Single-cell sequencing reveals reversible glial remodeling in the visual cortex during visual deprivation and recovery

Our study reveals a crucial neuroimmune mechanism that underlies experience-dependent cortical plasticity. We show that visual deprivation induces a reversible pro-inflammatory change in microglia within the visual cortex, marked by increased IL-17 and TNF-alpha signaling. This activation of microglia impairs oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination through the key regulator Zbtb16. Restoring normal vision reverses this inflammatory cascade and encourages remyelination. Our results establish the dynamic microglia-oligodendrocyte axis as a central mediator of sensory-driven plasticity, providing new immunomodulatory targets for visual rehabilitation.