microglia (Hortega cell)
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Introduction
Brain mononuclear phagocytes with functions similar to tissue macrophages:
Function
- phagocytosis
- antigen presentation
- production of: (see proteins expressed by microglia)
Microglia populate the brain early in fetal development & persist as long-lived cells. They mature in the brain parenchyma & display a quiescent phenotype.
Pathology
- IFN-gamma activates microglia
- A4 amyloid peptide (A-beta) activates microglia; A-beta stimulation of microglia are mediated by:
- AGE-receptor (RAGE)
- scavenger receptors
- other factors
Comparative biology
- West Nile virus infection of neurons triggers activation of the complement cascade within the hippocampus of mice[2]
- microglia then trim presynaptic terminals in response to complement activation (neurons remain viable)
- CX3CR1-positive microglia in mice associate with brain capillaries
More general terms
Additional terms
- A4 amyloid peptide; beta-peptide
- advanced glycosylation end product [AGE] receptor (AGER, RAGE)
- proteins expressed by microglia
- scavenger receptor
References
- ↑ Benveniste et al, Neurochemistry International 39:381, 2001
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Vasek MJ, Garber C, Dorsey D et al A complement-microglial axis drives synapse loss during virus- induced memory impairment. Nature. 2016 Jun 22;534(7608):538-43. PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27337340
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Bisht K, Okojie KA, Sharma K et al Capillary-associated microglia regulate vascular structure and function through PANX1-P2RY12 coupling in mice. Nature Communications, 2021; Sep 6;12(1):5289 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34489419 PMCID: PMC8421455 Free PMC article