Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Microglia/Macrophages in the Nervous System
A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 April 2026 | Viewed by 71
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Microglia cells are a type of macrophage, a specialized immune cell, and are the primary resident phagocytes of the CNS. Under healthy conditions, microglia continuously survey their environment, shaping synapses and clearing cellular debris. However, in response to pathogens, injury, or disease, microglia cells undergo a rapid activation process, changing their morphology and function. This activation is a tightly regulated process, involving a complex interplay of molecular pathways and signaling molecules.
Microglia cells share many similarities with peripheral macrophages, but they also have distinct characteristics tailored to the unique environment of the CNS. While microglia are resident cells of the CNS, macrophages from the periphery can infiltrate the nervous system under certain conditions, such as severe inflammation or a breakdown of the blood–brain barrier. Both cell types can contribute to either pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory responses, depending on the context. Their functions include phagocytosis (the engulfment of other cells or debris), antigen presentation, and the release of various signaling molecules like cytokines and chemokines. The balance between these pro- and anti-inflammatory roles is critical; an imbalance can lead to chronic neuroinflammation and contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington's, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, or autism. Understanding the specific cellular and molecular mechanisms which govern microglia and macrophage function is fundamental to developing new therapeutic strategies for a wide range of neurological disorders.
Neurodegenerative diseases; diet; brain and behavior disorders such as addiction, anxiety, autism, depression, and schizophrenia; and early-life stressors are key elements which drive the physiological inflammatory response towards the pathological one.
This Special Issue seeks original research articles addressing studies in vitro and in vivo, omics, and physiological, behavioral, molecular, and cellular aspects of the “Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Microglia/Macrophages in the Nervous System”, as well as translational research. Review articles will also be considered.
Dr. Emanuela Paldino
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cells is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- microglia
- macrophages
- neurological disorders
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