Microglia regulate central nervous system myelin growth and integrity

Abstract Myelin is required for the function of neuronal axons in the central nervous system, but the mechanisms that support myelin health are unclear. Although macrophages in the central nervous system have been implicated in myelin health 1 , it is unknown which macrophage populations are involved and which aspects they influence. Here we show that resident microglia are crucial for the maintenance of myelin health in adulthood in both mice and humans. We demonstrate that microglia are dispensable for developmental myelin ensheathment. However, they are required for subsequent regulation of myelin growth and associated cognitive function, and for preservation of myelin integrity by preventing its…

• WT
  Wellcome Trust

  Awards: WT104915MA, /Z/15/Z, 108906/Z/15/Z
• MS
  Multiple Sclerosis Society

  Award: MR/M020827/1
• UC
  University College London

  Award: 108906/Z/15/Z
• UO
  University of Edinburgh

  Award: 108906/Z/15/Z
• FW
  Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek
• FC
  Fondation Charcot
• VR
  Vlaamse regering
• SI
  Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain
• UD
  UK Dementia Research Institute
• DF
  Directorate for Biological Sciences
• MR
  Medical Research Council

  Awards: 108906/Z/15/Z, MR/V031260/1, MR/M020827/1, MR/V031260/1, MR/L003384/1, MR/M020827/1, MR/T015594/1, MR/N02256/1, WT104915MA, MR/M019969/1
• RL
  Reta Lila Weston Institute of Neurological Studies, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology,University College London