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Microglial cell origin and phenotypes in health and disease

Microglial cell origin and phenotypes in health and disease In the central nervous system, microglia have important roles in maintaining tissue homeostasis and responding to infection and injury. Microglia in the brain parenchyma originate from primitive macrophages in the yolk sac and form a population that is distinct from bone marrow-derived macrophages. Microglia can exhibit distinct phenotypes depending on context. These include a quiescent phenotype under normal conditions, a 'classically activated' phenotype in the setting of infection and injury, and an 'alternatively activated' phenotype that is associated with brain tumours. A mild form of a classically activated microglial cell phenotype is frequently observed in the context of chronic neurodegenerative diseases and may be associated with the production of neurotoxic mediators. Alternatively activated microglia are associated with gliomas and are characterized by an immunosuppressive phenotype and the production of mediators that support tumour invasion. Mechanisms that maintain a quiescent phenotype under normal conditions and promote the resolution of classical activation states are regulated by cell–cell communication with neurons and other glial cells, by anti-inflammatory cytokines and by endogenous hormones that are generated locally within the CNS and act by regulating nuclear hormone receptors. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Nature Reviews Immunology Springer Journals

Microglial cell origin and phenotypes in health and disease

Saijo, Kaoru; Glass, Christopher K.
Nature Reviews Immunology , Volume 11 (11) – Oct 25, 2011
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References (131)

Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © 2011 by Nature Publishing Group, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Subject
Biomedicine; Biomedicine, general; Immunology
ISSN
1474-1733
eISSN
1474-1741
DOI
10.1038/nri3086
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

In the central nervous system, microglia have important roles in maintaining tissue homeostasis and responding to infection and injury. Microglia in the brain parenchyma originate from primitive macrophages in the yolk sac and form a population that is distinct from bone marrow-derived macrophages. Microglia can exhibit distinct phenotypes depending on context. These include a quiescent phenotype under normal conditions, a 'classically activated' phenotype in the setting of infection and injury, and an 'alternatively activated' phenotype that is associated with brain tumours. A mild form of a classically activated microglial cell phenotype is frequently observed in the context of chronic neurodegenerative diseases and may be associated with the production of neurotoxic mediators. Alternatively activated microglia are associated with gliomas and are characterized by an immunosuppressive phenotype and the production of mediators that support tumour invasion. Mechanisms that maintain a quiescent phenotype under normal conditions and promote the resolution of classical activation states are regulated by cell–cell communication with neurons and other glial cells, by anti-inflammatory cytokines and by endogenous hormones that are generated locally within the CNS and act by regulating nuclear hormone receptors.

Journal

Nature Reviews Immunology – Springer Journals

Published: Oct 25, 2011

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