Factors regulating microglia activation

23.04.2013

Kierdorf K, Prinz M

Front Cell Neurosci. 2013;7:44

Front Cell Neurosci.         online article

Microglia are the resident tissue macrophages of the central nervous system (CNS), showing high functional similarities to other macrophages all over the body. However, especially in the CNS it is very important to create and maintain an intact tissue homoestasis to support the neuronal cells, which are very sensitive to even minor changes in their environment. The transition from the “resting” but surveying microglial phenotype to an activated stage is tightly regulated by several intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Under physiological conditions, already minor changes of those factors may lead to fatal dysregulation of microglial cell homoestasis and finally result in severe CNS pathologies. Here we discuss recent achievements that gave new insides into mechanisms ensuring microglia quiescence.