Abstract
Microglia are best known as the mononuclear phagocytes of the central nervous system (CNS) parenchyma. As a resident glial cell population, microglia play key roles during the initiation, propagation, and/or resolution of inflammation. Recently, the discovery that microglial cells continuously survey their local CNS environment in vivo improved our understanding of their immune-surveillance properties in health and disease. Microglial interactions with other elements of the immune system and resident cells of the CNS define a fine balance between neuroprotection and irreparable tissue damage. In this chapter we highlight the innate immune properties of microglia, with a focus on events that initiate an inflammatory response within the brain proper including, Toll-like receptors, inflammasomes, cytokines, and chemokines, and their relationship to immune-mediated disease exacerbation or resolution.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Microglia in Health and Disease |
Publisher | Springer New York |
Pages | 115-144 |
Number of pages | 30 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781493914296 |
ISBN (Print) | 1493914286, 9781493914289 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 1 2014 |
Keywords
- Antigen presentation
- Blood-brain barrier
- Chemokine
- Inflammasome
- Microglia
- Nod-like receptor
- Phagocytosis
- Scavenging
- Toll-like receptor
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine
- General Neuroscience