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Glial Cells

Glial Cells

Nervous Tissue: Glial Cells

Nervous Tissue: Glial Cells

Glia, or neuroglia, are vital support cells that assist neurons in their functions. The term "glia" originates from the Greek word for "glue," reflecting their role in holding the nervous system together. These cells can be categorized into six types: four in the central nervous system (CNS) and two in the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
The CNS glial cell includes the astrocytes, the oligodendrocytes, the microglia, and the ependymal cells.
Astrocytes are star-shaped glial cells that interact...

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Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Generating and Co-culturing Murine Primary Microglia and Cortical Neurons

Generating and Co-culturing Murine Primary Microglia and Cortical Neurons

Published on: July 26, 2024

Microglia and neuroinflammation: function, heterogeneity, and crosstalk.

Shuai Zong¹, Xiaolin Cui¹, Shuang Wu²

¹Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China.

Cellular & Molecular Immunology

|June 4, 2026

Summary

Microglia, the brain's immune cells, exist in diverse states beyond simple pro- or anti-inflammatory roles. Understanding their complex interactions is key to developing new therapies for neuroinflammatory disorders.

Keywords:

Cellular heterogeneity Microglia Neuroimmune crosstalk Neuroinflammation

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Last Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Generating and Co-culturing Murine Primary Microglia and Cortical Neurons

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Isolation of Cortical Microglia with Preserved Immunophenotype and Functionality From Murine Neonates

Isolation of Cortical Microglia with Preserved Immunophenotype and Functionality From Murine Neonates

Published on: January 30, 2014

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Immunology
Cell Biology

Background:

Microglia are the central nervous system's (CNS) resident immune cells, crucial for brain homeostasis and injury response.
Recent single-cell sequencing reveals diverse microglial activation states beyond the classical dichotomy, including disease-associated microglia (DAMs), interferon-responsive microglia (IRMs), and lipid-droplet-accumulating microglia (LDAMs).

Purpose of the Study:

To provide a comprehensive overview of microglial biology, including origin, development, and classification.
To discuss the spectrum of microglial cellular states and their functional roles (neuroprotective vs. neurotoxic).
To explore mechanisms of microglia-mediated neuroinflammation and their interactions within the CNS cellular network.

Main Methods:

Review of recent single-cell sequencing studies.
Analysis of literature on microglial function and neuroinflammation.
Synthesis of information on cell-cell communication within the CNS.

Main Results:

Activated microglia display a spectrum of states, not just a simple pro-/anti-inflammatory dichotomy.
Microglia exhibit plasticity, playing dual neuroprotective or neurotoxic roles depending on disease context.
Microglia are central communicators, interacting with neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and peripheral immune cells.

Conclusions:

Microglia's central role in neuroinflammatory networks and their unique characteristics offer potential for precision therapeutic strategies.
Targeting microglial states and their interactions may lead to novel treatments for neuroinflammatory disorders.