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Microglia, macrophages, perivascular macrophages, and pericytes: a review of function and identification
Author(s) -
Guillemin Gilles J.,
Brew Bruce J.
Publication year - 2004
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 - 10.1189/jlb.0303114
Subject(s) - microglia , biology , identification (biology) , macrophage , pathology , perivascular space , cell type , function (biology) , central nervous system , phenotype , neuroscience , neuroglia , microbiology and biotechnology , immunology , inflammation , cell , in vitro , anatomy , medicine , gene , biochemistry , botany , genetics
The phenotypic differentiation of systemic macrophages that have infiltrated the central nervous system, pericytes, perivascular macrophages, and the “real” resident microglial cells is a major immunocytochemical and immunohistochemical concern for all users of cultures of brain cells and brain sections. It is not only important in assessing the purity of cell cultures; it is also of fundamental importance in the assessment of the pathogenetic significance of perivascular inflammatory phenomena within the brain. The lack of a single membranous and/or biochemical marker allowing conclusive identification of these cells is still a major problem in neurobiology. This review briefly discusses the functions of these cells and catalogs a large number of membranous and biochemical markers, which can assist in the identification of these cells.