Microglia in diseases of the central nervous system

Abstract

Microglia (MG) are enigmatic cells of the central nervous Microglia (MG) are enigmatic cells of the central nervous system (CNS).MG are morphologically, antigenically and system (CNS).MG are morphologically, antigenically and functionally exible, and have the potential for mobility and functionally exible, and have the potential for mobility and proliferation.MG are professional antigen-presenting cells proliferation.MG are professional antigen-presenting cells and constitute part of the local CNS innate immune system, and constitute part of the local CNS innate immune system, communicating with other immune cells communicating with other immune cells via via chemokines, chemokines, cytokines and growth factors.MG contain several antigenic cytokines and growth factors.MG contain several antigenic and functional markers similar to macrophages and den-and functional markers similar to macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs), but also present several differences from dritic cells (DCs), but also present several differences from DCs.The exact role(s) played by MG in the normal human DCs.The exact role(s) played by MG in the normal human CNS is the topic of lively debate.MG participate in many CNS is the topic of lively debate.MG participate in many reactive processes in the CNS and are therefore an integral reactive processes in the CNS and are therefore an integral part of lesions in a variety of pathologic conditions.It is part of lesions in a variety of pathologic conditions.It is thought that MG may exacerbate diverse neurological thought that MG may exacerbate diverse neurological conditions, including viral encephalitis, AIDS, Multiple conditions, including viral encephalitis, AIDS, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Alzheimer's disease.A recurrent theme Sclerosis (MS) and Alzheimer's disease.A recurrent theme is the perpetuation by MG of pathological cycles of is the perpetuation by MG of pathological cycles of monocyte recruitment, activation and cytopathic secretions, monocyte recruitment, activation and cytopathic secretions, and/or auto antigen presentation.and/or auto antigen presentation.