arrow
Return

Microglia across evolution: from conserved origins to functional divergence

delete2025-11-21
delete0
delete
OA
AI
T
Takashi Shimizu
M
Marco Prinz *
DOI:10.1038/s41423-025-01368-6delete
deleteOriginal
deleteShare
deleteSave
View PDF
Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system, exhibit conserved developmental origins and core molecular signatures across vertebrate species, highlighting their crucial importance in the central nervous system. While homeostatic microglia maintain similar functions during phylogeny—such as immune surveillance, debris clearance, and synaptic pruning—their morphology, gene expression, and responses to stimuli remarkably vary by species. These differences reflect evolutionary divergence shaped by factors such as lifespan, regenerative potential, and immune architecture. This review integrates current findings from basic vertebrates such as zebrafish, rodents, and nonhuman primates with those from humans to highlight conserved and divergent aspects of microglial biology throughout evolution. Integrating these evolutionary differences is crucial for translating mechanistic insights across model organisms and advancing microglia-targeted therapies for neurological disorders.
Keywords:
Microglia
evolutionary biology
conserved origins
functional divergence
neurological disorders
AI Summary

AI Summary

Key information extracted from the uploaded paper, including a brief overview, abstract, background, key highlights, visual analysis, and future outlook.

Journal

Cellular and Molecular Immunology cover
Cellular and Molecular Immunology
IF:
19.8
Papers:
142
Citations:
1.7W

Organization

U
University of Freiburg
Scholars:
3.3W
Papers: 2.4W
Citations: 3.4W