The myeloid cells of the central nervous system parenchyma.
A microglial cell is both a glial cell of the central nervous system and a mononuclear phagocyte, which belongs to the haematopoietic system and is involved in inflammatory and immune responses. As such, microglia face a challenging task. The neurons of the central nervous system cannot divide and be replenished, and therefore need to be protected against pathogens, which is a key role of the immune system, but without collateral damage. In addition, after physical injury, neural cells need restorative support, which is provided by inflammatory responses. Excessive or chronic inflammatory responses can, however, be harmful. How microglia balance these demands, and how their behaviour can be modified to ameliorate disorders of the central nervous system, is becoming clear.
Neuroinflammation Research Center (Department of Neurosciences, Lerner Research Institute) and Mellen Center for MS Treatment and Research (Neurological Institute), Cleveland Clinic, Mail Code NC30, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA. ransohr@ccf.org
Richard M
RM
Ransohoff
Astrid E
AE
Cardona
D000818:Animals; D019070:Cell Lineage; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D017628:Microglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D022423:Myeloid Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D010586:Phagocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology