Protective effects of microglia in multiple sclerosis
Review published in Exp Neurol (2009)
Abstract
The role of microglia in demyelinating neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is still controversial. Although microglial cells are known as the professional phagocytes and executer of innate immunity in the central nervous system (CNS), it is believed that microglia are rather neurotoxic in these diseases. However, there is recent evidence indicating that microglia could also exert a neuroprotective function in MS and EAE. First evidence for the protective effect of immune cells in CNS diseases emerged from studies in invertebrates. In the medicinal leech, the process of regeneration begins with rapid activation and accumulation of phagocytic glial cells at the lesion site followed by phagocytosis of damaged tissue by these cells which promoted robust neural regeneration. In vertebrates, several lines of evidence demonstrate that microglia are also involved in neuroprotection by the secretion of soluble mediators that trigger neural repair and usually contribute to the creation of an environment conductive for regeneration. The efficient removal of apoptotic cells and clearance of debris at the lesion site and the recruitment of stem cell populations as well as the induction of neurogenesis are directly correlated. These findings suggest that microglia play a major role in creating a microenvironment for repair and regenerative processes in demyelinating neuroinflammatory diseases.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Reviews evidence from leech microglia studies and vertebrate models showing that microglia exert neuroprotection by secreting mediators that trigger neural repair, recruit stem cells, and remove apoptotic debris.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este artículo de revisión analiza los posibles papeles neuroprotectores de la microglía en la esclerosis múltiple (EM) y su modelo animal EAE, destacando la evidencia de que la microglía contribuye a la neuroprotección mediante la secreción de mediadores solubles, la eliminación de detritos y el reclutamiento de células madre. El resumen señala que las primeras evidencias de una función inmunitaria protectora en lesiones del SNC provienen de estudios en la sanguijuela medicinal, donde la rápida activación y acumulación de células gliales fagocíticas en los sitios de lesión promovieron una robusta regeneración neural. Esta revisión se centra principalmente en la neuroinmunología de vertebrados y la EM; la sanguijuela se menciona solo como un modelo comparativo histórico que demuestra la reparación mediada por la glía. El estudio no tiene relevancia directa para la hirudoterapia, el secretoma de la sanguijuela ni la aplicación clínica de sanguijuelas.
Citación
Protective effects of microglia in multiple sclerosis.
Napoli I, Neumann H · Experimental neurology, 2009
Contexto clínico relacionado
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 26, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: 18 de junio de 2026