Microglial Functions in Neurodegenerative Diseases: In Search of Potential Therapeutic Targets
A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409). This special issue belongs to the section "Cellular Aging".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 December 2025) | Viewed by 955
Special Issue Editors
Interests: inflammation; new therapies; neurodegeneration
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Microglia, as the resident immune cells of the central nervous system, play a pivotal role in maintaining neural homeostasis and modulating responses to injury and disease. In the last decade, the complex involvement of microglia in neuroinflammation, synaptic pruning, and cell signaling has positioned this cell type as both a potential mediator and modulator of neurodegenerative processes.
A substantial body of information has shed light on how dysregulated microglial activation contributes to different neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s disease. However, fewer studies have explored the role of microglia in the context of mitochondrial diseases and other rare disorders, where neurodegeneration is also a defining feature.
This Special Issue seeks to explore the multifaceted roles of microglia in neurodegeneration and to identify novel therapeutic targets aimed at modulating microglial function. We welcome original research articles and reviews that delve into the molecular mechanisms governing microglial activity, the impact of microglial phenotypes on disease progression, and innovative strategies to target microglia for therapeutic benefit. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
- Microglial signaling pathways in health and disease.
- The role of mitochondria and oxidative stress in microglial function in the context of neurodegeneration.
- Crosstalk between microglia’s organelles in a pathological context.
- Emerging small-molecule or gene-based interventions focused on microglia modulation.
- Effects of microglial dysregulation on neuronal function.
Our aim is to foster a deeper understanding of microglial biology in the context of neurodegeneration and to highlight promising approaches for therapeutic intervention. We invite researchers from neuroscience, pharmacology, and related fields to contribute their findings to this impactful compilation.
Dr. Laura Jiménez Sánchez
Dr. María Martín Estebané
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- microglia
- inflammation
- neural damage
- mitochondria
- potential targets
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