Activated microglia contact and engulf Pax6+ precursor cells.

Higher magnification of pineal gland sections immunolabeled for Iba1 (red, yellow arrows), ED1 (blue, yellow arrows) and Pax6 (green, yellow arrowheads). (A¹-A⁶) Microglial cells with an activated morphology are enriched in cytoplasmic ED1-positive bodies and engulf Pax6^high nuclei and elements. (B¹-B⁶) Microglia with few thick projections contacting and surrounding Pax6^high precursor cells. (A¹-A⁵, B¹-B⁵) 4x and 3.6x digital zooms from 60x images, respectively; scale bar: 5 μm. (A⁶, B⁶) 3D reconstruction of phagocytic microglia/Pax6^high precursor cells or elements interactions.