Abstract
The hypothalamus is a key component of the limbic system that plays an essential role in regulating physiological homeostasis via the release of trophic hormones that serve to connect the nervous and endocrine systems. The organization and function of the discrete nuclei that comprise the hypothalamus have been well studied, yet the programs that govern their development remain poorly described. This paucity of understanding is especially true for the microglial-neuronal interactions that occur during hypothalamic development and are important for the generation of a fully functioning hypothalamus. Recent scientific advancements have begun to elucidate the intricate programs that drive the invasion and maturation of these specialized glial cells, especially within the embryonic hypothalamus. Broadly, during neurogenesis, macrophages travel from the yolk sac to invade the brain parenchyma, where they transition to become microglia, the first and only glial cell present in the early embryonic central nervous system. These phagocytic immune cells are crucial during embryogenesis for the proper establishment of hypothalamic metabolic circuitry and have been shown to be both sexually dimorphic themselves, as well as contribute to the sexual dimorphism that exists within the hypothalamus. Thus, understanding the molecular nature of microglial-neuronal interactions in the developing hypothalamus is essential to having a comprehensive appreciation for the establishment of this important neuroendocrine region.
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Rosin, J.M., Kurrasch, D.M. (2021). The Role of Microglia in the Developing Hypothalamus. In: Tasker, J.G., Bains, J.S., Chowen, J.A. (eds) Glial-Neuronal Signaling in Neuroendocrine Systems. Masterclass in Neuroendocrinology, vol 11. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-62383-8_1
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