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Updated: Jul 7, 2026
Isolation of Cortical Microglia with Preserved Immunophenotype and Functionality From Murine Neonates
Published on: January 30, 2014
Microtubule-associated protein 2-positive cells derived from microglia possess properties of functional neurons
Satoru Matsuda1, Tetsuhiro Niidome, Hideki Nonaka
1Department of Neuroscience for Drug Discovery, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Shimoadachi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.
Abstract:
Microglia are believed to play an important role in the regulation of phagocytosis, neuronal survival, neuronal cell death, and inflammation. Recent studies have demonstrated that microglia are multipotential stem cells that give rise to neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. However, the functional properties of neurons derived from microglia are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the possibility that microglia differentiate into functional neurons. Immunocytochemical study demonstrated that microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2)-positive cells were derived from microglia under differentiation conditions. Intracellular Ca(2+) imaging study demonstrated that KCl caused no significant changes in [Ca(2+)](i) in microglia, whereas it caused a remarkable increase in [Ca(2+)](i) in microglia-derived cells. Furthermore, electrophysiological study demonstrated that the spike waveform, firing rate, and tetrodotoxin sensitivity of extracellular action potentials evoked by 4-aminopyridine from microglia-derived MAP2-positive cells were nearly identical to those from cultured cortical neurons. These results suggest that microglia-derived MAP2-positive cells possess properties of functional neurons.
Insights
Microglia can transform into functional neurons. These microglia-derived neurons exhibit properties similar to those of standard cortical neurons, suggesting a new avenue for neural research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Stem Cell Biology
Background:
- Microglia are key regulators of brain immunity, neuronal survival, and cell death.
- Emerging evidence suggests microglia possess multipotential stem cell characteristics, capable of generating neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether microglia can differentiate into functional neurons.
- To characterize the properties of microglia-derived neurons.
Main Methods:
- Immunocytochemistry was used to identify microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2)-positive cells derived from microglia.
- Intracellular calcium (Ca2+) imaging was performed to assess cellular responses to KCl stimulation.
- Electrophysiological recordings were conducted to analyze action potentials in microglia-derived cells.
Main Results:
- Microglia successfully differentiated into MAP2-positive cells under specific conditions.
- Microglia-derived cells showed a significant increase in intracellular Ca2+ upon KCl stimulation, unlike microglia.
- Electrophysiological properties, including action potential waveform, firing rate, and tetrodotoxin sensitivity, were comparable to cultured cortical neurons.
Conclusions:
- Microglia can differentiate into cells exhibiting functional neuronal characteristics.
- These findings suggest that microglia-derived MAP2-positive cells possess the properties of functional neurons.
- This study opens new possibilities for understanding microglia's role in neurogenesis and neural repair.
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