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Monocyte‐mediated entry of pathogens into the central nervous system
Author(s) -
WILLIAMS A. E.,
BLAKEMORE W. F.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
neuropathology and applied neurobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.538
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1365-2990
pISSN - 0305-1846
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2990.1990.tb01274.x
Subject(s) - microglia , central nervous system , trojan horse , nervous system , biology , monocyte , pathogenesis , immunology , neuroscience , inflammation , computer science , operating system
The origin of the microglia has long been a subject of debate. However it is now clear that monocytes enter the normal central nervous system and follow a series of morphological transformations as they differentiate into microglia. Thus, microglia are of monocytic origin. Since monocytes migrate into the normal CNS, they represent potential vehicles for the entry of pathogens into the nervous system and indeed may carry particulate matter into the CNS. Both viruses and bacteria use this ‘Trojan horse’ mechanism of entry in the pathogenesis of CNS disease.