Microglia plasticity during health and disease: An immunological perspective
Abstract
Microglia are macrophages of the central nervous system (CNS) that continuously scrutinize their environment for damage. They colonize the cephalic mesenchyme during embryogenesis and actively shape the developing neuronal network by immune-mediated mechanisms. Upon CNS maturation, microglia drastically change phenotype and function. During health, adult microglia contribute to homeostasis, but also the establishment and resolution of inflammatory conditions. Fulfillment of these distinct tasks requires these long-lived cells to accurately adjust to their changing environment. Deciphering microglia responsiveness to divergent stimuli is central to understanding this cell type and for eventual microglia manipulation to potentially reduce disease burden. Here we discuss new aspects of myeloid cell biology in general with special emphasis on the shifting role of microglia during establishment and protection of CNS integrity.
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Microglia present antigens to immune cells, inducing CNS inflammation.
“Microglia also present antigens to immune cells, inducing CNS inflammation [346].”
From Revisiting the Pathogenesis of X-Linked Adrenoleukodystrophy (2025) · cites this paper as [346]
Microglia are the resident macrophage population of the central nervous system that perform functions required for typical development, homeostasis, plasticity, immunity and repair.
“Microglia are the resident macrophage population of the central nervous system (CNS) that perform functions required for typical development, as well as homeostasis, plasticity, immunity and repair (1–5).”
From An environment-dependent transcriptional network specifies human microglia identity (2017) · cites this paper as [3]
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- Authors
- Shemer, A., Erny, D., Jung, S., & Prinz, M.
- Affiliations
- Weizmann Institute of Science (IL)
- University of Freiburg (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Jung, Steffen
- Prinz, Marco
- Venue
- Trends in Immunology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2015-10
- Volume
- 36
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- 614-624
- ISSN
- 1471-4906 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1862817708
- Cited by
- 168
- References
- 40
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 27 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 2
- FWCI
- 1.49
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Trends in Immunology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- FreiDok plus (Universitätsbibliothek Freiburg) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Developmental Neuroscience › Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Multiple Sclerosis Research Studies
- Keywords
- microglia, microglial plasticity, CNS homeostasis, neuroinflammation, central nervous system development, myeloid cells, microglial phenotype, neuroprotection
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Central Nervous System, Central Nervous System Diseases, Homeostasis, Humans, Macrophages, Neuroimmunomodulation, Microglia
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