The roles of immune factors in neurodevelopment

The development of the nervous system is a highly complex process orchestrated by a multitude of factors, including various immune elements. These immune components play a dual role, not only regulating the immune response but also actively influencing brain development under both physiological and...

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Main Authors: Chong Wang, Tingting He, Jie Qin, Jianwei Jiao, Fen Ji
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fncel.2025.1451889/full
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author Chong Wang
Chong Wang
Tingting He
Tingting He
Jie Qin
Jie Qin
Jie Qin
Jianwei Jiao
Jianwei Jiao
Jianwei Jiao
Fen Ji
Fen Ji
Fen Ji
author_facet Chong Wang
Chong Wang
Tingting He
Tingting He
Jie Qin
Jie Qin
Jie Qin
Jianwei Jiao
Jianwei Jiao
Jianwei Jiao
Fen Ji
Fen Ji
Fen Ji
author_sort Chong Wang
collection DOAJ
description The development of the nervous system is a highly complex process orchestrated by a multitude of factors, including various immune elements. These immune components play a dual role, not only regulating the immune response but also actively influencing brain development under both physiological and pathological conditions. The brain’s immune barrier includes microglia in the brain parenchyma, which act as resident macrophages, astrocytes that support neuronal function and contribute to the inflammatory response, as well as circulating immune cells that reside at the brain’s borders, including the choroid plexus, meninges, and perivascular spaces. Cytokines—soluble signaling molecules released by immune cells—play a crucial role in mediating communication between immune cells and the developing nervous system. Cytokines regulate processes such as neurogenesis, synaptic pruning, and inflammation, helping to shape the neural environment. Dysregulation of these immune cells, astrocytes, or cytokine signaling can lead to alterations in neurodevelopment, potentially contributing to neurodevelopmental abnormalities. This article reviews the central role of microglia, astrocytes, cytokines, and other immune factors in neurodevelopment, and explores how neuroinflammation can lead to the onset of neurodevelopmental disorders, shedding new light on their pathogenesis.
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spelling doaj-art-a551b5313327479e9fe5c8df63dca4302025-08-20T03:08:35ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience1662-51022025-04-011910.3389/fncel.2025.14518891451889The roles of immune factors in neurodevelopmentChong Wang0Chong Wang1Tingting He2Tingting He3Jie Qin4Jie Qin5Jie Qin6Jianwei Jiao7Jianwei Jiao8Jianwei Jiao9Fen Ji10Fen Ji11Fen Ji12State Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, ChinaUniversity of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, ChinaUniversity of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, ChinaBeijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, ChinaUniversity of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, ChinaBeijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, ChinaUniversity of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, ChinaBeijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, ChinaThe development of the nervous system is a highly complex process orchestrated by a multitude of factors, including various immune elements. These immune components play a dual role, not only regulating the immune response but also actively influencing brain development under both physiological and pathological conditions. The brain’s immune barrier includes microglia in the brain parenchyma, which act as resident macrophages, astrocytes that support neuronal function and contribute to the inflammatory response, as well as circulating immune cells that reside at the brain’s borders, including the choroid plexus, meninges, and perivascular spaces. Cytokines—soluble signaling molecules released by immune cells—play a crucial role in mediating communication between immune cells and the developing nervous system. Cytokines regulate processes such as neurogenesis, synaptic pruning, and inflammation, helping to shape the neural environment. Dysregulation of these immune cells, astrocytes, or cytokine signaling can lead to alterations in neurodevelopment, potentially contributing to neurodevelopmental abnormalities. This article reviews the central role of microglia, astrocytes, cytokines, and other immune factors in neurodevelopment, and explores how neuroinflammation can lead to the onset of neurodevelopmental disorders, shedding new light on their pathogenesis.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fncel.2025.1451889/fullcytokinemicrogliameningesmaternal immune activationimmunity
spellingShingle Chong Wang
Chong Wang
Tingting He
Tingting He
Jie Qin
Jie Qin
Jie Qin
Jianwei Jiao
Jianwei Jiao
Jianwei Jiao
Fen Ji
Fen Ji
Fen Ji
The roles of immune factors in neurodevelopment
Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience
cytokine
microglia
meninges
maternal immune activation
immunity
title The roles of immune factors in neurodevelopment
title_full The roles of immune factors in neurodevelopment
title_fullStr The roles of immune factors in neurodevelopment
title_full_unstemmed The roles of immune factors in neurodevelopment
title_short The roles of immune factors in neurodevelopment
title_sort roles of immune factors in neurodevelopment
topic cytokine
microglia
meninges
maternal immune activation
immunity
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fncel.2025.1451889/full
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