclusions:
- Tissue-resident myeloid cells, like microglia, can influence fungal phenotype in the brain.
- Microglia do not provide protection against Cryptococcus neoformans brain infection.
- Microglia may serve as an early reservoir for fungal pathogens in the brain.
