Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 25, 2026
Flow Cytometry and Single-Cell Analysis for Characterizing Microglia Activation in Early Postnatal Mouse Brain Development
Published on: October 3, 2025
Flow cytometric characterization of microglia in the offspring of PolyI:C treated mice
Marie Pierre Manitz1, Jennifer Plümper1, Seray Demir2
1Department of Psychiatry, LWL University Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Alexandrinenstr. 1, D-44791 Bochum, Germany.
Abstract:
The neuropathology of schizophrenia has been reported to be closely associated with microglial activation. In a previous study, using the prenatal PolyI:C schizophrenia animal model, we showed an increase in cell numbers and a reduction in microglial branching in 30-day-old PolyI:C descendants, which suggests that there is microglial activation during adolescence. To provide more information about the activation state, we aimed to examine the expression levels of Iba1, which was reported to be up-regulated in activated microglia. We used a flow cytometric approach and investigated CD11b and CD45, two additional markers for the identification of microglial cells. We demonstrated that intracellular staining against Iba1 can be used as a reliable flow cytometric method for identification of microglial cells. Prenatal PolyI:C treatment had long-term effects on CD11b and CD45 expression. It also resulted in a trend towards increased Iba1 expression. Imbalance in CD11b, CD45, and Iba1 expression might contribute to impaired synaptic surveillance and enhanced activation/inflammatory activity of microglia in adult offspring.
Insights
Prenatal PolyI:C exposure alters microglial cell markers in offspring, suggesting long-term neuroinflammation and potential schizophrenia pathology. This study validates Iba1 as a marker for activated microglia.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Schizophrenia neuropathology is linked to microglial activation.
- Previous studies indicated adolescent microglial activation in a prenatal PolyI:C model.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate microglial activation markers (Iba1, CD11b, CD45) in adult offspring exposed to prenatal PolyI:C.
- To establish Iba1 intracellular staining as a reliable flow cytometry method for microglial identification.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a prenatal PolyI:C induced schizophrenia animal model.
- Employed flow cytometry with CD11b, CD45, and intracellular Iba1 staining.
- Analyzed microglial cell marker expression in adult offspring.
Main Results:
- Validated intracellular Iba1 staining for microglial identification via flow cytometry.
- Demonstrated long-term alterations in CD11b and CD45 expression due to prenatal PolyI:C.
- Observed a trend towards increased Iba1 expression in offspring.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal PolyI:C exposure induces lasting changes in microglial immunophenotype.
- Altered CD11b, CD45, and Iba1 expression may contribute to synaptic dysfunction and neuroinflammation in schizophrenia.
- Iba1 is a viable marker for assessing microglial activation states in flow cytometry.
