Microglia
Microglia
Microglia are the resident macrophages of the brain parenchyma (1). Although it has long been known that microglia are of myeloid lineage, based on immunocytochemical detection of macrophage-restricted antigens (2), it has only relatively recently been shown, by fate mapping studies, that these cells are of yolk sac origin and enter the developing neuroepithelium of the central nervous system (CNS) in the embryo (3). They are present throughout the length of the neuraxis, characterized by their fine processes emanating from a small cell body, and each cell appears to occupy its own territory. The morphology of microglia and their territorial behavior is well illustrated in retina whole mounts (Fig. 1). The density and morphology of the microglia vary between distinct functional divisions of the CNS, with the lowest density found in the cerebellum and perhaps the highest density in the substantia nigra (4). These regional differences have been well studied in rodents, the most common experimental animal models, and although similar regional differences are seen in the human brain, there are some notable differences. In the rodent brain, the microglia are denser in gray matter than in white matter, while in the human brain, the microglia are denser in the large-fiber tracts that dominate the larger brain (5).
Central nervous system, Green fluorescent protein, Microglia, Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Prion disease
225-233
Perry, V. Hugh
8f29d36a-8e1f-4082-8700-09483bbaeae4
February 2017
Perry, V. Hugh
8f29d36a-8e1f-4082-8700-09483bbaeae4
Perry, V. Hugh
(2017)
Microglia.
In,
Gordon, Siamon
(ed.)
Myeloid Cells in Health and Disease: A Synthesis.
(ASM Books)
Wiley, .
(doi:10.1128/9781555819194.ch12).
Record type:
Book Section
Abstract
Microglia are the resident macrophages of the brain parenchyma (1). Although it has long been known that microglia are of myeloid lineage, based on immunocytochemical detection of macrophage-restricted antigens (2), it has only relatively recently been shown, by fate mapping studies, that these cells are of yolk sac origin and enter the developing neuroepithelium of the central nervous system (CNS) in the embryo (3). They are present throughout the length of the neuraxis, characterized by their fine processes emanating from a small cell body, and each cell appears to occupy its own territory. The morphology of microglia and their territorial behavior is well illustrated in retina whole mounts (Fig. 1). The density and morphology of the microglia vary between distinct functional divisions of the CNS, with the lowest density found in the cerebellum and perhaps the highest density in the substantia nigra (4). These regional differences have been well studied in rodents, the most common experimental animal models, and although similar regional differences are seen in the human brain, there are some notable differences. In the rodent brain, the microglia are denser in gray matter than in white matter, while in the human brain, the microglia are denser in the large-fiber tracts that dominate the larger brain (5).
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e-pub ahead of print date: 12 January 2017
Published date: February 2017
Additional Information:
Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 American Society for Microbiology, Washington, DC.
Keywords:
Central nervous system, Green fluorescent protein, Microglia, Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Prion disease
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Local EPrints ID: 476536
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/476536
PURE UUID: 8290949b-58d7-4d77-87bd-b09398b6c59c
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Date deposited: 05 May 2023 16:34
Last modified: 17 Mar 2024 00:22
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Editor:
Siamon Gordon
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