A modulatory influence of either of the two chemokine pathways and in particular of Cx3cr1 signalling on retinal degenerations, is further supported by the observation that Iba1+ microglia cells, which express Cx3cr1 in the retina [1], are recruited to the primary site of pathology and interact with the degenerating cells in the outer retina. The gene discussed is AIF1; the disease is retinal degeneration.