Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 11, 2026

In vivo Electroporation of Developing Mouse Retina
Published on: June 24, 2011
Sall1 Regulates Microglial Morphology Cell Autonomously in the Developing Retina
Hideto Koso1, Ryuichi Nishinakamura2, Sumiko Watanabe3
1Division of Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
The Sall1 gene is crucial for microglial cell morphology during retinal development. Sall1 deficiency causes abnormal microglial shapes in developing retinas, confirming its cell-autonomous role.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Retinal degeneration involves microglial activation and macrophage infiltration.
- Sall1 is a microglial-specific transcription factor.
- Previous studies showed Sall1 knockout mice have altered microglial morphology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if Sall1 functions autonomously in microglia.
- To investigate the role of Sall1 in microglial morphology during retinal development.
Main Methods:
- Generated Sall1 conditional knockout mice.
- Depleted Sall1 specifically in Cx3cr1+ microglia.
- Analyzed microglial morphology in embryonic and postnatal retinas.
Main Results:
- Sall1-deficient microglia showed abnormal, amoeboid morphology at embryonic day 18.
- This phenotype mimicked Sall1 knockout mice, proving cell-autonomous regulation.
- Postnatal microglial morphology normalized by postnatal day 21.
Conclusions:
- Sall1 is essential for microglial ramification in the developing retina.
- Sall1's role in microglial morphology is cell-autonomous.
- Sall1 is not essential for microglial morphology in the postnatal retina.
More Related Videos
10:40Immunofluorescence Staining Using IBA1 and TMEM119 for Microglial Density, Morphology and Peripheral Myeloid Cell Infiltration Analysis in Mouse Brain
Published on: October 27, 2019
12:48In Vivo Dynamics of Retinal Microglial Activation During Neurodegeneration: Confocal Ophthalmoscopic Imaging and Cell Morphometry in Mouse Glaucoma
Published on: May 11, 2015
Related Concept Videos
pH Regulation in Cells
Cytosolic pH
Under physiological conditions, the cytosolic pH is slightly more acidic than the extracellular pH. However, cells must prevent further acidification of their cytosol to...
Autonomic Nervous System
The ANS comprises two main divisions: the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions. These divisions function antagonistically to maintain a dynamic...
The Retina
Neural Regulation
Epigenetic Regulation
Master Transcription Regulators