[Effects of stress on the structure and function of microglia]

The activation of stressors can disrupt the body's homeostasis, leading to the release of stress hormones such as epinephrine, noradrenaline, and glucocorticoids. Moreover, emerging evidence highlights the profound impact of stress on microglia, which are specialized macrophages residing in the brain's parenchyma. Following stress, microglia exhibit notable morphological activation and increased phagocytic activity. Microglia express various receptors that enable them to respond to stress hormones originating from both central and peripheral sources, thereby exerting pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory effects. In this article, we review the advancements in studying the structural and functional changes of microglia induced by exposure to stressors. Additionally, we explore the role of stress hormones in mediating the effects of these stressors on microglia.