Cited by 584Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration MechanismsMultiple Sclerosis Research StudiesNeurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 187 of the 187 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Microglia and Central Nervous System–Associated Macrophages—From Origin to Disease Modulation

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Abstract

The immune system of the central nervous system (CNS) consists primarily of innate immune cells. These are highly specialized macrophages found either in the parenchyma, called microglia, or at the CNS interfaces, such as leptomeningeal, perivascular, and choroid plexus macrophages. While they were primarily thought of as phagocytes, their function extends well beyond simple removal of cell debris during development and diseases. Brain-resident innate immune cells were found to be plastic, long-lived, and host to an outstanding number of risk genes for multiple pathologies. As a result, they are now considered the most suitable targets for modulating CNS diseases. Additionally, recent single-cell technologies enhanced our molecular understanding of their origins, fates, interactomes, and functional cell statesduring health and perturbation. Here, we review the current state of our understanding and challenges of the myeloid cell biology in the CNS and treatment options for related diseases.

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Crossref · 10.1146/annurev-immunol-093019-110159

Cites

187 of 187 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Microglia are intricately involved in the development of the neuronal architecture of the embryonic brain by phagocytosing excess or apoptotic neuronal progenitor cells, while supporting the survival, proliferation, migration, and maturation of other NPCs and neurons.

    “Microglia are intricately involved in the development of the neuronal architecture of the embryonic brain by phagocytosing excess or apoptotic neuronal progenitor cells (NPCs), while supporting the survival, proliferation, migration, and maturation of other NPCs and neurons ( Figure 1 Top) (13, 24).”

    From The role of microglia in multiple sclerosis: implications for treatment with Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitors (2025) · cites this paper as [13]

    Split into 2 atoms — 1 confirmed, 1 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 0 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Single-cell profiling suggested that CAMs share functions with microglia and astrocytes in maintaining CNS homeostasis and regulating barrier functions.

    “Single-cell profiling suggested functions shared with microglia and astrocytes in maintaining CNS homeostasis [372] and regulating barrier functions [367,378,379,380].”

    From Revisiting the Pathogenesis of X-Linked Adrenoleukodystrophy (2025) · cites this paper as [379]

    The ‘CNS Macrophages as Tissue-Resident Immune Cells’ section says resident immune cells help maintain tissue homeostasis, and the ‘Functions of Microglia and CAMs During Development and Homeostasis’ section describes CAMs as possible regulators of immune responses at CNS borders. But our copy does not say that single-cell profiling identified functions CAMs share with both microglia and astrocytes, or that CAMs regulate barrier functions; it says CAM functions remain poorly understood. Page numbers were not available in the indexed passages. (LLM, conf=0.78)

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  • Peripheral monocytes may infiltrate the brain and give rise to microglia-like cells, partially replacing resident microglia under pathological conditions.

    “peripheral monocytes may infiltrate the brain and give rise to microglia-like cells, partially those that replace resident microglia under pathological conditions [37,38].”

    From Clonal Hematopoiesis of Indeterminate Potential as an Emerging Interdisciplinary Risk Factor in Alzheimer’s Disease: Current Evidence and Future Directions (2026) · cites this paper as [37]

    The Ontogeny and Fate of CNS Macrophages section describes blood- or bone marrow-derived cells engrafting after microglia were genetically depleted or functionally impaired, but does not establish partial replacement under pathological conditions generally. The Myeloid Cells in CNS Inflammation section specifically says that monocytes recruited during EAE do not contribute to the microglial compartment. Page numbers were not available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • CHIP-derived myeloid cells can directly integrate into the central nervous system and may participate actively in neuroimmune processes relevant to AD pathogenesis.

    “This presence confirms that CHIP-derived myeloid cells can directly integrate into the central nervous system and may participate actively in neuroimmune processes relevant to AD pathogenesis [10,37].”

    From Clonal Hematopoiesis of Indeterminate Potential as an Emerging Interdisciplinary Risk Factor in Alzheimer’s Disease: Current Evidence and Future Directions (2026) · cites this paper as [37]

    The Ontogeny and Fate of CNS Macrophages section reports that blood- or bone-marrow-derived myeloid cells can engraft in the CNS, notably after irradiation or microglial depletion. The Myeloid Cells in CNS Inflammation section describes recruited monocytes contributing to inflammation in EAE. Neither passage identifies those cells as CHIP-derived or establishes their participation in Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis. (LLM, conf=0.82)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Microglial cells originate in the yolk sac and migrate to the developing brain at approximately the same time as neurons develop and before other glia appear.

    “Microglial cells originate in the yolk sac and migrate to the developing brain at approximately the same time as the development of neurons is taking place, and before the appearance of other types of glia (13, 24).”

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Citations

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Research works printed but not linked: 8

  1. 10.1007/BF00339193 · DOI
  2. van Furth R, 1972, Bull. World Health Organ., 46, 845
  3. Wieghofer P, 2020, EMBO J
  4. 10.1093/brain/119.2.651 · DOI
  5. 10.1084/jem.194.7.873 · DOI · Paper page
  6. 10.1038/s41586-020-03116-4 · DOI · Paper page
  7. Morais LH, 2020, Nat. Rev. Microbiol
  8. 10.1016/j.immuni.2018.11.004 · DOI · Paper page

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Metadata

Authors
Prinz, M., Masuda, T., Wheeler, M. A., & Quintana, F. J.
Affiliations
  • University of Freiburg (DE)
  • Kyushu University (JP)
  • Broad Institute (US)
Corresponding author
  • Prinz, Marco
  • Masuda, Takahiro
  • Wheeler, Michael A.
  • Quintana, Francisco J.
Venue
Annual Review of Immunology
Published
2021-04-26
Volume
39
Issue
1
Pages
251-277
ISSN
  • 0732-0582 (ISSN-L)
  • 1545-3278
OpenAlex
W3127341444
Cited by
584
References
187
Citations by year
2026: 102 · 2025: 127 · 2024: 129 · 2023: 104 · 2022: 87 · 2021: 35
FWCI
10.46
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Annual Review of Immunology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (20K22687)
  • National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (R01AI126880)
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (F32NS101790, R01NS102807, K99NS114111, R00NS114111)
  • National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (R01ES029136)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Clinical Neurology › Multiple Sclerosis Research Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Developmental Neuroscience › Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
Keywords
microglia, choroid plexus macrophages, perivascular macrophages, microglial plasticity, microglial heterogeneity, single-cell transcriptomics, neuroinflammation
MeSH terms
Animals, Brain, Central Nervous System, Humans, Macrophages, Microglia, Myeloid Cells

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