Although recent research has indicated an involvement of microglia in synapse remodelling in the normal brain, their precise role in this process is unknown. The synapses of the retinogeniculate system undergo extensive pruning postnatally, and Schafer et al. now find that microglia contribute to this pruning by engulfing and remodelling presynaptic inputs. Interestingly, they show that this process is dependent on upstream neuronal activity and signalling via the phagocytic complement receptor 3 pathway.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPER
Schafer, D. P. et al. Microglia sculpt postnatal neural circuits in an activity and complement-dependent manner. Neuron 74, 691–705 (2012)Article
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lewis, S. Microglia eat synapses for breakfast. Nat Rev Neurosci 13, 451 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn3285
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn3285