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Immunoregulation of microglial functional properties
Author(s) -
Cross Alison K.,
Woodroofe M. Nicola
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
microscopy research and technique
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.536
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1097-0029
pISSN - 1059-910X
DOI - 10.1002/jemt.1115
Subject(s) - microglia , chemokine , lipopolysaccharide , immunology , neuroinflammation , phagocytosis , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , proteases , central nervous system , chemotaxis , inflammation , parenchyma , proinflammatory cytokine , neuroscience , receptor , biochemistry , botany , enzyme
Microglia are the resident tissue macrophages of the central nervous system (CNS) parenchyma and are key players in the initiation of an inflammatory response. Microglia rapidly transform from a resting to an activated morphology in response to a variety of disease states. However, they can also be the target of infections, as in the case of HIV. Many of the effector properties of microglia can be attributed to the array of substances they secrete in response to stimuli such as bacterial lipopolysaccharide, cytokines, and chemokines. The products of activated microglia include: cytokines (pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory), chemokines, nitric oxide, superoxide radicals, and proteases. Furthermore, microglia have the ability to present antigen to T cells, migrate in response to chemotactic stimuli, and phagocytose cell debris. This report focuses on the immunomodulatory functions of microglia, with particular attention to chemokines, and highlights their pivotal role in the CNS. Microsc. Res. Tech. 54:10–17, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.