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Transcriptional profiling of macaque microglia reveals an evolutionary preserved gene expression program

M L Dubbelaar1, C Misrielal1, J J Bajramovic2

  • 1Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells & Systems, Section Molecular Neurobiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.

Brain, Behavior, & Immunity - Health
|September 30, 2021
PubMed

Insights

This study profiles macaque microglia gene expression, revealing conserved functions across species. It highlights microglia

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Microglia are crucial resident macrophages in the central nervous system (CNS).
  • They play vital roles in CNS development, homeostasis, and immune surveillance.
  • Microglia respond to environmental changes, damage, and pathogens within the CNS.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To generate a gene expression profile of rhesus macaque microglia.
  • To compare macaque microglia transcriptomes with those from mouse, zebrafish, and human CNS tissues.
  • To identify conserved gene expression signatures and evolutionary core functions of microglia across species.

Main Methods:

  • Purification of microglia from rhesus macaque CNS tissue.
  • Transcriptome sequencing to generate a gene expression profile (666 transcripts).
  • Comparative analysis of macaque microglia transcriptome with data from mouse, zebrafish, and human microglia.

Main Results:

  • A comprehensive gene expression profile for macaque microglia was established.
  • Extensive overlap (342 genes) was found between macaque and human microglia transcriptomes.
  • Zebrafish microglia showed the most distinct gene expression profile compared to other species.
  • An evolutionary core gene expression signature conserved across all four species was identified.

Conclusions:

  • The study provides a valuable transcriptomic resource for macaque microglia.
  • Microglia possess a conserved gene expression program across diverse species, emphasizing their specialized role as CNS-surveilling innate immune cells.
  • Findings underscore the conserved tissue-specific functions of microglia as CNS-tailored macrophages.
Keywords:
HumanMacaqueMicrogliaMouseTranscriptomicsZebrafish

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