Pharmacological Tools to Activate Microglia and their Possible use to Study Neural Network Patho-physiology.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Microglia are the resident immunocompetent cells of the CNS and also constitute a unique cell type that contributes to neural network homeostasis and function. Understanding microglia cell-signaling not only will reveal their diverse functions but also will help to identify pharmacological and non-pharmacological tools to modulate the activity of these cells.

Methods

We undertook a search of bibliographic databases for peer-reviewed research literature to identify microglial activators and their cell-specificity. We also looked for their effects on neural network function and dysfunction.

Results

We identified several pharmacological targets to modulate microglial function, which are more or less specific (with the proper control experiments). We also ident

SUBMITTER: Pena-Ortega F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5543677 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature