Origin and regeneration of microglia, an overview.

Roorda, L.S. (2016) Origin and regeneration of microglia, an overview. Bachelor's Thesis, Biology.

Preview	Text Biol_BC_2016_LSRoorda.pdf - Published Version Download (859kB) | Preview
	Text Toestemming.pdf - Other Restricted to Backend only Download (432kB)

Abstract

The central nervous system has been long viewed as an immune privileged organ, this has placed microglia at the centre of attention in brain pathologies. Microglia are the principal immune effector cells of the central nervous system and were regarded as having a central role in neurodegenerative diseases. The origin of microglia has long been unknown; this also goes for the understanding of their function and if or how they are replenished. It was hypothesised that microglia could be replenished from the periphery and their main function was thought to phagocytose apoptotic cells or debris. Our current understanding of microglia is much more extensive, as recent findings have elucidated the origin of microglia, as well as established them to have important homeostatic functions in tissue remodelling and synaptic pruning. Moreover, the source of cells that repopulate the CNS after depletion of the microglial population has been established. These findings are paving the way for a better understanding of their implications in neurodegenerative diseases with possible therapeutic implications. This thesis will provide the background knowledge of microglia, in a historical perspective, what is currently known and what implications these findings might have for future studies and therapies.

Item Type:	Thesis (Bachelor's Thesis)
Degree programme:	Biology
Thesis type:	Bachelor's Thesis
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	15 Feb 2018 08:11
Last Modified:	15 Feb 2018 08:11
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/13686

Actions (login required)

View Item