Microglia: Scapegoat, Saboteur, or Something Else?

• Published in: Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Vol. 339; no. 6116; pp. 156 - 161
• Main Authors: Aguzzi, Adriano, Barres, Ben A., Bennett, Mariko L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Association for the Advancement of Science 11-01-2013; The American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Subjects: Activation; Alzheimer Disease - immunology; Alzheimer Disease - physiopathology; Alzheimer Disease - therapy; Animals; Astrocytes; Brain; Cells; Central nervous system diseases; Diseases; Humans; Immunology; Injuries; Macrophages; Mental Disorders - immunology; Mental Disorders - physiopathology; Mental Disorders - therapy; Microglia; Microglia - cytology; Microglia - immunology; Microglia - physiology; Nervous system diseases; Neurodegenerative diseases; Neurodegenerative Diseases - immunology; Neurodegenerative Diseases - physiopathology; Neurodegenerative Diseases - therapy; Neurogenic Inflammation - immunology; Neurogenic Inflammation - physiopathology; Neuroimmunomodulation - physiology; Neurological diseases; Neurological disorders; Neurons; Neuroscience; Prion diseases; Prions; REVIEWS; Spinal cord; Surveillance
• ISSN: 0036-8075; 1095-9203
• DOI: 10.1126/science.1227901

Microglia are resident immune cells in the brain and spinal cord. These cells provide immune surveillance and are mobilized in response to disparate diseases and injuries. Although microglial activation is often considered neurotoxic, microglia are essential defenders against many neurodegenerative diseases. It also seems increasingly likely that microglial dysfunction can underlie certain neurological diseases without an obvious immune component.