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Updated: May 5, 2026
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Isolation of Cortical Microglia with Preserved Immunophenotype and Functionality From Murine Neonates
Published on: January 30, 2014
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Glycolytic reprogramming during microglial polarization in neurological diseases
Xiaoting Li1,2, Congcong Fang3, Yina Li1,2
1Department of Anesthesiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
Frontiers in Immunology
|October 23, 2025
Summary
Microglia, the immune cells of the central nervous system, change their function based on metabolism. Targeting their glucose metabolism offers a new way to treat neurological disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Metabolic pathways
Background:
- Microglia are key immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS) involved in neurological disorders.
- Microglial plasticity allows diverse phenotypes driven by microenvironmental cues.
- Metabolic reprogramming, especially glucose metabolism, critically regulates microglial polarization and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review microglial polarization and glycolytic reprogramming in neurological diseases.
- To explore the role of metabolic reprogramming in CNS pathologies.
- To highlight the need for further research into microglial metabolomics and epigenetics.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of microglial polarization.
- Analysis of metabolic reprogramming in CNS disorders.
- Exploration of glycolytic pathways in microglial function.
Main Results:
- Microglial polarization is tightly linked to glucose metabolic reprogramming.
- Proinflammatory microglia primarily use glycolysis; anti-inflammatory microglia use oxidative phosphorylation.
- Targeting microglial glycolysis is a potential therapeutic strategy for CNS diseases.
Conclusions:
- Microglial metabolic reprogramming is central to their role in neurological disorders.
- Modulating microglial metabolism, particularly glycolysis, may offer novel therapeutic strategies.
- Further investigation into the interplay of metabolomics and epigenetics in microglia is warranted.
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