A microglia-cytokine axis to modulate synaptic connectivity and function.

A microglia-cytokine axis to modulate synaptic connectivity and function.
Curr Opin Neurobiol. 2017 Oct 27;47:138-145
Authors: Werneburg S, Feinberg PA, Johnson KM, Schafer DP
Abstract
Microglia have recently been recognized as key regulators of synapse development, function, and plasticity. Critical to progressing the field is the identification of molecular underpinnings necessary for microglia to carry out these important functions within neural circuits. Here, we focus a review specifically on roles for microglial cytokine signaling within developing and mature neural circuits. We review exciting new studies demonstrating essential roles for microglial cytokine signaling in axon outgrowth, synaptogenesis and synapse maturation during development, as well as synaptic transmission and plasticity in adulthood. Together, these studies identify microglia and cytokines as critical modulators of neural circuits within the healthy brain, with implications for a broad range of neurological disorders with disruptions in synaptic structure and function.
PMID: 29096242 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Current Opinion in Neurobiology - October 27, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: Werneburg S, Feinberg PA, Johnson KM, Schafer DP Tags: Curr Opin Neurobiol Source Type: research