Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2026

Identifying Microglia and Peripheral Infiltrating Macrophages in the Injured Spinal Cords Using Flow Cytometry
Published on: June 24, 2025
Elevated phagocytic capacity directs innate spinal cord repair
Dana Klatt Shaw1, Vishnu Muraleedharan Saraswathy2, Anthony R McAdow2
1Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA; Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA.
Abstract:
Immune cells elicit a continuum of transcriptional states after spinal cord injury (SCI). In mammals, inefficient debris clearance and chronic inflammation impede recovery and overshadow pro-regenerative immune functions. We found that zebrafish SCI elicits transient immune activation and efficient debris clearance. Transcriptomics and genetic ablation showed zebrafish macrophages are highly phagocytic and required for regeneration. Comparisons between zebrafish and mammalian macrophages identified transcription and immune response regulator (tcim) as an immune-enriched regenerative gene. Deletion of zebrafish tcim impairs phagocytosis and regeneration and activates a pro-inflammatory signature in leukocytes. Tcim expression in zebrafish and mouse macrophages establishes its conserved roles by promoting lipid metabolism and the reprogramming of myeloid precursors into activated phagocytes. This study underscores a requirement for elevated phagocytic capacity to achieve innate spinal cord repair and identifies a gene with conserved function in mammalian cells.
More Related Videos
08:00Quantitative Assessment of Immune Cells in the Injured Spinal Cord Tissue by Flow Cytometry: a Novel Use for a Cell Purification Method
Published on: April 9, 2011
08:43Intravital Imaging of Axonal Interactions with Microglia and Macrophages in a Mouse Dorsal Column Crush Injury
Published on: November 23, 2014
Related Concept Videos
Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue
Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes
Natural Killer Cells: The Fast Responders
NK cells are large granular lymphocytes found in the blood and lymphatic system. These...
Inflammation
Inflammatory Response
Inflammation can be triggered by various stimuli, such as impact, abrasion, chemical irritation, infections, and extreme hot or cold temperatures. These can damage cells and connective tissue fibers,...
Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology
Acute Inflammation II: Cellular Phase