Gene expression in spinal cord microglia during demyelination and remyelination following neuroattenuated JHMV infection
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ABSTRACT: Microglia are considered both pathogenic and protective during recovery from demyelination, but their precise role remains ill-defined. Here, using an inhibitor of colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R), PLX5622, and mice infected with a neurotropic coronavirus (mouse hepatitis virus, strain JHMV), we show that depletion of microglia after clearance of virus infection resulted in impaired myelin repair and prolonged clinical disease. Microglia were required only during the early stages of remyelination. Notably, large deposits of extracellular vesiculated myelin and cellular debris were detected in the spinal cords of PLX5622-treated and not control mice, which correlated with decreased numbers of oligodendrocytes in demyelinating lesions in drug-treated mice. Further, gene expression analyses demonstrated differential expression of genes involved in myelin debris clearance, lipid and cholesterol recycling, and promotion of oligodendrocyte function. The results also demonstrate that microglial function could not be compensated by infiltrating macrophages. Together, these results demonstrate key roles for microglia in debris clearance and the initiation of remyelination following infection with a neurotropic coronavirus but are not necessary during later stages of remyelination.
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE144911 | GEO | 2020/02/07
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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