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Published Online April 14, 2005
Science DOI: 10.1126/science.1110647

Reports

Submitted on February 3, 2005
Accepted on March 17, 2005

Resting Microglial Cells Are Highly Dynamic Surveillants of Brain Parenchyma in Vivo

Axel Nimmerjahn 1, Frank Kirchhoff 2, Fritjof Helmchen 1*

1 Abteilung Zellphysiologie, Max-Planck-Institut für medizinische Forschung, Jahnstr. 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
2 Abteilung Neurogenetik, Max-Planck-Institut für Experimentelle Medizin, Hermann-Rein-Str. 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany.

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Fritjof Helmchen , E-mail: fritjof{at}mpimf-heidelberg.mpg.de

Microglial cells represent the immune system of the brain and therefore are critically involved in various injuries and diseases. Little is known about their role in the healthy brain and their immediate reaction to brain damage. Using in vivo two-photon imaging in neocortex, we found that microglial cells are highly active in their presumed resting state, continually surveying their microenvironment with extremely motile processes and protrusions. Furthermore, blood brain barrier disruption provoked immediate and focal activation of microglia, switching their behavior from patrolling to shielding of the injured site. Microglia thus are busy and vigilant housekeepers in adult brain.


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