Microglia and central nervous system macrophages (MG/CAMs)

Microglia and central nervous system (CNS) macrophages are the primary resident immune cells of the brain and spinal cord, playing essential roles in development, homeostasis, and disease (Prinz et al., 2017, Nature Reviews Neuroscience). Microglia originate from yolk-sac progenitors and are distributed throughout the parenchyma, while other CNS macrophages (perivascular, meningeal, and choroid plexus) reside at the CNS interfaces (Ginhoux et al., 2010, Science). These cells are responsible for synaptic pruning, phagocytic clearance of debris, and the secretion of neurotrophic factors, but they also drive neuroinflammation in response to injury or protein aggregation (Hong et al., 2016, Science). In neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis, microglia can become chronically activated, contributing to tissue damage (Lassmann, 2018, Nature Reviews Neurology). Consequently, they are major focal points for therapeutic intervention, with drugs like CSF1R inhibitors (e.g., pexidartinib) being used to modulate their population and activity (Cannarile et al., 2017, Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer).

Other names

Microglial cellsBrain macrophagesResident CNS myeloid cellsPerivascular macrophagesMeningeal macrophagesChoroid plexus macrophagesCNS-associated macrophages (CAMs)

Modulation of myeloid cell activation states, inhibition of colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) signaling to deplete or repopulate cells, and reduction of pro-inflammatory mediator release (Cannarile et al., 2017, Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer).