Cited by 94Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration MechanismsNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchNeurological Disease Mechanisms and Treatments

Microglia-orchestrated neuroinflammation and synaptic remodeling: roles of pro-inflammatory cytokines and receptors in neurodegeneration

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Yang, Guang, Xu, Xiao, Gao, Waimao, Wang, Xingyu, Zhao, Yan, Xu, Ying·2025·Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience

Abstract

Microglia, the innate immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS), play essential roles in maintaining neural homeostasis through dynamic interactions with neurons and other brain structures. While their protective functions are well-established, recent studies have illuminated the detrimental consequences of sustained microglial activation in the context of neurodegeneration. In particular, overactivated microglia contribute to neuroinflammation and induce synaptic alterations through the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and engagement of specific receptors. These interactions disrupt synaptic structure and function, compromising connectivity, plasticity, and cognitive processes. Notably, neuronal synapses are primary targets of such inflammation-driven dysfunction, where prolonged exposure to cytokines such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α), and signaling via receptor systems including cluster of differentiation-200 (CD200)/CD200 receptor (CD200R), C-X3-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CX3CL1)/CX3C receptor 1 (CX3CR1), colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF1)/CSF1 receptor (CSF1R), and interferon- γ (IFN-γ)/IFN-γ receptor (IFN-γR), lead to impaired learning, excitotoxicity, and neurodegenerative progression. This review synthesizes emerging evidence on the mechanisms by which microglia-mediated immune responses regulate synaptic remodeling, emphasizing the roles of pro-inflammatory cytokines and their receptors in neurodegenerative disorders.

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Crossref · 10.3389/fncel.2025.1700692

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  • This provides a plausible link between EDC-induced neuroinflammation and large-scale disturbances in connectivity and plasticity.

    “This provides a plausible link between EDC-induced neuroinflammation and large-scale disturbances in connectivity and plasticity (Lara de Deus et al., 2025; Yang et al., 2025).”

    From Environmental endocrine disruptors at the synapse: mechanisms linking chemical exposure to cognitive and behavioral dysfunction (2026) · cites this paper as Yang et al., 2025

    The section ‘Microglia-mediated immune responses regulate synaptic modification’ says chronic CNS inflammation can impair synaptic plasticity, and the Concluding remarks describe disrupted synaptic transmission and neuronal function. These passages support a plausible inflammation-to-synaptic-dysfunction link, but they do not establish that EDCs induce the inflammation or that the disturbances occur at a large-scale connectivity level. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Microglia are essential for synaptic pruning and circuit refinement during development, but chronic inflammatory activation can shift them toward maladaptive synapse elimination and aberrant remodeling.

    “Microglia are essential for synaptic pruning and circuit refinement during development, but chronic inflammatory activation can shift them toward maladaptive synapse elimination and aberrant remodeling.”

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Han T. Qin Y. Mou C. Wang M. Jiang M. Liu B. (2016). Seizure induced synaptic plasticity alteration in hippocampus is mediated by IL-1β receptor through PI3K/Akt pathway. Am. J. Transl. Res. 15, 4499– 4509. PMC5095344 27830035
  2. Ngwa C. Liu F. (2019). CD200-CD200R signaling and diseases: a potential therapeutic target. Int J Physiol Pathophysiol Pharmacol 11, 297– 309. 31993106 PMC6971504

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Authors
Yang, G., Xu, X., Gao, W., Wang, X., Zhao, Y., & Xu, Y.
Affiliations
Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (CN)
Corresponding author
  • Zhao, Yan
  • Xu, Ying
Venue
Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience
Published
2025-11-10
Volume
19
Pages
1700692-1700692
ISSN
1662-5102 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4416096320
Cited by
85
References
234
Citations by year
2026: 83 · 2025: 2
FWCI
8.24
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China
  • China Postdoctoral Science Foundation
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neurological Disease Mechanisms and Treatments
Keywords
microglia, neuroinflammation, synaptic remodeling, inflammatory cytokines, neurodegeneration, IL-1β, interleukin-6, TNF-α, CX3CL1/CX3CR1, excitotoxicity, learning disabilities, neurodegenerative diseases

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