Microglia regulate central nervous system myelin growth and integrity.

ABSTRACT: Myelin is required for the function of neuronal axons in the central nervous system, but the mechanisms that support myelin health are unclear. Although macrophages in the central nervous system have been implicated in myelin health¹, it is unknown which macrophage populations are involved and which aspects they influence. Here we show that resident microglia are crucial for the maintenance of myelin health in adulthood in both mice and humans. We demonstrate that microglia are dispensable for developmental myelin ensheathment. However, they are required for subsequent regulation of myelin growth and associated cognitive function, and for preservation of myelin integrity by preventing its degeneration. We show that loss of myelin health due to the absence of microglia is associa

SUBMITTER: McNamara NB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9812791 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature