Morphological study of microglia in human mesencephalon during the development and aging
T Wierzba-Bobrowicz1, E Gwiazda, Z Poszwińska
1Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warszawa.
Folia Neuropathologica
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Human fetal brain development reveals early microglial cell presence and structural changes. Microglia, crucial immune cells, appear by the 8th gestational week, transitioning from amoeboid to ramified forms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Microglia are the primary immune cells of the central nervous system.
- Understanding microglial development is crucial for comprehending brain development and neurological disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cytogenesis and structural characteristics of microglial cells during human fetal development.
- To track the morphological changes of microglia in the mesencephalon from early gestation to adulthood.
Main Methods:
- Studied mesencephalons from 47 human fetuses (7th-40th week gestational age) and 18 adult brains (20-70 years).
- Utilized immunohistochemical (RCA-1) and histochemical (ferritin) techniques for microglial identification.
- Characterized microglial cells based on morphological criteria.
Main Results:
- RCA-1 positive cells, primarily amoeboid microglial cells, were detected as early as the 8th gestational week.
- These early microglia were found around the germinal matrix and near blood vessels.
- By the 16th-40th gestational week, both amoeboid and ramified RCA-1 positive, ferritin-reactive microglial cells were observed in the mesencephalon.
Conclusions:
- Microglial cells are present and morphologically dynamic during early human fetal development.
- The observed changes in microglial morphology suggest distinct functional roles during different developmental stages.
- This study provides insights into the developmental timeline of microglia in the human brain.
