The Role of Microglia and Macrophages in CNS Homeostasis, Autoimmunity, and Cancer.

ABSTRACT: Macrophages are major cell types of the immune system, and they comprise both tissue-resident populations and circulating monocyte-derived subsets. Here, we discuss microglia, the resident macrophage within the central nervous system (CNS), and CNS-infiltrating macrophages. Under steady state, microglia play important roles in the regulation of CNS homeostasis through the removal of damaged or unnecessary neurons and synapses. In the face of inflammatory or pathological insults, microglia and CNS-infiltrating macrophages not only constitute the first line of defense against pathogens by regulating components of innate immunity, but they also regulate the adaptive arms of immune responses. Dysregulation of these responses contributes to many CNS disorders. In this overview, we summarize the

SUBMITTER: Yin J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5749282 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature