Cited by 226Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration MechanismsNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchSingle-cell and spatial transcriptomics

Microglia and Astrocytes in Disease: Dynamic Duo or Partners in Crime?

Liddelow, Shane A., Marsh, Samuel E., Stevens, Beth·2020·Trends in Immunology

Abstract

Microglia-astrocyte interactions represent a delicate balance affecting neural cell functions in health and disease. Tightly controlled to maintain homeostasis during physiological conditions, rapid and prolonged departures during disease, infection, and following trauma drive multiple outcomes: both beneficial and detrimental. Recent sequencing studies at the bulk and single-cell level in humans and rodents provide new insight into microglia-astrocyte communication in homeostasis and disease. However, the complex changing ways these two cell types functionally interact has been a barrier to understanding disease initiation, progression, and disease mechanisms. Single cell sequencing is providing new insights; however, many questions remain. Here, we discuss how to bridge transcriptional states to specific functions so we can develop therapies to mediate negative effects of altered microglia-astrocyte interactions.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.it.2020.07.006

Cites

155 of 155 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Most currently available human snRNA-seq datasets are limited by both the proportion of microglia per sample and the dramatically lower sensitivity of earlier single-cell chemistries/nuclei isolation protocols.

    “Most currently available human snRNA-seq datasets are limited by both the proportion of microglia per sample81 and the dramatically lower sensitivity of earlier single-cell chemistries/nuclei isolation protocols (Supplementary Note 6).”
  • Astrocytes are key regulators of synaptic homeostasis, metabolic support, and neuroinflammation, and are implicated in neurodegenerative disease processes.

    “Astrocytes, as key regulators of synaptic homeostasis, metabolic support, and neuroinflammation, are particularly sensitive to changes in the neuronal environment and have been implicated in numerous neurodegenerative disease processes [112–114].”
  • Amyloid plaque formation is typically accompanied by gliosis.

    “Although the causal link between Aβ accumulation and gliosis remains unclear, amyloid plaque formation is typically accompanied by gliosis.”
  • The overall progression suggests a sequence of events in which early microglial activation at low levels of pathology triggers reactive astrocytes and potentially oligodendrocyte loss.

    “Putting these two epochs together, the overall progression suggests a sequence of events in which early microglial activation at low levels of pathology triggers reactive astrocytes and potentially oligodendrocyte loss96.”

    From Integrated multimodal cell atlas of Alzheimer’s disease (2024) · cites this paper as [96]

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Authors
Liddelow, S. A., Marsh, S. E., & Stevens, B.
Affiliations
  • NYU Langone Health (US)
  • Broad Institute (US)
Corresponding author
  • Liddelow, Shane A.
  • Marsh, Samuel E.
  • Stevens, Beth
Venue
Trends in Immunology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2020-09
Volume
41
Issue
9
Pages
820-835
ISSN
1471-4906 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3049318948
Cited by
226
References
155
Citations by year
2026: 21 · 2025: 33 · 2024: 34 · 2023: 38 · 2022: 48 · 2021: 44 · 2020: 8
FWCI
3.44
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Trends in Immunology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Cure Alzheimer's Fund
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics
Keywords
microglia, astrocytes, astrocyte-microglia interaction, neuroinflammation, brain homeostasis, single-cell transcriptomics, disease mechanisms, infection, trauma (physical injury), therapeutic target
MeSH terms
Animals, Astrocytes, Cell Communication, Homeostasis, Humans, Nervous System Diseases, Neurons, Microglia

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