Microglia in a mind tissue pattern. Credit score: Prof. Kiavash Movahedi
A world analysis crew led by Professor Kiavash Movahedi from the Brussels Heart for Immunology on the Vrije Universiteit Brussel has printed surprising leads to the journal Immunity. Their research sheds new gentle on the potential for successfully changing faulty microglia—the mind’s immune cells—marking a possible breakthrough within the therapy of neurodegenerative illnesses comparable to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Microglia are important for wholesome mind perform. Faulty microglia are more and more linked to the event of neurodegenerative issues.
“Microglia are unique,” says Prof. Movahedi. “They originate early in embryonic development and maintain themselves throughout life without being replaced by new cells from the blood. That makes them special, but also vulnerable.”
Till now, changing defective microglia has posed a significant problem. The researchers have now proven that that is certainly attainable. By making use of particular methods, sure white blood cells—so-called monocytes—can cross the blood-brain barrier and settle within the mind as new microglia.
“This opens up new avenues for future therapies,” says Movahedi.
Nevertheless, the monocytes don’t absolutely undertake the identification of the unique microglia.
“Although they mimic microglia functions, they remain molecularly distinct,” says Jonathan Bastos, Ph.D. researcher on the mission and first creator of the article. “This may be a disadvantage, as the new cells may not be able to fully replicate the normal functions of microglia.”
A key discovery is that the origin of the cells is essential. Solely monocytes derived from embryonic precursors can become true microglia. This perception paves the way in which for brand spanking new cell therapies: through the use of embryonic cells or stem cell-derived, microglia-like cells, sufferers could in the future be successfully handled.
The analysis crew is now persevering with this work, aiming to develop methods for customized cell remedy, utilizing sufferers’ personal cells to exchange faulty microglia. Moreover, the researchers envision enhancing these new microglia to allow them to, for instance, produce therapeutic substances instantly inside the mind to actively fight illness.
The research was performed in collaboration with worldwide companions and was supported by a simultaneous publication by American colleagues, who demonstrated that the brand new substitute remedy can really enhance mind situations in a mouse mannequin.
Movahedi notes, “The work of colleague F. Chris Bennett supplies proof that this new method really holds potential.
“The impact of neurodegenerative diseases is growing rapidly, and effective therapies are urgently needed. Our results lay a foundation on which to build innovative treatments that not only alleviate symptoms but actually tackle the root causes.”
Extra data:
Monocytes can effectively substitute all mind macrophages and fetal liver monocytes can generate bona fide Sall1+ microglia., Immunity (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2025.04.006. www.cell.com/immunity/fulltext … 1074-7613(25)00169-4
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