title: Resting microglial motility is independent of synaptic plasticity in mammalian brain.
abstract: Microglia are well known for their roles in brain injuries and infections. However, there is no function attributes to resting microglia thus far. Here we performed a combination of simultaneous electrophysiology and time-lapse confocal imaging in green fluorescent protein-labeled microglia in acute hippocampal slices. In contrast to CA1 neurons, microglia showed no spontaneous or evoked synaptic currents. Neither glutamate- nor GABA-induced current/chemotaxis of microglia was detected. Strong tetanic stimulation of Schaffer-collateral pathways that induce CA1 long-term potentiation did not affect microglial motilities. Our results suggest that microglia are highly reserved for neuronal protective function but not synaptic plasticity in the brain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of Toronto Centre for the Study of Pain, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Long-Jun
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhuo
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D000073883:CX3C Chemokine Receptor 1; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005260:Female; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D017774:Long-Term Potentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D017628:Microglia / Q000502:physiology*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine / Q000235:genetics; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000073883:CX3C Chemokine Receptor 1; C471885:Cx3cr1 protein, mouse; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate