New findings reveal phagocytes do not fully mature until after birth, contradicting previous assumptions that they mature during embryonic development.
Too much salt can disrupt the energy balance of immune cells and prevent them from functioning correctly.
A nuclear fragment protein activates Xkr4 to display an "eat me" signal to phagocytes.
Researchers have successfully created a new map of the brain's immune system in both mice and humans. The findings suggest microglia all have the same core signatures, but can act differently, depending on their function. The map also details how the brain's immune system changes as multiple sclerosis progresses.
Researchers say in some autoimmune disorders, such as Rasmussen's encephalitis, neurons are not only the targets for immune system attacks, but may also be active protagonists.
A new study reveals how microglia help clear dead and damaged materials away from healthy, neighboring neurons following injury.
Stimulating microglial cells could delay the onset of some neurodegenerative diseases, researchers report.
According to researchers, astrocytes lose the ability to support motor neurons as ALS progresses.