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Microglia: The Neural Cells of Nonneural Origin

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Microglia

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 2034))

Abstract

Microglia are neural cells of nonneural origin; they originate from fetal macrophages that invade neural tube early in embryogenesis and undergo the most idiosyncratic metamorphosis which coverts them into elements of neural circuitry. Microglia appeared early in evolution with neural immune cells being operative in leeches and mollusks. Microglial cells acquire specific morphology characterized by small cell bodies and long motile processes which are packed with receptors sensing both physiological and pathological stimuli. Microglial cells actively sculpture neuronal networks through synaptic stripping and phagocytosis of redundant neurons; microglia also secrete neuroactive factors regulating synaptic transmission. Novel techniques emerging in recent decade allowed an in-depth understanding of physiological and pathophysiological functions of microglia.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany

    Olga Garaschuk

  2. Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK

    Alexei Verkhratsky

  3. Center for Basic and Translational Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Alexei Verkhratsky

  4. Achucarro Center for Neuroscience, IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain

    Alexei Verkhratsky

Authors
  1. Olga Garaschuk
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  2. Alexei Verkhratsky
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Olga Garaschuk .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany

    Olga Garaschuk

  2. Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health The University of Manchester, , Center for Basic and Translational Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences University of Copenhagen Copenhagen, Denmark, Achucarro Center for Neuroscience IKERBASQUE Basque Foundation for Science Bilbao, Spain, Manchester, UK

    Alexei Verkhratsky

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Garaschuk, O., Verkhratsky, A. (2019). Microglia: The Neural Cells of Nonneural Origin. In: Garaschuk, O., Verkhratsky, A. (eds) Microglia. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 2034. Humana, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-9658-2_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-9658-2_1

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Humana, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-9657-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-9658-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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