Microglia and macrophages in the neuro-glia-vascular unit: From identity to functions

Shuning Chen; Jiaying Li; Shan Meng; Tingyu He; Ziyu Shi; Chenran Wang; Yana Wang; Hui Cao; Yichen Huang; Yue Zhang; Ye Gong; Yanqin Gao

doi:10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106066

Microglia and macrophages in the neuro-glia-vascular unit: From identity to functions

Neurobiol Dis. 2023 Apr:179:106066. doi: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106066. Epub 2023 Mar 6.

Authors

Shuning Chen¹, Jiaying Li¹, Shan Meng¹, Tingyu He¹, Ziyu Shi¹, Chenran Wang¹, Yana Wang¹, Hui Cao¹, Yichen Huang¹, Yue Zhang¹, Ye Gong², Yanqin Gao³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Critical Care Medicine of Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
² Department of Critical Care Medicine of Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. Electronic address: gong_ye@fudan.edu.cn.
³ Department of Critical Care Medicine of Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. Electronic address: yqgao@shmu.edu.cn.

PMID: 36889483
DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106066

Abstract

Although both are myeloid cells located surrounding cerebral vasculature, vessel-associated microglia (VAM) and perivascular macrophages (PVMs) can be distinguished by their distinct morphologies, signatures and microscopic location. As key component of neuro-glia-vascular unit (NGVU), they play prominent roles in neurovasculature development and pathological process of various central nervous system (CNS) diseases, including phagocytosis, angiogenesis, vessel damage/protection and blood flow regulation, therefore serving as potential targets for therapeutics of a broad array of CNS diseases. Herein, we will provide a comprehensive overview of heterogeneity of VAM/PVMs, highlight limitations of current understanding in this field, and discuss possible directions of future investigations.

Keywords: Angiogenesis; Blood flow regulation; Perivascular macrophages; Phagocytosis; Single-cell RNA sequencing; Vessel-associated microglia.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Brain / pathology
Central Nervous System Diseases* / pathology
Humans
Macrophages
Microglia* / physiology
Phagocytosis