Microglia
- Author: V. Hugh Perry1
- Editor: Siamon Gordon2
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VIEW AFFILIATIONS HIDE AFFILIATIONSAffiliations: 1: Centre for Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, United Kingdom; 2: Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Received 08 April 2015 Accepted 09 September 2015 Published 27 May 2016
- Correspondence: V. Hugh Perry, [email protected]

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Abstract:
The concept of the immunological privilege of the central nervous system (CNS) has had a profound influence on studies of interactions between the immune system and the CNS. At one time there was considerable debate as to whether there were any cells in the CNS of myeloid origin, but we now know that there are a number of populations of myeloid cells in specialized compartments of the CNS and that there is an ongoing bidirectional dialogue between the CNS and the immune system. We briefly review what we know of the different myeloid populations, in particular the microglia: their phenotype and function; their role in CNS homeostasis; and also their role in pathology, focusing on chronic neurodegeneration.
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Citation: Perry V. 2016. Microglia. Microbiol Spectrum 4(3):MCHD-0003-2015. doi:10.1128/microbiolspec.MCHD-0003-2015.




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Abstract:
The concept of the immunological privilege of the central nervous system (CNS) has had a profound influence on studies of interactions between the immune system and the CNS. At one time there was considerable debate as to whether there were any cells in the CNS of myeloid origin, but we now know that there are a number of populations of myeloid cells in specialized compartments of the CNS and that there is an ongoing bidirectional dialogue between the CNS and the immune system. We briefly review what we know of the different myeloid populations, in particular the microglia: their phenotype and function; their role in CNS homeostasis; and also their role in pathology, focusing on chronic neurodegeneration.

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Figures

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FIGURE 1
Microglia in the outer plexiform layer of the retina of the mouse, illustrating the delicate branching of the processes and the territory occupied by each cell. GFP-labeled cell from a MacGreen mouse with immunocytochemistry. Courtesy of Sallome Murinello.

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FIGURE 2
Electron micrograph of a microglia in the adult mouse cortex immunolabeled with F4/80. The thin rim of cytoplasm and the sparse rough endoplasmic reticulum point to the downregulated phenotype of these cells. Ligands expressed in the CNS (left-hand column) engage receptors expressed on the microglia (right-hand column) that inhibit their activation. Other soluble mediators, including the neurotransmitters acetylcholine (ACh) and noradrenaline (NA), are shown at the top of the figure.

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FIGURE 3
GFP-labeled microglia in the hippocampus of the normal adult mouse (A), and morphologically activated microglia in the hippocampus of a mouse with prion disease (B). Note the greater density of cells, larger cell bodies, and multiple processes of those in panel B compared to panel A. Courtesy of Diego Gomez-Nicola.
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