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Updated: Feb 15, 2026
Culturing Microglia from the Neonatal and Adult Central Nervous System
Published on: August 9, 2013
The role of microglia in central nervous system injury caused by pathogen infections
Yingying Lu1, Chi Zhang1, Hongjuan Peng1
1Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, PR China; Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Research in South China, Ministry of Education, Southern Medical University, 1023-1063 South Shatai Rd, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, 510515, PR China.
Abstract:
Microglia are resident immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS) and play a crucial role in immune surveillance and tissue repair in the brain. Microglia are involved in processes such as neurogenesis, antigen presentation, synaptic pruning, and phagocytosis. They can be activated by pathogenic infections and various other pathological factors, thereby exerting effects of mediating neuroinflammation or neuroprotection. Meanwhile, when the homeostasis of the neuronal microenvironment is disrupted, microglia can become hyperactivated, leading to multi-dimensional damage and exacerbation of CNS lesions. This article systematically reviews the activation pathways and phenotypic states of microglia, their involvement in CNS injury during pathogen infections, and their roles in the infection-related CNS diseases. It aims to provide insights into the mechanisms underlying the involvement of microglia in infectious brain diseases and to identify potential therapeutic targets for CNS damage.
Insights
Microglia, the brain's immune cells, can either protect or harm the central nervous system (CNS) during infections. Understanding their activation is key to treating infectious brain diseases and CNS damage.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Pathology
Background:
- Microglia are the primary immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS).
- They perform vital functions including immune surveillance, neurogenesis, and synaptic pruning.
- Microglial activation is implicated in both neuroprotection and neuroinflammation during CNS injury.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review microglia activation pathways and phenotypic states.
- To examine the role of microglia in CNS injury during pathogen infections.
- To explore microglia involvement in infection-related CNS diseases and identify therapeutic targets.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review.
- Analysis of microglial activation mechanisms.
- Review of roles in infectious CNS diseases.
Main Results:
- Microglia activation is a double-edged sword, mediating neuroinflammation or neuroprotection.
- Hyperactivated microglia contribute to CNS damage and lesion exacerbation.
- Dysregulated microglial responses are central to various infection-related CNS pathologies.
Conclusions:
- Microglia play a critical role in the pathogenesis of infectious brain diseases.
- Targeting microglial activation pathways offers potential therapeutic strategies for CNS damage.
- Further research into microglial phenotypes is needed for effective treatment of CNS infections.
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