Microglia, macrophages, perivascular macrophages, and pericytes: a review of function and identification

作者：Gilles J. Guillemin, Bruce James Brew · 发表于：Journal of Leukocyte Biology · 年份：2003 · DOI：10.1189/jlb.0303114 · 被引用次数：531 · 研究领域：Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms、Barrier Structure and Function Studies、Neurological Disease Mechanisms and Treatments

The phenotypic differentiation of systemic macrophages that have infiltrated the central nervous system, pericytes, perivascular macrophages, and the "real" resident microglial cells is a major immunocytochemical and immunohistochemical concern for all users of cultures of brain cells and brain sections. It is not only important in assessing the purity of cell cultures; it is also of fundamental importance in the assessment of the pathogenetic significance of perivascular inflammatory phenomena within the brain. The lack of a single membranous and/or biochemical marker allowing conclusive identification of these cells is still a major problem in neurobiology. This review briefly discusses the functions of these cells and catalogs a large number of membranous and biochemical markers, which can assist in the identification of these cells.