Microglial Interactions with Synapses Are Modulated by Visual Experience

Microglia are the immune cells of the brain. In the absence of pathological insult, their highly motile processes continually survey the brain parenchyma and transiently contact synaptic elements. Aside from monitoring, their physiological roles at synapses are not known. To gain insight into possible roles of microglia in the modification of synaptic structures, we used immunocytochemical electron microscopy, serial section electron microscopy with three-dimensional reconstructions, and two-photon in vivo imaging to characterize microglial interactions with synapses during normal and altered sensory experience, in the visual cortex of juvenile mice. During normal visual experience, most microglial processes…

• BW
  Burroughs Wellcome Fund
• AP
  Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
• UO
  University of Rochester
• SF
  Stiftung für die Erforschung der Muskelkrankheiten
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Award: EY019277
• MC
  Medical Center, University of Rochester