TY - JOUR
T1 - The Indispensable Roles of Microglia and Astrocytes during Brain Development
AU - Reemst, Kitty
AU - Noctor, Stephen C
AU - Lucassen, Paul J
AU - Hol, E.M.
PY - 2016
Y1 - 2016
N2 - Glia are essential for brain functioning during development and in the adult brain. Here, we discuss the various roles of both microglia and astrocytes, and their interactions during brain development. Although both cells are fundamentally different in origin and function, they often affect the same developmental processes such as neuro-/gliogenesis, angiogenesis, axonal outgrowth, synaptogenesis and synaptic pruning. Due to their important instructive roles in these processes, dysfunction of microglia or astrocytes during brain development could contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders and potentially even late-onset neuropathology. A better understanding of the origin, differentiation process and developmental functions of microglia and astrocytes will help to fully appreciate their role both in the developing as well as in the adult brain, in health and disease.
AB - Glia are essential for brain functioning during development and in the adult brain. Here, we discuss the various roles of both microglia and astrocytes, and their interactions during brain development. Although both cells are fundamentally different in origin and function, they often affect the same developmental processes such as neuro-/gliogenesis, angiogenesis, axonal outgrowth, synaptogenesis and synaptic pruning. Due to their important instructive roles in these processes, dysfunction of microglia or astrocytes during brain development could contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders and potentially even late-onset neuropathology. A better understanding of the origin, differentiation process and developmental functions of microglia and astrocytes will help to fully appreciate their role both in the developing as well as in the adult brain, in health and disease.
U2 - 10.3389/fnhum.2016.00566
DO - 10.3389/fnhum.2016.00566
M3 - Article
C2 - 27877121
SN - 1662-5161
VL - 10
SP - 566
JO - Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
JF - Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
ER -