Bidirectional interactions between temperature and microglia: Implications for brain function and disease

Temperature profoundly influences brain physiology and pathology. Accumulating evidence indicates that microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system, are highly sensitive to temperature changes. Experimental evidence indicates that temperature modulates microglial motility, inflammatory signaling, and phagocytic activity through thermosensitive ion channels and, potentially, through broader biophysical mechanisms. In parallel, advances in intracellular thermometry have revealed the potential for local heat generation within organelles and heat propagation between subcellular compartments, raising the possibility that temperature may function not only as a consequence of cellular activity but also as a biologically meaningful signal. Although direct evidence for microglial heat generation remains limited, the unique metabolic and lysosomal activities of microglia make them a compelling target for investigating how local thermal dynamics are generated and regulated within the brain. In this review, we summarize current knowledge regarding the bidirectional relationship between temperature and microglial biology. We discuss temperature-dependent microglial responses and their underlying mechanisms, examine temperature dynamics in physiological and pathological conditions, and review recent advances in thermal measurement and interventions. Finally, we highlight key unresolved questions and future directions for understanding temperature-microglia interactions and their therapeutic implications.