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The role of CNS macrophages in streptococcal meningoencephalitis
Author(s) -
Gres Vitka,
Kolter Julia,
Erny Daniel,
Henneke Philipp
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of leukocyte biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.819
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1938-3673
pISSN - 0741-5400
DOI - 10.1002/jlb.4mr1118-419r
Subject(s) - meningoencephalitis , biology , immune system , microglia , immunology , innate immune system , inflammation , meningitis , blood–brain barrier , neuroinflammation , immunity , central nervous system , neuroscience , medicine , psychiatry
In the healthy brain, microglia and other CNS macrophages are the most abundant immune cell type. Thus, they form the natural immune cell interface with streptococci, which are the leading cause of bacterial meningitis and encephalitis in infants and young children. In homeostasis, the blood–brain barrier allows for very limited access of immune cells circulating in the periphery. During bacterial meningoencephalitis, however, origin and fate of CNS macrophages are massively altered. This review summarizes the emerging knowledge on the sequence of reciprocal events between streptococci and CNS macrophages leading to host resistance, acute inflammation, changes in resident innate immune cells of the brain, and long‐term neuronal damage.