Microglia are increasingly shown to be key players in neuron development and synapse connectivity. However, the underlying mechanisms by which microglia regulate neuron function remain poorly understood in part because such analysis is challenging in the brain where neurons and synapses are intermingled and connectivity is only beginning to be mapped. Here, we discuss the features and function of microglia in the ordered mammalian retina where the laminar organization of neurons and synapses facilitates such molecular studies. We discuss microglia origins and consider the evidence for molecularly distinct microglia subpopulations and their potential for differential roles with a particular focus on the early stages of retina development. We then review the models and methods used for the study of these cells and discuss emerging data that link retina microglia to the genesis and survival of particular retina cell subtypes. We also highlight potential roles for microglia in shaping the development and organization of the vasculature and discuss cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in this process. Such insights may help resolve the mechanisms by which retinal microglia impact visual function and help guide studies of related features in brain development and disease.

中文翻译：

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小胶质细胞在视网膜发育中。

小胶质细胞日益显示出是神经元发育和突触连接的关键参与者。然而，小胶质细胞调节神经元功能的基本机制仍然知之甚少，部分原因是这种分析在大脑中具有挑战性，因为大脑中神经元和突触混杂在一起，连接性才刚刚开始绘制。在这里，我们讨论有序的哺乳动物视网膜中的小胶质细胞的特征和功能，其中神经元和突触的层状组织促进了这种分子研究。我们讨论了小胶质细胞的起源，并考虑了分子上不同的小胶质细胞亚群的证据以及它们发挥不同作用的潜力，尤其着眼于视网膜发育的早期阶段。然后，我们回顾用于研究这些细胞的模型和方法，并讨论将视网膜小胶质细胞与特定视网膜细胞亚型的发生和存活联系起来的新兴数据。我们还强调了小胶质细胞在塑造脉管系统的发育和组织中的潜在作用，并讨论了此过程中涉及的细胞和分子机制。这种见解可能有助于解决视网膜小胶质细胞影响视觉功能的机制，并有助于指导大脑发育和疾病相关特征的研究。