Meningeal Macrophage and Microglial Dynamics in the Uninjured Brain

Representative time lapses of naive meningeal macrophages and microglia (green) captured by 2-photon microscopy through a surgically thinned skull in a CX3CR1gfp/+ mouse. Part 1, Naive meningeal macrophages are wormlike cells that reside primarily along meningeal blood vessels and continually scan the associated perivascular spaces. Part 2, Microglia residing in the parenchyma of the naive brain constantly extend and retract processes as part of their innate surveillance program. Blood vessels are labeled with quantum dots in red.