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The Physiological and Pathological Roles of Microglia-Neuron Interactions in the Central Nervous System

Institutions: Department of Neuroscience, University of Washington; Department of Computer Science, University of Washington; Department of Neurology, University of Washington; Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Published onJan 31, 2021
The Physiological and Pathological Roles of Microglia-Neuron Interactions in the Central Nervous System

Microglia are the resident macrophages of the central nervous system (CNS). Numerous lines of research support a high frequency of microglia-neuron interactions in the brain and spinal cord. Often, interactions between microglia and neurons correspond with changes in individual synaptic strength, as assessed by neural activity, as well as synaptic or neuronal lifespan. Microglia-neuron interactions also contribute to large scale remodeling of neural networks during development and learning. This review first summarizes the relevant literature on the presence of microglia-neuron interactions in the resting state and how these interactions can mediate synaptic formation, neurogenesis, synaptic pruning, and synaptic strengthening or weakening. This review will then discuss how dysfunction in signaling mechanisms between microglia and neurons may lead to disease states, with examples from neurodegeneration, epilepsy, and psychiatric disorders.

Keywords: Multipartite Synapse; Microglia Surveillance; Filopodia Formation; Phagocytosis; Synaptic Pruning; Neurogenesis; Neuroinflammation; Synaptic Plasticity; Neurodegeneration; Epilepsy; Psychiatric Disorders

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