Complement C1q/C3-CR3 signaling pathway mediates abnormal microglial phagocytosis of synapses in a mouse model of depression

Both functional brain imaging studies and autopsy reports have indicated the presence of synaptic loss in the brains of depressed patients. The activated microglia may dysfunctionally engulf neuronal synapses, leading to synaptic loss and behavioral impairments in depression. However, the mechanisms of microglial-synaptic interaction under depressive conditions remain unclear.