MFG-E8 in Microglial Regulation: A Review of Basic Research in the Central Nervous System

Microglia are resident immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS) that play important roles under both physiological and pathological conditions. Milk fat globule-epidermal growth factor 8 (MFG-E8) is a glycoprotein that regulates various microglial functions and has a crucial impact on CNS health and disease. MFG-E8 promotes phagocytosis and anti-inflammatory responses and inhibits oxidative stress in microglia, thereby exerting neuroprotective effects and reducing neuroinflammation in diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Additionally, it promotes neural regeneration by stimulating the neurogenesis of neural progenitor cells and enhancing tissue repair. However, MFG-E8 may also regulate microglia to exert pro-tumor effects, facilitating CNS tumor invasion and making it a potential therapeutic target. This review focuses on targeting MFG-E8 to regulate microglial function and provides a basis for identifying therapeutic targets for CNS diseases in the future.