Which cells are immune cells of the nervous system that remove debris, dead cells, and pathogens?

Which cells are immune cells of the nervous system that remove debris, dead cells, and pathogens?

• A. Astrocytes
• B. Oligodendrocytes
• C. Microglia
• D. Schwann cells

Answer: (C)

Microglia are the brain’s resident immune cells. They continuously survey the neural environment with their long, branching processes, ready to act at a moment’s notice. When there’s injury, infection, or the presence of debris, microglia retract their processes and become amoeboid phagocytes that engulf and digest dead cells, pathogens, and other waste. They also release signaling molecules to coordinate inflammatory responses and help recruit other immune cells as needed. This phagocytic and immune role is what sets microglia apart from other glial cells: astrocytes support neurons and the blood-brain barrier, regulate neurotransmitter and ion balance, and participate in repair in a more supportive way; oligodendrocytes form myelin in the CNS; Schwann cells form myelin in the PNS. So the cells responsible for removing debris, dead cells, and pathogens in the nervous system are microglia.

Microglia are the brain’s resident immune cells. They continuously survey the neural environment with their long, branching processes, ready to act at a moment’s notice. When there’s injury, infection, or the presence of debris, microglia retract their processes and become amoeboid phagocytes that engulf and digest dead cells, pathogens, and other waste. They also release signaling molecules to coordinate inflammatory responses and help recruit other immune cells as needed. This phagocytic and immune role is what sets microglia apart from other glial cells: astrocytes support neurons and the blood-brain barrier, regulate neurotransmitter and ion balance, and participate in repair in a more supportive way; oligodendrocytes form myelin in the CNS; Schwann cells form myelin in the PNS. So the cells responsible for removing debris, dead cells, and pathogens in the nervous system are microglia.