title: Microglia Plasticity During Health and Disease: An Immunological Perspective.
abstract: Microglia are macrophages of the central nervous system (CNS) that continuously scrutinize their environment for damage. They colonize the cephalic mesenchyme during embryogenesis and actively shape the developing neuronal network by immune-mediated mechanisms. Upon CNS maturation, microglia drastically change phenotype and function. During health, adult microglia contribute to homeostasis, but also the establishment and resolution of inflammatory conditions. Fulfillment of these distinct tasks requires these long-lived cells to accurately adjust to their changing environment. Deciphering microglia responsiveness to divergent stimuli is central to understanding this cell type and for eventual microglia manipulation to potentially reduce disease burden. Here we discuss new aspects of myeloid cell biology in general with special emphasis on the shifting role of microglia during establishment and protection of CNS integrity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
authors.forename: Anat
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shemer
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neuropathology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Erny
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel. Electronic address: s.jung@weizmann.ac.il.
authors.forename: Steffen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neuropathology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany; BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany. Electronic address: marco.prinz@uniklinik-freiburg.de.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prinz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D017628:Microglia / Q000502:physiology*; D015213:Neuroimmunomodulation