Frontiers in Neuroscience · Oct 22, 2026
Microglia in the neurogenic niche: emerging roles of immunometabolism
By Liu D, Li Y, Liu Y
Adult neurogenesis is dynamically regulated by the neurogenic niche, yet the mechanisms governing its remodeling are not fully elucidated. Current research has increasingly extended beyond the intrinsic properties of neural stem cells to consider the broader microenvironment in which neurogenesis occurs, with microglia emerging as important regulators of the neurogenic niche. Drawing upon pathological contexts such as depression and aging, this review characterizes the hallmarks of neurogenic niche dysregulation and synthesizes the mechanisms by which microglia modulate neurogenic efficiency. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of immunometabolism in shaping microglial functional states and subsequent niche remodeling. We propose that microglial immunometabolic states may serve as an important interface through which pathological perturbations within the brain are linked to remodeling of the neurogenic niche, providing a conceptual framework for understanding neurogenic decline across distinct pathological contexts.