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The function of microglia in the developing brain

Lienden, J.C.J. van der (2015) The function of microglia in the developing brain. Bachelor's Thesis, Biology.

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Abstract

Microglia are increasingly acknowledged as key players in the development of the brain. Although the exact mechanisms are not well understood, recent years more evidence has come up about the ontogeny and the exact functions of microglia in the developing brain. They appear to emerge from ‘primitive’ macrophages in the yolk sac during embryonic development. Mature microglia control the patterning and wiring of the developing brain. They regulate the neurogenesis and axonal outgrowth by secretion of soluble molecules. Microglia also play a crucial role in the refinement of the brain. They actively regulate neuronal numbers by supporting programmed cell death and phagocytosis of the apoptotic neurons. Survival of the useful neurons is supported by secreted neurotrophic factors. In the process of activity-dependent synapse maturation, microglia are also involved. Improper synapses express signals which trigger microglia to phagocytose them. In this paper, the mechanisms of these processes in the brain development will be described in more detail.

Item Type: Thesis (Bachelor's Thesis)
Degree programme: Biology
Thesis type: Bachelor's Thesis
Language: English
Date Deposited: 15 Feb 2018 08:05
Last Modified: 15 Feb 2018 08:05
URI: https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/13005

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