The participation of sialic acids in microglia-neuron interactions

► Sialidases reduce neurite and cell body density in microglia-neuron co-cultures. ► Siglec-F receptor is present on the surface of embryonic stem cells derived microglia. ► Enzymatic removal of sialic acids reduce affinity of Siglec-F to neuronal surface. ► Sialic acid-Siglec-F interactions protect neuronal integrity.