Origin of microglia: current concepts and past controversies
Open accessAbstract
Microglia are the resident macrophages of the central nervous system (CNS), which sit in close proximity to neural structures and are intimately involved in brain homeostasis. The microglial population also plays fundamental roles during neuronal expansion and differentiation, as well as in the perinatal establishment of synaptic circuits. Any change in the normal brain environment results in microglial activation, which can be detrimental if not appropriately regulated. Aberrant microglial function has been linked to the development of several neurological and psychiatric diseases. However, microglia also possess potent immunoregulatory and regenerative capacities, making them attractive targets for therapeutic manipulation. Such rationale manipulations will, however, require in-depth knowledge of their origins and the molecular mechanisms underlying their homeostasis. Here, we discuss the latest advances in our understanding of the origin, differentiation, and homeostasis of microglial cells and their myelomonocytic relatives in the CNS.
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In mice, microglia undergo a step-wise maturation program synchronized with brain developmental phases.
“In mice, microglia undergo a step-wise program of maturation that is synchronized with the developmental phases of the brain [13, 14]”
From Transcriptional and Epigenetic Regulation of Microglia in Health and Disease (2019) · cites this paper as [14]
Microglia are the resident mononuclear phagocytes of the CNS and play key roles in immune surveillance and defense, synaptic remodeling, and homeostasis.
“Microglia, the resident mononuclear phagocytes of the CNS, play key roles in immune surveillance and defense [39], synaptic remodeling [40], and homeostasis [41].”
From Untangling senescent and damage‐associated microglia in the aging and diseased brain (2023) · cites this paper as [41]
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“5 in mice [2] and infiltrate the brain before the closure of the blood-brain barrier.”
BackgroundUntangling senescent and damage‐associated microglia in the aging and diseased brain
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- Authors
- Ginhoux, F., & Prinz, M.
- Affiliations
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research (SG)
- University of Freiburg (DE)
- Venue
- Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology
- Publisher
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
- Published
- 2015-07-01
- Volume
- 7
- Issue
- 8
- Pages
- a020537
- ISSN
- 1943-0264 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC4526747
- OpenAlex
- W2100533805
- Cited by
- 446
- References
- 128
- Citations by year
- 2026: 28 · 2025: 43 · 2024: 56 · 2023: 41 · 2022: 54 · 2021: 48 · 2020: 59 · 2019: 33 · 2018: 39 · 2017: 24 · 2016: 16 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 1
- Type
- posted content
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- FreiDok plus (Universitätsbibliothek Freiburg) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB 992, FOR1336)
- Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung
- Fritz Thyssen Stiftung
- Gemeinnützige Hertie-Stiftung
- 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 origin, microglial differentiation, microglial homeostasis, myelomonocytic cells, microglial activation, neuroinflammation, immune regulation, nerve regeneration, brain development
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Homeostasis, Humans, Biomarkers, Microglia
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