Cell biological properties of microglia and its role in neurons regulation / 基础医学与临床

ABSTRACT

Microglia are resident immune cells within the brain parenchyma. In physiological conditions,microglia are highly dynamic, expressing multiple immune receptors and neurotransmitter receptors, tightly monitoring the microenvironment of central nervous system (CNS). Recent researches have revealed that these immune cells ac-tively modulate the functions of neurons,which potentially affecting neuronal activity and synaptic pruning,contrib-ute to synaptic plasticity and preventing neurotoxicity. The functional changes of microglia play an important role in the development,maturation and degeneration of the brain.