Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40244609›Full record

ArticleInvestigative ophthalmology & visual science2025

The Influence of Changes in Microglia Development on the Plasticity of the Developing Visual Cortex Circuit in Juvenile Mice.

Xuechun Wang, Kuan Li, Lingzhi Guo, Xinlong Liu, Yatu Guo, Wei Zhang

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Investigative ophthalmology & visual science, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Establishing a continuum of cell types in the visual cortex.bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology · 2025
    Article
  2. [Research Progress on the Mechanisms of Visual Cortical Plasticity].Sichuan da xue xue bao. Yi xue ban = Journal of Sichuan University. Medical science edition · 2025
    Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Xuechun WangClinical College of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
Kuan LiDepartment of Respiratory Medicine, Haihe Hospital, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.
Lingzhi GuoInstitute of Ophthalmology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
Xinlong LiuClinical College of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
Yatu GuoClinical College of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
Wei ZhangClinical College of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the role of microglial subtypes in mouse visual cortex development, focusing on ocular dominance plasticity and interactions with GABAergic neurons and the extracellular matrix. Methods: Immunofluorescence and single-nucleus RNA-sequencing (snRNA-seq) were used to study microglia in the binocular primary visual cortex (V1) from postnatal day (P) 11 to P42. Gene ontology (GO) analysis assessed synapse organization, and the impact of microglial disruption on ocular dominance plasticity was examined. Visual evoked potentials and miniature postsynaptic current recordings are used to monitor functional changes in V1. Results: Microglia underwent a marked expansion between P11 and P21 and stabilized after P35, coinciding with notable changes in gene expression that aligned with synaptic remodeling. GO analysis at P14 and P28 revealed significant enrichment in synaptic organization linked to microglia. Single-nucleus RNA sequencing identified six distinct microglial clusters, among which two functionally relevant subpopulations were closely linked to cortical synaptic plasticity. One cluster, enriched in inflammatory responses and endocytosis, peaked at P21, whereas another cluster, associated with synapse organization and signaling, exhibited dynamic changes after eye opening and during the critical period, significantly influencing cortical synaptic plasticity. In parallel, perineuronal nets (PNNs) and PV(+) interneuron populations increased and reached steady levels by P42, suggesting that microglia help coordinate the timing of inhibitory circuit maturation. Disrupting microglial function during the critical period impaired ocular dominance plasticity, but this effect was reversed after treatment cessation. Mechanistically, microglial depletion enhanced PV(+) interneuron numbers, elevated PNN expression, and altered synapse development. Conclusions: Our findings highlight specific microglial subtypes as key regulators of cortical synapse development and plasticity through their interactions with PV(+) interneurons and PNNs. These insights advance our understanding of microglial contributions to visual cortex development and provide potential avenues for targeting microglial function to modulate cortical plasticity.

Indexed as

Dominance, OcularMicrogliaNeuronal PlasticityPrimary Visual CortexVisual CortexAnimalsAnimals, NewbornEvoked Potentials, VisualFemaleGABAergic NeuronsMaleMiceMice, Inbred C57BLSynapses

Identifiers

PMID40244609
PMCPMC12013681

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.