Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
118(46)
Published: Nov. 10, 2021
Significance
Abnormal
microglia–neuron
interaction
is
increasingly
implicated
in
neurodevelopmental
and
neuropsychiatric
conditions,
such
as
autism
spectrum
disorders
schizophrenia,
well
neurodegenerative
disorders,
Alzheimer’s
disease.
This
study
demonstrates
that
the
deletion
of
microglia-specific
protein
Iba1,
which
has
long
been
utilized
a
selective
microglial
marker
but
whose
role
remained
unidentified,
results
structural
functional
impairments
significantly
impact
synaptic
development
behavior.
These
findings
not
only
highlight
importance
microglia
brain
function
may
also
suggest
modifying
could
provide
therapeutic
strategy
for
treatment
neurodevelopmental,
neuropsychiatric,
disorders.
Nature Neuroscience,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
25(10), P. 1273 - 1278
Published: Sept. 28, 2022
Oligodendrocyte
precursor
cells
(OPCs)
give
rise
to
myelinating
oligodendrocytes
throughout
life,
but
the
functions
of
OPCs
are
not
limited
oligodendrogenesis.
Here
we
show
that
contribute
thalamocortical
presynapse
elimination
in
developing
and
adult
mouse
visual
cortex.
OPC-mediated
synapse
engulfment
increases
response
sensory
experience
during
neural
circuit
refinement.
Our
data
suggest
may
regulate
synaptic
connectivity
brain
independently
Science Advances,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
8(9)
Published: March 2, 2022
The
prefrontal
cortex
(PFC)
is
a
cortical
brain
region
that
regulates
various
cognitive
functions.
One
distinctive
feature
of
the
PFC
its
protracted
adolescent
maturation,
which
necessary
for
acquiring
mature
abilities
in
adulthood.
Here,
we
show
microglia,
brain's
resident
immune
cells,
contribute
to
this
maturational
process.
We
find
transient
and
cell-specific
deficiency
microglia
adolescence
sufficient
induce
an
adult
emergence
PFC-associated
impairments
functions,
dendritic
complexity,
synaptic
structures.
While
also
altered
excitatory-inhibitory
balance
circuits,
there
were
no
sequelae
when
depleted
Thus,
our
findings
identify
as
sensitive
period
act
on
development.