Glia lecture 2

Question 1

Microglia

Answer 1

Immune cell of CNS. Derived from yolk sac in early development. Resident for full lifetime of animal. 10% of all cells in CNS. Observe constant state of surveillance, implicated in disorders.

Question 2

Structure

Answer 2

Imaging shows lattice/grid like structure within microdomains.

Question 3

Activity

Answer 3

Extremely dynamic + always survey local environment, scan entire CNS every few hours. This means they pick up signs of infection or disease. Can react to stimuli like electrical activity and neurotransmitters.

Question 4

Response to damage

Answer 4

After microlesion, microglia immediately switch from general surveillance to specific repair behaviour and targeted movement.

Question 5

Physiological roles

Answer 5

Phagocytosis, programmed cell death, synaptic pruning, neuronal plasticity.

Question 6

Health and disease

Answer 6

Good - engulfing toxic proteins.
Bad - inflammatory cytokine release.

Question 7

Autism
Schizophrenia
Alzheimer’s

Answer 7

Decreased synaptic pruning - retention of immaature synapses - abnormal connectivity.
Increased microglia activity and pruning.
Increased pruning with age - microglia drawn to plaque deposits. (C3)