Preprint: Evolved differences in microglial cell biology between surface and cave populations of Astyanax mexicanus

WHY IT MATTERS

Understanding how microglia evolve could help researchers develop treatments for neurological conditions where immune cells in the brain don't work properly, potentially benefiting patients with neurodegenerative diseases or neuroinflammatory disorders.

Scientists studied brain cells called microglia in two types of Mexican tetras—one that lives in caves and one that lives in rivers. Microglia are immune cells in the brain that clean up dead cells and help shape how the brain develops. The researchers found that cave-dwelling fish have different microglia than surface-dwelling fish, which might explain why cave fish have weaker immune systems and different behaviors.

Evolved differences in microglial cell biology between surface and cave populations of Astyanax mexicanus Authors: Mendez Scolari, E. et al. Server: bioRxiv Category: evolutionary biology Abstract: Microglia govern multiple aspects of brain architecture and function by eliminating dying cells, stimulating neurogenesis, refining neural connections, and orchestrating immune responses. The Mexican tetra, Astyanax mexicanus, is a powerful model system for investigating the evolution of brain function, yet microglia have not been investigated in this system. A. mexicanus exists as surface-dwelling and cave morphotypes with prominent behavioral and physiological differences. Notably, these evolved behavioral and physiological changes in cavefish, including diminished immune response, sleep, ci