Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Does the presence of calcaneal spurs with associated oedema in plantar fasciitis affect the outcome of shockwave therapy?

Foot (Edinburgh, Scotland)·2026

Same author

Crenellated superior extensor retinaculum incision: A technical modification to facilitate closure in the anterior ankle approach.

Foot (Edinburgh, Scotland)·2026

Same author

Infection following foot and ankle surgery : a subanalysis of data captured from the UK Foot and Ankle Thromboembolism (FATE) audit.

The bone & joint journal·2026

Same author

Monitoring in vivo transcription with synthetic serum markers.

Nature communications·2026

Same author

Wedge tarsectomy using patient specific instrumentation for complex multiplanar foot deformity Reconstruction: A prospective case series.

Foot and ankle surgery : official journal of the European Society of Foot and Ankle Surgeons·2026

Same author

Position, size and orientation of the peroneus longus tubercle in patients with cavovarus feet.

Foot (Edinburgh, Scotland)·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 10, 2026

Transplantation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Microglia in Immunocompetent Mice Brain via Non-Invasive Transnasal Route

Transplantation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Microglia in Immunocompetent Mice Brain via Non-Invasive Transnasal Route

Published on: May 31, 2022

Controlled Delivery of a Neurotrophic Factor in the Adult Mouse Brain Using Engineered Microglia.

Rohan J Hofland¹, Marta Grońska-Pęski^1,2, Hiroko Nobuta^1,3

¹Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.

Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology

|November 24, 2025

Summary

Engineered microglia successfully repopulated mouse brains after ablation, delivering therapeutic Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). Constitutively active CSF1R enhanced transplant spread, showing microglia’s potential for targeted brain therapies.

Keywords:

Biological Sciences Microglia transplantation biologic delivery cell-based therapy lentiviral cell engineering

More Related Videos

Heterotopic Mucosal Engrafting Procedure for Direct Drug Delivery to the Brain in Mice

Heterotopic Mucosal Engrafting Procedure for Direct Drug Delivery to the Brain in Mice

Published on: July 16, 2014

Intracerebroventricular Viral Injection of the Neonatal Mouse Brain for Persistent and Widespread Neuronal Transduction

Intracerebroventricular Viral Injection of the Neonatal Mouse Brain for Persistent and Widespread Neuronal Transduction

Published on: September 15, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 10, 2026

Transplantation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Microglia in Immunocompetent Mice Brain via Non-Invasive Transnasal Route

Transplantation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Microglia in Immunocompetent Mice Brain via Non-Invasive Transnasal Route

Published on: May 31, 2022

Heterotopic Mucosal Engrafting Procedure for Direct Drug Delivery to the Brain in Mice

Heterotopic Mucosal Engrafting Procedure for Direct Drug Delivery to the Brain in Mice

Published on: July 16, 2014

Intracerebroventricular Viral Injection of the Neonatal Mouse Brain for Persistent and Widespread Neuronal Transduction

Intracerebroventricular Viral Injection of the Neonatal Mouse Brain for Persistent and Widespread Neuronal Transduction

Published on: September 15, 2014

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Immunology
Biotechnology

Background:

Microglia, the brain's immune cells, can be engineered for therapeutic delivery.
Current microglia replacement methods have limited clinical applicability.
CSF1R inhibitors offer a translational approach for microglia ablation but face engraftment challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a clinically relevant method for ablating endogenous microglia and repopulating the brain with engineered microglia.
To assess the therapeutic potential of microglia engineered to express Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF).
To enhance transplanted microglia engraftment and spread using a constitutively active CSF1R mutant (caCSF1R).

Main Methods:

Adult mice underwent microglia ablation using a CSF1R inhibitor.
Genetically engineered microglia expressing BDNF and caCSF1R were transplanted.
Doxycycline-inducible system controlled BDNF expression.
Engraftment, morphology, transcriptional profile, and functional responses of transplanted microglia were analyzed.

Main Results:

Transplanted microglia successfully ablated endogenous microglia and repopulated brain parenchyma.
Engineered microglia exhibited morphology and transcriptional profiles similar to host microglia.
Doxycycline treatment induced BDNF expression and TrkB phosphorylation in the host brain.
caCSF1R expression accelerated transplanted microglia spread and provided a competitive advantage.

Conclusions:

Genetically engineered microglia are a viable tool for delivering neurotrophic factors like BDNF to the brain in a controlled manner.
The use of CSF1R inhibitors and caCSF1R expression enhances the therapeutic potential and engraftment efficiency of transplanted microglia.
This study demonstrates a promising, translational strategy for microglia-based brain therapies.