MICROGLIA-PRECURSOR CELL INTERACTIONS IN HEALTH AND IN PATHOLOGY

[摘要] Until recently, microglia were mainly known as the resident phagocytes of the brain, i.e. the ‘immunologicalwarriors’ of the brain. However, extensive knowledge is being accumulated about the functions of microglia beyondimmunity. Nowadays, it is well accepted that microglial cells are highly dynamic and responsive, and that they intervenein a dual manner in many developmental processes that shape the central nervous system, including neurogenesis,gliogenesis, spatial patterning, synaptic formation and elimination, and neural circuit establishment and maturation.The differentiation and the pool of precursor cells were also shown to be under microglia regulation via bidirectionalcommunication. In this concise review, I discuss our recent work in microglia-Pax6+ cell interactions in one of thecircumventricular organs, the pineal gland. An analogy with the rest of the central nervous system is also presented.In addition, I briefly examine mechanisms of interaction between microglia and non-microglial cells in both healthand disease. New avenues are also introduced, which may lead us to better comprehend the impact of microglia inphysiological and pathological conditions.

[学科分类] 仪器

[关键词] Phagocyte;Phagocytosis;Phagoptosis;Apoptosis;Autophagy