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Isolation of Region-specific Microglia from One Adult Mouse Brain Hemisphere for Deep Single-cell RNA Sequencing
Published on: December 3, 2019
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Analysis of the microglia transcriptome across the human lifespan using single cell RNA sequencing
Moein Yaqubi1, Adam M R Groh1, Marie-France Dorion1
1Neuroimmunology Unit, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
Journal of Neuroinflammation
|May 30, 2023
Summary
Human microglia transcriptional landscape changes with development. Pre-natal microglia are phagocytic, while adult microglia are more pro-inflammatory, responding to the changing brain environment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Microglia are crucial resident macrophages in the central nervous system.
- They play vital roles in brain development and maintaining homeostasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the transcriptional landscape of human microglia across different developmental stages.
- To understand how microglial gene expression evolves from prenatal to adult stages.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of ex vivo human microglia transcriptional profiles from prenatal, pediatric, adolescent, and adult brain samples.
- Validation using ELISA and RNAscope techniques.
- Trajectory analysis to infer developmental trajectories.
Main Results:
- Prenatal microglia exhibit distinct transcriptional signatures, with upregulated phagocytic pathways and CD36 expression.
- Adult microglia display a more pro-inflammatory profile, with increased cytokine secretion (e.g., IL18, CXCR4) upon LPS stimulation.
- Microglial transcriptional changes reflect adaptation to the evolving brain microenvironment, not predetermined states.
Conclusions:
- This study offers novel insights into human microglia development.
- Provides a valuable reference for investigating microglial roles in developmental and age-related neurological diseases.
