Journal
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
Volume 22, Issue 11, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115818
Keywords
microglia; neurodegeneration; neuroinflammation
Funding
- Division National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, USA [Z01 ES021164]
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Changes in microglia are commonly associated with neurodegeneration, but it is not clear if they initiate the process. Communication between microglia and neurons helps maintain the cells in a surveillance state, suggesting a partnership role rather than an initiating one in neurodegeneration.
A change in microglia structure, signaling, or function is commonly associated with neurodegeneration. This is evident in the patient population, animal models, and targeted in vitro assays. While there is a clear association, it is not evident that microglia serve as an initiator of neurodegeneration. Rather, the dynamics imply a close interaction between the various cell types and structures in the brain that orchestrate the injury and repair responses. Communication between microglia and neurons contributes to the physiological phenotype of microglia maintaining cells in a surveillance state and allows the cells to respond to events occurring in their environment. Interactions between microglia and astrocytes is not as well characterized, nor are interactions with other members of the neurovascular unit; however, given the influence of systemic factors on neuroinflammation and disease progression, such interactions likely represent significant contributes to any neurodegenerative process. In addition, they offer multiple target sites/processes by which environmental exposures could contribute to neurodegenerative disease. Thus, microglia at least play a role as a significant other with an equal partnership; however, claiming a role as an initiator of neurodegeneration remains somewhat controversial.
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