Neonatal microglia: The cornerstone of brain fate.
Microglia, mainly known for their role in innate immunity and modulation of neuroinflammation, play an active role in central nervous system development and homeostasis. Depending on the context and environmental stimuli, microglia adopt a broad spectrum of activation status from pro-inflammatory, associated with neurotoxicity, to anti-inflammatory linked to neuroprotection. Pro-inflammatory microglial activation is a key hallmark of white matter injury in preterm infants and is involved in developmental origin of adult neurological diseases. Characterization of neonatal microglia function in brain development and inflammation has allowed the investigation of promising therapeutic targets with potential long-lasting neuroprotective effects. True prevention of neuro-degenerative diseases might eventually occur as early as the perinatal period.
Sainte-Justine Hospital and Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Université de Montréal, 3175 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Wyston C
WC
Pierre
Perinatal Center, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden.
Peter L P
PLP
Smith
Sainte-Justine Hospital and Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Université de Montréal, 3175 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Irène
I
Londono
Sainte-Justine Hospital and Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Université de Montréal, 3175 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Departments of Ophtalmology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Departments of Pharmacology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Sylvain
S
Chemtob
Perinatal Center, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden.
Carina
C
Mallard
Sainte-Justine Hospital and Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Université de Montréal, 3175 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Montreal Heart Institute, 5000 Rue Bélanger, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Departments of Pharmacology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Electronic address: ga.lodygensky@umontreal.ca.
Gregory A
GA
Lodygensky
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology; D017628:Microglia / Q000473:pathology*
Inflammation; Microglia; Neurodevelopment; Prematurity; Therapeutics; White matter injury