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Updated: Oct 1, 2025
Isolation and Culture of Rodent Microglia to Promote a Dynamic Ramified Morphology in Serum-free Medium
Published on: March 9, 2018
Current Methods for the Isolation and Cultivation of Microglia (Review)
N A Malinovskaya1, O V Frolova2, K O Shishelova3
1Professor, Department of Biological Chemistry with Courses in Medical, Pharmaceutical and Toxicological Chemistry; Krasnoyarsk State Medical University named after Professor V. F. Voino-Yasenetsky, 1 Partizana Zheleznyaka St., Krasnoyarsk, 660022, Russia.
Abstract:
The role and morphological features of microglia (M1 and M2 microglia, "stellate", "amoeboid", giant, round-shaped, rod-shaped, dysfunctional, etc.) in vivo under physiological conditions and during the development of neurodegenerative diseases have been described. Various methods and techniques of microglia isolation from adult (density gradient isolation, use of "magnetic beads", from mesenchymal bone marrow progenitor cells) and newborn (obtaining from a mixed glial culture, density gradient isolation) animals have been considered, including microglia isolation from the cerebral cortex or hippocampus. Various methods of cell cultivation have been shown, including obtaining two-dimensional and three-dimensional cell cultures (on scaffolds, hydrogels, nanofibers), co-cultures on slice cultures of the hippocampus, as well as changes in microglia during cultivation.
Insights
This study details microglia morphology and isolation methods for studying neurodegenerative diseases. It covers various techniques for obtaining and culturing these crucial brain cells in vivo and in vitro.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Microglia, the brain's immune cells, exhibit diverse morphologies (e.g., M1/M2, stellate, amoeboid) and play critical roles.
- Understanding microglia is vital for neurodegenerative disease research.
- Their in vivo characteristics under physiological and pathological conditions require detailed study.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively review microglia morphology and function.
- To describe various methods for microglia isolation from animal models.
- To explore different cell culture techniques for microglia research.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on microglia morphology and behavior in vivo.
- Analysis of established and novel microglia isolation techniques (density gradient, magnetic beads, progenitor cells).
- Examination of diverse cell culture methodologies (2D, 3D cultures, co-cultures, slice cultures).
Main Results:
- Detailed descriptions of various microglia morphologies and their relevance.
- Comparison of different isolation strategies for adult and neonatal microglia.
- Characterization of microglia behavior and changes during in vitro cultivation.
Conclusions:
- Accurate microglia isolation and culture are essential for studying their role in health and disease.
- Diverse methodologies allow for tailored approaches to microglia research.
- Further investigation into microglia cultivation is needed to fully understand their dynamic nature.
