Microglia control glutamatergic synapses in the adult mouse hippocampus

• DOI: 10.1101/2021.02.01.429096
• Publication Date: 2021-02-03T01:14:08Z
• Authors: Bernadette Basilico; Laura Ferrucci; Patrizia Ratano; Maria T. Golia; Alfonso Grimaldi; Maria Rosito; Valentina Ferretti; Ingrid Reverte; Maria C. Marrone; Maria Giubettini; Valeria De Turris; Debora Salerno; Stefano Garofalo; Marie-Kim St-Pierre; Micael Carrier; Massimiliano Renzi; Francesca Pagani; Marcello Raspa; Ferdinando Scavizzi; Cornelius T. Gross; Silvia Marinelli; Marie E. Tremblay; Daniele Caprioli; Laura Maggi; Cristina Limatola; Silvia Di Angelan...; Davide Ragozzino

ABSTRACT Microglial cells are active players in regulating synaptic development and plasticity the brain. However, how these influence normal functioning of synapses is largely unknown. In this study, we characterized effects pharmacological depletion microglia, achieved by administration PLX5622, on hippocampal CA3-CA1 adult wild type mice. Following microglial depletion, observed a reduction spontaneous evoked glutamatergic activity associated with decrease dendritic spine density. We also appearance immature features accompanied higher levels plasticity. addition, microglia depleted mice showed deficit acquisition Novel Object Recognition task. Remarkably, repopulation after PLX5622 withdrawal was recovery learning functions. Altogether, data demonstrate that contribute to brain their removal induces reversible changes organization synapses.