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Updated: Dec 13, 2025
Obtaining Human Microglia from Adult Human Brain Tissue
Published on: August 30, 2020
Human fetal microglia acquire homeostatic immune-sensing properties early in development
L Kracht1, M Borggrewe1, S Eskandar1,2
1Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, Section Molecular Neurobiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.
Abstract:
Microglia, immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS), are important for tissue development and maintenance and are implicated in CNS disease, but we lack understanding of human fetal microglia development. Single-cell gene expression and bulk chromatin profiles of microglia at 9 to 18 gestational weeks (GWs) of human fetal development were generated. Microglia were heterogeneous at all studied GWs. Microglia start to mature during this developmental period and increasingly resemble adult microglia with CNS-surveilling properties. Chromatin accessibility increases during development with associated transcriptional networks reflective of adult microglia. Thus, during early fetal development, microglia progress toward a more mature, immune-sensing competent phenotype, and this might render the developing human CNS vulnerable to environmental perturbations during early pregnancy.
Insights
Human fetal microglia develop immune-sensing properties early in pregnancy. This maturation process may increase the developing central nervous system's vulnerability to environmental factors during gestation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Microglia are crucial immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS).
- Their development in human fetuses is poorly understood.
- Microglia play roles in tissue development, maintenance, and CNS diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the developmental trajectory of human fetal microglia.
- To characterize microglia heterogeneity and maturation from 9 to 18 gestational weeks (GWs).
Main Methods:
- Generated single-cell gene expression profiles.
- Analyzed bulk chromatin accessibility profiles.
- Studied microglia from 9 to 18 GWs of human fetal development.
Main Results:
- Human fetal microglia exhibit heterogeneity throughout development.
- Microglia mature progressively, acquiring properties similar to adult microglia.
- Chromatin accessibility increases, correlating with transcriptional networks of adult microglia.
Conclusions:
- During early fetal development, microglia acquire a mature, immune-competent phenotype.
- This maturation may render the developing human CNS susceptible to early pregnancy environmental influences.
