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Updated: Aug 17, 2026
Human Microglia-like Cells: Differentiation from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and In Vitro Live-cell Phagocytosis Assay using Human Synaptosomes
Published on: August 18, 2022
Immortalized human microglial cell line: phenotypic expression
Atsushi Nagai1, Seiji Mishima, Yuri Ishida
1Department of Neurology, Shimane University School of Medicine, Izumo, Japan.
Abstract:
Microglia are a major neuroglial component of the CNS, playing an important role as resident immunocompetent and phagocytic cells in the CNS in the event of injury and disease. To understand the role of microglia in the CNS in health and diseases, we have recently established an immortalized clonal cell line of human microglia, HMO6, from human embryonic telencephalon tissue by using a retroviral vector encoding v-myc. This immortalized microglia HMO6 cell line exhibits cell-type-specific antigens for microglia, including CD11b (Mac-1), CD68, CD86 (B7-2), HLA-ABC, HLA-DR, and RCA-1 lectin, and actively phagocytoses latex beads.
Insights
Researchers developed HMO6, a new immortalized human microglia cell line. This tool aids in studying microglia
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Microglia are crucial immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS).
- They play vital roles in CNS injury and disease.
- Understanding microglia function in health and disease is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a reliable immortalized human microglia cell line.
- To facilitate research into the role of microglia in the CNS.
Main Methods:
- Established the HMO6 cell line from human embryonic telencephalon.
- Utilized retroviral vector encoding v-myc for immortalization.
- Characterized cell-type-specific antigens and phagocytic activity.
Main Results:
- The HMO6 cell line expresses key microglia markers (CD11b, CD68, CD86, HLA-ABC, HLA-DR, RCA-1).
- HMO6 cells demonstrate active phagocytosis of latex beads.
- This cell line provides a consistent model for microglia research.
Conclusions:
- The immortalized HMO6 human microglia cell line is a valuable research tool.
- It accurately represents key characteristics of primary microglia.
- HMO6 will advance studies on microglia in CNS health and disease.
