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Microglia in Infectious Diseases of the Central Nervous System

  • Invited Review
  • Published:
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Abstract

Microglia are the resident macrophage population in the central nervous system (CNS) parenchyma and, as such, are poised to provide a first line of defense against invading pathogens. Microglia are endowed with a vast repertoire of pattern recognition receptors that include such family members as Toll-like receptors and phagocytic receptors, which collectively function to sense and eliminate microbes invading the CNS parenchyma. In addition, microglial activation elicits a broad range of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines that are involved in the recruitment and subsequent activation of peripheral immune cells infiltrating the infected CNS. Studies from several laboratories have demonstrated the ability of microglia to sense and respond to a wide variety of pathogens capable of colonizing the CNS including bacterial, viral, and fungal species. This review will highlight the role of microglia in microbial recognition and the resultant antipathogen response that ensues in an attempt to clear these infections. Implications as to whether microglial activation is uniformly beneficial to the CNS or in some circumstances may exacerbate pathology will also be discussed.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS; RO1s NS040740, NS055385, and NS053487) to T.K.

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  1. Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5900, USA

    Monica M. Mariani & Tammy Kielian

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  1. Monica M. Mariani
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  2. Tammy Kielian
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Correspondence to Tammy Kielian.

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Mariani, M.M., Kielian, T. Microglia in Infectious Diseases of the Central Nervous System. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 4, 448–461 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11481-009-9170-6

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