Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 10, 2026
Author Spotlight: Induced Microglia-Like Cell Technology to Shed Light on the Role of Microglial Dysfunction in Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Published on: September 6, 2024
Introducing directly induced microglia-like (iMG) cells from fresh human monocytes: a novel translational research
Masahiro Ohgidani1, Takahiro A Kato2, Shigenobu Kanba1
1Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University Fukuoka, Japan.
Abstract:
Microglia, glial cells with immunological functions, have been implicated in various neurological diseases and psychiatric disorders in rodent studies, and human postmortem and PET studies. However, the deeper molecular implications of living human microglia have not been clarified. Here, we introduce a novel translational research approach focusing on human microglia. We have recently developed a new technique for creating induced microglia-like (iMG) cells from human peripheral blood. Two cytokines, GM-CSF and IL-34, converted human monocytes into the iMG cells within 14 days, which show various microglial characterizations; expressing markers, forming a ramified morphology, and phagocytic activity with various cytokine releases. We have already confirmed the applicability of this technique by analyzing iMG cells from a patient of Nasu-Hakola disease (NHD; Ohgidani et al., 2014). We herein show possible applications of the iMG cells in translational research. We believe that this iMG technique will open the door to explore various unknown dynamic aspects of human microglia in psychiatric disorders. This also opens new routes for psychopharmacological approach such as drug efficacy screening and personalized medicine.
Insights
Researchers developed induced microglia-like (iMG) cells from human blood. This novel technique allows studying human microglia in neurological and psychiatric disorders, enabling drug screening and personalized medicine.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Microglia, immune cells in the brain, are implicated in neurological and psychiatric disorders.
- Previous studies relied on animal models or postmortem human tissues.
- The molecular functions of living human microglia remain poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel translational research approach using human microglia.
- To create induced microglia-like (iMG) cells from human peripheral blood.
- To enable the study of dynamic aspects of human microglia in disease and for drug development.
Main Methods:
- Human peripheral blood monocytes were converted into iMG cells.
- Cytokines GM-CSF and IL-34 were used for cell differentiation.
- The iMG cells were characterized by marker expression, morphology, and phagocytic activity.
Main Results:
- A 14-day protocol successfully generated iMG cells from human monocytes.
- iMG cells exhibited key microglial characteristics, including marker expression and phagocytosis.
- The technique's applicability was confirmed using cells from a Nasu-Hakola disease patient.
Conclusions:
- The iMG cell technique provides a new model for studying human microglia.
- This approach facilitates research into psychiatric and neurological disorders.
- iMG cells offer potential for psychopharmacological applications, including drug screening and personalized medicine.
More Related Videos
05:35Transplantation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Microglia in Immunocompetent Mice Brain via Non-Invasive Transnasal Route
Published on: May 31, 2022
11:19Human Microglia-like Cells: Differentiation from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and In Vitro Live-cell Phagocytosis Assay using Human Synaptosomes
Published on: August 18, 2022