Topic: spine elimination

Microglia continuously remodel synapses, which are embedded in the extracellular matrix (ECM). However, the mechanisms which govern this process remain elusive. To investigate the influence of the neural ECM in synaptic remodeling by microglia, we disrupted ECM integrity by injection of chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) into the retrosplenial cortex of healthy adult mice. Using in vivo two-photon microscopy we found that ChABC treatment increased microglial branching and ECM phagocytic capacity and decreased spine elimination rate under basal conditions. Moreover, ECM attenuation largely prevented sy