title: Dynamic structural remodelling of microglia in health and disease: a review of the models, the signals and the mechanisms.
abstract: Microglia are unique cells within the central nervous system because of their biophysical independence. As a result of this unusual property the cells must undergo significant structural remodelling in order to engage and connect with other elements within the central nervous system. Efficient remodelling is required for all activities that microglia are involved in ranging from monitoring synaptic information flow through to phagocytosis of tissue debris. Despite the fact that morphological remodelling is a pre-requisite to all microglial activities, relatively little research has been undertaken on the topic. This review examines what is known about how microglia transform themselves during development, under physiological conditions in response to changes in neuronal activity, and under pathological circumstances. Specific attention is given to exploring a variety of models that have been proposed to account for microglial transformation as well as the signals that are known to trigger these transformations.
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Australia; Centre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: Rohan.Walker@newcastle.edu.au.
authors.forename: F Rohan
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Australia; Centre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Sarah B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Beynon
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Australia; Centre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Kimberley A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Australia; Centre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Zidan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Australia; Centre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Ratchaniporn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kongsui
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Australia; Centre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Murray
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cairns
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Australia; Centre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nilsson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D017628:Microglia / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000473:pathology
keywords: Amoeboid microglia; Chronic stress; Glia; Glutamate; Microglia; Microglia morphology; Neuron