Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 13, 2026

Rapid and Refined CD11b Magnetic Isolation of Primary Microglia with Enhanced Purity and Versatility
07:54

Rapid and Refined CD11b Magnetic Isolation of Primary Microglia with Enhanced Purity and Versatility

Published on: April 13, 2017

10.3K

Microglial Replacement Reverses Age-Associated Epigenetic Modifications Despite Accelerating Epigenetic Age

Maria Arbaizar-Rovirosa1,2, Raúl F Pérez3, Alfonso Peñarroya4,5,6,7

  • 1Cerebrovascular Research Laboratory, Instituto de Investigaciones.

Aging and Disease
|October 24, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Microglial replacement may rejuvenate the brain by reversing age-related DNA methylation changes. This process, while accelerating epigenetic age, shows potential for treating age-related brain disorders.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Epigenetics
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Microglial replacement is a potential therapy for age-related brain disorders.
  • The impact of microglial replacement on epigenetic age is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate DNA methylation changes in microglia during aging.
  • To assess the effects of ischemic stroke and microglial depletion/repopulation (D/R) on microglial epigenetic age.
  • To determine if microglial repopulation reverses age-associated epigenetic changes.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of DNA methylation dynamics in microglia from young and old mice.
  • Application of epigenetic clocks to assess epigenetic age.
  • Genome-wide methylation profiling using DNA methylation arrays.
  • Evaluation of microglial D/R models and ischemic stroke.

Main Results:

  • Old microglia exhibit an aged DNA methylation profile.
  • Both stroke and microglial D/R accelerated epigenetic age.
  • Microglial repopulation reversed significant age-associated DNA methylation changes, especially in immune pathways.

Conclusions:

  • Microglial D/R accelerates epigenetic age but also reverses aging-associated methylation patterns.
  • Microglial replacement strategies may promote brain rejuvenation by reversing epigenetic aging.
  • Epigenetic age measures require careful interpretation in the context of cellular dynamics.

More Related Videos

Characterization and Isolation of Mouse Primary Microglia by Density Gradient Centrifugation10:21

Characterization and Isolation of Mouse Primary Microglia by Density Gradient Centrifugation

Published on: February 16, 2018

20.1K
Novel Passive Clearing Methods for the Rapid Production of Optical Transparency in Whole CNS Tissue06:14

Novel Passive Clearing Methods for the Rapid Production of Optical Transparency in Whole CNS Tissue

Published on: May 8, 2018

9.2K

Related Concept Videos

X-linked Traits01:19

X-linked Traits

In most mammalian species, females have two X sex chromosomes and males have an X and Y. As a result, mutations on the X chromosome in females may be masked by the presence of a normal allele on the second X. In contrast, a mutation on the X chromosome in males more often causes observable biological defects, as there is no normal X to compensate. Trait variations arising from mutations on the X chromosome are called “X-linked”.
Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?02:05

Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?

The genomes of eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of sequence which do not code for proteins or RNAs. Although some of these regions do contain crucial regulatory sequences, the vast majority of this DNA serves no known function. Typically, these regions of the genome are the ones in which the fastest change, in evolutionary terms, is observed, because there is typically little to no selection pressure acting on these regions to preserve their sequences.
In contrast, regions which code...
Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance02:30

Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance

Diploid organisms inherit genetic material through chromosomes from both parents. Copies of the same gene are known as alleles. In most cases, both alleles are simultaneously expressed and allow various cellular processes to function optimally. If one of the alleles is missing or mutated, the expression of the other allele can compensate; however, this is not true for all genes.
The expression of some genes depends on which parent passed the gene to the offspring, through a phenomenon known as...
Background and Environment Affect Phenotype02:27

Background and Environment Affect Phenotype

Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
Meiosis vs. Mitosis02:57

Meiosis vs. Mitosis

Cell division is necessary for growth and reproduction in organisms. Mitosis aids cell growth and development by dividing somatic cells. In contrast, meiosis causes the division of germ cells and plays an essential role in sexual reproduction. Due to their unique functional requirements, mitosis and meiosis differ from each other in multiple aspects.
Before the start of mitosis and meiosis I, the cell synthesizes DNA, resulting in two homologous copies of each chromosome. DNA synthesis is...
Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?02:05

Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?

The genomes of eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of sequence which do not code for proteins or RNAs. Although some of these regions do contain crucial regulatory sequences, the vast majority of this DNA serves no known function. Typically, these regions of the genome are the ones in which the fastest change, in evolutionary terms, is observed, because there is typically little to no selection pressure acting on these regions to preserve their sequences.
In contrast, regions which code...