Lipid droplet accumulation in microglia and their potential roles

Abstract Microglia are the resident immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS), where lipid metabolism is critical for maintaining homeostasis. In response to various external stimuli, they demonstrate a range of phenotypic expressions and lipid metabolic reprogramming. Lipid droplets (LDs) ar...

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Main Authors: Yunxia Li, Qi Zhao, Yan Wang, Wenyi Du, Riyun Yang, Jian Wu, Yi Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-06-01
Series:Lipids in Health and Disease
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12944-025-02633-3
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author Yunxia Li
Qi Zhao
Yan Wang
Wenyi Du
Riyun Yang
Jian Wu
Yi Li
author_facet Yunxia Li
Qi Zhao
Yan Wang
Wenyi Du
Riyun Yang
Jian Wu
Yi Li
author_sort Yunxia Li
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Microglia are the resident immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS), where lipid metabolism is critical for maintaining homeostasis. In response to various external stimuli, they demonstrate a range of phenotypic expressions and lipid metabolic reprogramming. Lipid droplets (LDs) are dynamic organelles that function beyond energy storage, actively participating in neuropathological progress. Recent investigations have identified a subset of microglia characterized by the accumulation of LDs, referred to as “lipid-droplet-accumulating microglia” (LDAM). This review aims to investigate the processes involved in LD formation and degradation, the factors that modulate them, focusing particularly on the function of LDAM and their implications for CNS disorders. By synthesizing current evidence, we clarify the biological significance of LDs in these cells and their therapeutic targeting potential, providing new directions for future research.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1476-511X
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series Lipids in Health and Disease
spelling doaj-art-ec4286cb7b5b4eed955c718fc49945aa2025-08-20T04:03:07ZengBMCLipids in Health and Disease1476-511X2025-06-0124111810.1186/s12944-025-02633-3Lipid droplet accumulation in microglia and their potential rolesYunxia Li0Qi Zhao1Yan Wang2Wenyi Du3Riyun Yang4Jian Wu5Yi Li6Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Nantong UniversityDepartment of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Nantong UniversityDepartment of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Nantong UniversityDepartment of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Nantong UniversityDepartment of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Nantong UniversityDepartment of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Nantong UniversityDepartment of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Nantong UniversityAbstract Microglia are the resident immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS), where lipid metabolism is critical for maintaining homeostasis. In response to various external stimuli, they demonstrate a range of phenotypic expressions and lipid metabolic reprogramming. Lipid droplets (LDs) are dynamic organelles that function beyond energy storage, actively participating in neuropathological progress. Recent investigations have identified a subset of microglia characterized by the accumulation of LDs, referred to as “lipid-droplet-accumulating microglia” (LDAM). This review aims to investigate the processes involved in LD formation and degradation, the factors that modulate them, focusing particularly on the function of LDAM and their implications for CNS disorders. By synthesizing current evidence, we clarify the biological significance of LDs in these cells and their therapeutic targeting potential, providing new directions for future research.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12944-025-02633-3Lipid dropletsMicrogliaCentral nervous systemNeurological disordersLipid metabolism
spellingShingle Yunxia Li
Qi Zhao
Yan Wang
Wenyi Du
Riyun Yang
Jian Wu
Yi Li
Lipid droplet accumulation in microglia and their potential roles
Lipids in Health and Disease
Lipid droplets
Microglia
Central nervous system
Neurological disorders
Lipid metabolism
title Lipid droplet accumulation in microglia and their potential roles
title_full Lipid droplet accumulation in microglia and their potential roles
title_fullStr Lipid droplet accumulation in microglia and their potential roles
title_full_unstemmed Lipid droplet accumulation in microglia and their potential roles
title_short Lipid droplet accumulation in microglia and their potential roles
title_sort lipid droplet accumulation in microglia and their potential roles
topic Lipid droplets
Microglia
Central nervous system
Neurological disorders
Lipid metabolism
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12944-025-02633-3
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AT qizhao lipiddropletaccumulationinmicrogliaandtheirpotentialroles
AT yanwang lipiddropletaccumulationinmicrogliaandtheirpotentialroles
AT wenyidu lipiddropletaccumulationinmicrogliaandtheirpotentialroles
AT riyunyang lipiddropletaccumulationinmicrogliaandtheirpotentialroles
AT jianwu lipiddropletaccumulationinmicrogliaandtheirpotentialroles
AT yili lipiddropletaccumulationinmicrogliaandtheirpotentialroles