中国神经再生研究(英文版) ›› 2026, Vol. 21 ›› Issue (2): 663-664.doi: 10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-24-01198

• 观点:退行性病与再生 • 上一篇    下一篇

FIREproof:小胶质细胞生物学的复杂性

  

  • 出版日期:2026-02-15 发布日期:2025-05-23

FIREproof: Intricacies of microglial biology

Wei Cao*   

  1. Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
  • Online:2026-02-15 Published:2025-05-23
  • Contact: Wei Cao, PhD, wei.cao@uth.tmc.edu.
  • Supported by:
    This work was funded by NIH grants HL154720- 03S1, AG057587, AG074283, DK122708- 03S1, BrightFocus ADR A20183775, and Brown Foundation 2020 Healthy Aging Initiative (to WC).

摘要: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8952-9159 (Wei Cao)

Abstract: Microglia are the macrophages that populate the brain parenchyma. Research in the past decades has identified them as both essential guardians of the brain and significant contributors to various neurological diseases. A highly versatile cell type, microglia have been shown to fulfill a multitude of critical roles in the central nervous system, including facilitating neurogenesis and myelination, pruning synapses, removing debris and waste, modulating neuronal activity, supporting the blood–brain barrier, repairing tissue damage, and surveilling against microbial invasions under physiological conditions (Prinz et al., 2021; Paolicelli et al., 2022). Yet, recent studies on fms intronic regulatory element (FIRE) mice (Rojo et al., 2019), an engineered rodent strain completely devoid of microglia, have considerably altered our perceptions of these cells’ influence on brain homeostasis. Contrary to earlier beliefs, microglia are largely dispensable for neurogenesis, synaptogenesis, oligodendrocyte maturation, and vasculature formation (Rojo et al., 2019; McNamara et al., 2023; Profaci et al., 2024; Surala et al., 2024). However, they are essential for maintaining myelin health, safeguarding structural integrity during the development of central nervous system, and protecting against ageassociated brain pathologies (McNamara et al., 2023; Chadarevian et al., 2024; Lawrence et al., 2024; Munro et al., 2024). These findings provide invaluable insights into the pathogenesis of adultonset leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids and pigmented glia (ALSP) (Prinz et al., 2021; Paolicelli et al., 2022), a rare neurodegenerative disorder affected by microgliopathy, while also highlighting potential therapeutic strategies. As research continues to unravel the intricacies of microglial biology, it promises to further advance our understanding and facilitate clinical translation in the future.