Microglial activity in brain injury

PLoS Biol. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.2005264 (2018)

Spinal cord injury (SCI) triggers an influx of monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) into the central nervous system. In PLoS Biology, David and colleagues use a mouse model of SCI to show that MDMs enter the central nervous system within 3–5 days and form close interactions with resident microglia. This interaction reduces microglial phagocytic activity and inflammatory pathways. The ability of MDMs to ameliorate the activation of microglia is dependent on their production of prostaglandin E₂, which acts directly on the microglia. Preventing the infiltration of MDMs into the central nervous system impairs functional recovery after SCI. Recruited MDMs therefore seem to modulate the functions of microglia, preventing their chronic activation and aiding recovery after injury.