Chinese scientists identify microglia in peripheral nervous system for first time

A team of Chinese scientists has confirmed the existence of microglia in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) for the first time, marking an advance in neuroscience and offering promising new directions for treating neurological and developmental disorders. This is reported by China Daily, a partner of TV BRICS.

The research conducted under the Chinese Academy of Sciences challenges the long-standing assumption that microglia are exclusive to the central nervous system (CNS), significantly expanding current understanding of immune cell function in neural development and disease.

In total, the research team analysed tissues from 24 species, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. Their results show that PNS microglia likely emerged over 450 million years ago, tracing back to a common ancestor of bony fish.

The presence of microglia in the PNS opens entirely new avenues for investigating and treating neurological disorders. For example, their activity could influence congenital nervous system malformations, immune responses to nerve injury, and mechanisms of neural regeneration.

According to the source, this breakthrough paves the way for more accurate disease models and the development of new therapeutic strategies targeting microglial behaviour in the PNS.

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