title: Microglia in CNS development: Shaping the brain for the future.
abstract: Microglial cells are the resident macrophages of the central nervous system (CNS) and are mainly known for their roles in neuropathologies. However, major recent developments have revealed that these immune cells actively interact with neurons in physiological conditions and can modulate the fate and functions of synapses. Originating from myeloid precursors born in the yolk sac, microglial cells invade the CNS during early embryonic development. As a consequence they can potentially influence neuronal proliferation, migration and differentiation as well as the formation and maturation of neuronal networks, thereby contributing to the entire shaping of the CNS. We review here recent evidence indicating that microglial cells are indeed involved in crucial steps of the CNS development, including neuronal survival and apoptosis, axonal growth, migration of neurons, pruning of supernumerary synapses and functional maturation of developing synapses. We also discuss current hypotheses proposing that diverting microglial cells of their physiological functions, by promoting the expression of an immune phenotype during development, may be central to neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, schizophrenia and epilepsy.
authors.affiliation: Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1128 Paris, France; Laboratory of Neurophysiology and New Microscopies, Paris Descartes University, France.
authors.forename: Coralie-Anne
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Mosser
authors.affiliation: Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1128 Paris, France; Laboratory of Neurophysiology and New Microscopies, Paris Descartes University, France.
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baptista
authors.affiliation: Johannes Gutenberg University, Institute of Microscopic Anatomy and Neurobiology, Focus Group Translational Neuroscience, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Arnoux
authors.affiliation: Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1128 Paris, France; Laboratory of Neurophysiology and New Microscopies, Paris Descartes University, France. Electronic address: etienne.audinat@parisdescartes.fr.
authors.forename: Etienne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Audinat
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000254:growth & development*; D006801:Humans; D017628:Microglia / Q000502:physiology*; D065886:Neurodevelopmental Disorders / Q000209:etiology*
keywords: Inflammation; Macrophage; Neurodevelopmental disorder; Neuron; Pre- and postnatal development; Synapse