Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026
09:12
Isolation of Cortical Microglia with Preserved Immunophenotype and Functionality From Murine Neonates
Published on: January 30, 2014
15.9K
Current methods for the microglia isolation: Overview and comparative analysis of approaches
E R Akhmetzyanova1, A A Rizvanov2, Y O Mukhamedshina2,3
1OpenLab Gene and Cell Technology, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008, Kazan, Russia. elyaelya18@gmail.com.
Cell and Tissue Research
|December 15, 2023
Summary
Microglia, crucial immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS), are vital for brain health and repair. This review explores methods for studying microglia in vitro and in vivo to advance understanding of neuropathology.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Microglia are key glial cells in the central nervous system (CNS), comprising approximately 10% of all CNS cells.
- They exhibit high plasticity and are critical for CNS damage response, immune defense, and maintaining homeostasis.
- Understanding microglia's role in neuropathology is essential due to their involvement in immune responses and tissue repair.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review methods for obtaining isolated microglia cultures.
- To discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various in vitro and in vivo models for studying microglia.
- To aid researchers in selecting appropriate methods for microglia isolation and study to gain new neurobiological insights.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on microglia isolation and culture techniques.
- Analysis of in vivo models for studying microglia behavior in neuropathological contexts.
- Evaluation of in vitro models for detailed investigation of intercellular interactions involving microglia.
Main Results:
- Identification of technological challenges in studying microglia-cell interactions in vivo.
- Highlighting the continued relevance and utility of in vitro models for in-depth mechanistic studies.
- Providing a comparative overview of methods for obtaining isolated microglia cultures.
Conclusions:
- Accurate methods for microglia isolation and study are crucial for advancing our understanding of neuropathology.
- Both in vivo and in vitro approaches offer unique advantages for studying microglia.
- This review assists researchers in choosing optimal methods to explore microglia's role in CNS health and disease.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Overview Of Cell Separation And Isolation
Cell separation was first achieved in 1964 by S. H. Seal, who separated large tumor cells from the smaller blood cells using filtration. Two years later, Pohl and Hawk performed experiments on how cells respond differently to a nonuniform electric field based on the cell type. Such observations were the inception of cell separation methods, which allow isolating a single cell type from a heterogeneous sample.
01:19MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry
Mass spectrometry is a powerful characterization technique that can identify and separate a wide variety of compounds ranging from chemical to biological entities, based on their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z). The instruments that allow this detection, known as mass spectrometers, have three components: an ion source, a mass analyzer, and a detector. These spectrometers differ based on the nature of their ion source and analyzers.Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) is a commonly...
01:21Mass Spectrometry: Complex Analysis
Mass spectrometry is an important technique for the identification of pure compounds. However, it has some limitations for the analysis of complex mixtures, often due to excessive fragmentation making the spectrum too complicated to decipher. Mass spectrometry can be combined with suitable separation methods in sequence, forming hyphenated methods, which are useful in the analysis of complex mixtures.
GC–MS is a powerful hyphenated method commonly used in forensics and environmental...
GC–MS is a powerful hyphenated method commonly used in forensics and environmental...
01:05Centrifugation
Centrifugation is a separation technique based on differences in density or size. It is commonly used to separate solids from aqueous interferents. During centrifugation, the sample is placed in centrifugation tubes and spun at high angular velocity, which allows centrifugal force to act differentially on the different densities or masses of the components. After spinning, the supernatant liquid is decanted. Depending on the specific application, either the pellet or the supernatant is retained...
01:08Size-Exclusion Chromatography
In size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), also known as molecular-exclusion or gel-permeation chromatography, molecules are separated based on their sizes. This technique is important for separating large molecules such as polymers and biomolecules. The two classes of micron-sized stationary phases encountered in SEC are silica particles and cross-linked polymer resin beads. Both materials are porous, but their pore sizes vary significantly.
Silica particles offer advantages such as rigidity,...
Silica particles offer advantages such as rigidity,...
01:30Capillary Electrophoresis: Applications
Capillary electrophoretic separations offer various modes, each with unique applications. These modes include capillary zone electrophoresis, capillary gel electrophoresis, capillary array electrophoresis, capillary isoelectric focusing, capillary isotachophoresis, micellar electrokinetic chromatography, and capillary electrochromatography.
Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) separates ionic components based on their electrophoretic mobility. It has been used to separate proteins, amino acids,...
Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) separates ionic components based on their electrophoretic mobility. It has been used to separate proteins, amino acids,...