Microglia Cells (MC)

Microglia cells (MC) are a type of glial cell located throughout the brain and spinal cord.Microglia account for 10~15% of all cells found within the brain. As the resident macrophage cells, they act as the first and main form of active immune defense in the central nervous system (CNS). Microglia (and other glia including astrocytes) are distributed in large non-overlapping regions throughout the CNS. Microglia are key cells in overall brain maintenance - they are constantly scavenging the CNS for plaques, damaged or unnecessary neurons and synapses, and infectious agents. Since these processes must be efficient to prevent potentially fatal damage, microglia are extremely sensitive to even small pathological changes in the CNS. This sensitivity is achieved in part by the presence of unique potassium channels that respond to even small changes in extracellular potassium.Furthermore, there is evidence that microglia are involved in a variety of physiological and pathological processes in the brain through interaction with neurons, other glial cells, and production of biologically active substances such as growth factors and cytokines.