brain cells that remove debris left by dead and dying neurons and glia.

(mi'-kro-GLEE-aw) A type of neuroglia in the brain characterized by its small size and phagocytic function.

Phagocytic neuroglia in the central nervous system.

neuroglial tissue of mesodermal origin that can become phagocytic

Macrophage resident in the CNS.

neuroglia consisting of small cells that are scattered throughout the central nervous system, have a phagocytic function as part of the reticuloendothelial system, and are now usually considered to be of mesodermal origin.

Macrophage-like cells that reside in the brain; 'eat' cellular debris and stimulate immune responses.

Microglia are the resident macrophage cell population within the neuroaxis and represent the primary immunocompetent cells to deal with tissue injury, removal of cellular debris and invasion by infectious agents. Microglia is the central cellular component of the innate immune system in the CNS. Microglia represent 10-20% of the glial cell population in the brain and, in the case of perivascular microglia, may play a role in antigen recognition and processing at the level of blood-brain barrier. Different types of microglia are recognized in the CNS: "resting" microglial cells have a ramified shape with extended pseudopodia and have a suppressed genomic activity. After stimulation and cellular activation, microglia evolve to "activated" and "phagocytic" stages and modify their morphology from ameboid shape ("activated" microglia) to large rounded shapes ("phagocytic" microglia). Upon cellular activation, microglia may secrete neurotoxic and cytoprotective mediators that facilitate neuroimmune function and neuronal-neuroglial interactions that maintain the CNS homestasis (2).

(Gr. mikros, small; glia, glue): Small supporting cells of the central nervous system (neuroglia) derived from the mesoderm (blood histiocytes) and having a phagocytic function.

A type of glial cell that is involved in the digestion of dead neurons.

Tiny immune system scavenger cells that remove debris from the brain and spinal cord.

Small cells that resemble components of the immune system.

a cell of the central nervous system that helps maintain and protect neurons.

Microglia are macrophages derived from bone marrow. They migrate to the CNS during development where they become trapped after the blood brain barrier forms. Microglia are normally inactive but become activated in response to antigenic stimulation. Once activated, they proliferate and migrate to the site of injury where they bind to antigens by using the molecules on their surface. They produce the toxic cytokins IL-1 and TNFalphan when activated. They are major phagocytes, but are located in the central nervous system.

A component cell of the CNS, it helps the macrophage remove damaged tissues after an attack.

A type of glial cell that can turn into a type of immune cell called a phagocyte or macrophage; can be infected by HIV.

Immune cells from inside the CNS

glial cells that function as part of the immune system in the brain and spinal cord.

A type of immune cell found in the brain. Microglia are scavengers, engulfing dead cells and other debris. In Alzheimer’s disease, microglia are found associated with dying nerve cells and amyloid plaques.

Type of neuroglia; CNS macrophages

a type of glial cell in the CNS

Mononuclear phagocytes resident in the brain and spinal cord. Microglial precursors colonize the human CNS early in gestation.

A type of glial cell that is activated in the inflammatory response. Sometimes called “brain macrophages.

Microglia are a type of glial cell that act as the immune cells of the Central nervous system (CNS). Microglia, the smallest of the glial cells, can act as phagocytes, cleaning up CNS debris. Most serve as representatives of the immune system in the brain and spinal cord.