From theory to therapy: Implications from an in vitro model of ramified microglia

Microglia are the principal immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS ), characterized by a highly specific morphology and unusual antigenic phen otype. An increasing number of studies have focused on the role of microgli a in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. To elucidate the funct ion of microglial cells under several neuropathological conditions, we have studied and established a cell culture model that allows us to cultivate m icroglial cells in their inactive, resting (ramified) phenotype. In the fir st part of this work, we describe the interaction of microglia cells with t heir epithelial (astrocytic) microenvironment. The second part reviews expe riments with microglia cell cultures to elucidate underlying signalling pat hways and summarizes recent advances of our knowledge in microglial molecul ar pathways that may ultimately lead to neurodegeneration. (C) 2001 Wiley-L iss. Inc.