Cited by 657Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration MechanismsIL-33, ST2, and ILC PathwaysNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research

Astrocyte-derived interleukin-33 promotes microglial synapse engulfment and neural circuit development

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Vainchtein, Ilia D., Chin, Gregory, Cho, Frances S., Kelley, Kevin W., Miller, John G., Chien, Elliott C., Liddelow, Shane A., Nguyen, Phi T. +8 more·2018·Science

Abstract

Neuronal synapse formation and remodeling are essential to central nervous system (CNS) development and are dysfunctional in neurodevelopmental diseases. Innate immune signals regulate tissue remodeling in the periphery, but how this affects CNS synapses is largely unknown. Here, we show that the interleukin-1 family cytokine interleukin-33 (IL-33) is produced by developing astrocytes and is developmentally required for normal synapse numbers and neural circuit function in the spinal cord and thalamus. We find that IL-33 signals primarily to microglia under physiologic conditions, that it promotes microglial synapse engulfment, and that it can drive microglial-dependent synapse depletion in vivo. These data reveal a cytokine-mediated mechanism required to maintain synapse homeostasis during CNS development.

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  • Many of the genes observed to be upregulated during aging, such as interleukins and complement proteins, have been shown to play a crucial role in regulating neural circuit organization and function via interactions between neurons and non-neuronal cells during development.

    “Many of the genes that we observed to be upregulated during aging, such as interleukins and complement proteins, have been shown to play a crucial role in regulating neural circuit organization and function via interactions between neurons and non-neuronal cells during development.54,61”

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Authors
Vainchtein, I. D., Chin, G., Cho, F. S., Kelley, K. W., Miller, J. G., Chien, E. C., Liddelow, S. A., Nguyen, P. T., Nakao-Inoue, H., Dorman, L. C., Akil, O., Joshita, S., Barres, B. A., Paz, J. T., Molofsky, A. B., & Molofsky, A. V.
Affiliations
  • University of California, San Francisco (US)
  • Gladstone Institutes (US)
  • Stanford University (US)
  • Shinshu University (JP)
Corresponding author
  • Vainchtein, Ilia D.
  • Chin, Gregory
  • Molofsky, Ari B.
  • Molofsky, Anna V.
Venue
Science
Published
2018-03-16
Volume
359
Issue
6381
Pages
1269-1273
ISSN
  • 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
  • 1095-9203
OpenAlex
W2787301818
Cited by
657
References
48
Citations by year
2026: 75 · 2025: 84 · 2024: 93 · 2023: 91 · 2022: 86 · 2021: 80 · 2020: 77 · 2019: 39 · 2018: 28
FWCI
25.19
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Science (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • National Science Foundation
  • National Institutes of Health (R01NS096369)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (K08MH104417)
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (K08 DK101604)
  • Burroughs Wellcome Fund (1014757)
  • Brain and Behavior Research Foundation
  • Larry L. Hillblom Foundation
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › IL-33, ST2, and ILC Pathways
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
Keywords
IL-33, astrocytes, microglia, synapse engulfment, neural circuit development, innate immunity, spinal cord, thalamus, cytokine signaling, neurodevelopmental disorders
MeSH terms
Interleukin-33, Animals, Astrocytes, Central Nervous System, Homeostasis, Nerve Net, Synapses, Thalamus, Microglia, Mice, Knockout, Mice, Neurogenesis, Sensorimotor Cortex

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