Microglial and TREM2 dialogues in the developing brain

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Immunology
• Developmental Biology

Background:

• The immune system is vital for central nervous system (CNS) development, influencing precursor cell migration and neural circuit refinement.
• Microglia, the resident macrophages of the brain, are key players in these developmental processes, impacting circuit remodeling.
• Recent research highlights the critical role of microglial crosstalk with various brain cells during neurodevelopment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize current literature on the role of microglia in neurodevelopment.
• To elucidate the mechanisms of microglial communication with key brain cell types.
• To highlight the influence of the TREM2 receptor on microglial function and target cell fate.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of existing research on microglia and neurodevelopment.
• Analysis of studies detailing microglial interactions with neural precursors, neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes.
• Examination of the role of the TREM2 receptor in mediating microglial functions.

Main Results:

• Microglia actively regulate multiple stages of brain development through cell-cell communication.
• The TREM2 receptor significantly influences microglial state and guides the transcriptional and functional fate of target cells.
• Specific mechanisms of microglial interaction with neural precursors, neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes have been described.

Conclusions:

• Microglia are indispensable for normal CNS development, acting through intricate communication networks.
• Understanding microglial-neuronal interactions, particularly via TREM2, is crucial for comprehending neurodevelopmental processes.
• This review provides a comprehensive overview of microglial contributions to neurodevelopment, emphasizing receptor-mediated signaling.