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Cited by 450Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration MechanismsNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchNeurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms

Astrocytes and microglia: In sickness and in health

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Vainchtein, Ilia D., Molofsky, Anna V.·2020·Trends in Neurosciences
DOI 10.1016/j.tins.2020.01.003PMC PMC7472912
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Abstract

Healthy central nervous system (CNS) development and function require an intricate and balanced bidirectional communication between neurons and glia cells. In this review, we discuss the complementary roles of astrocytes and microglia in building the brain, including in the formation and refinement of synapses. We discuss recent evidence demonstrating how these interactions are coordinated in the transition from healthy physiology towards disease and discuss known and potential molecular mechanisms that mediate this cellular crosstalk.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.tins.2020.01.003

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  • Microglia and astrocytes do not initiate inflammatory responses independently.

    “Microglia and astrocytes do not initiate inflammatory responses independently [407].”

    From Revisiting the Pathogenesis of X-Linked Adrenoleukodystrophy (2025) · cites this paper as [407]

    In “The bond between astrocytes and microglia” (page unavailable), the review says the cells seem to respond almost as one unit when the brain is perturbed. “Cytokine and growth factors in injury and inflammation” describes microglial cytokines inducing a reactive astrocyte phenotype. These passages support coordination, but not the categorical claim that neither cell type initiates inflammatory responses independently. (LLM, conf=0.84)

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Cited by

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Authors
Vainchtein, I. D., & Molofsky, A. V.
Affiliations
University of California, San Francisco (US)
Corresponding author
Molofsky, Anna V.
ORCID
Venue
Trends in Neurosciences
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2020-03
Volume
43
Issue
3
Pages
144-154
ISSN
0166-2236 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.tins.2020.01.003
PMC
PMC7472912
OpenAlex
W3005292279
Cited by
450
References
40
Citations by year
2026: 40 · 2025: 71 · 2024: 67 · 2023: 80 · 2022: 77 · 2021: 74 · 2020: 40
FWCI
6.77
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Trends in Neurosciences (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • PEW Charitable Trusts
  • National Institutes of Health
  • Burroughs Wellcome Fund
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Developmental Neuroscience › Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
Keywords
astrocytes, microglia, neuron-glia interactions, synaptogenesis, synapse refinement, central nervous system development, neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration
MeSH terms
Astrocytes, Humans, Neuroglia, Neurons, Synapses, Microglia

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