Project description:We developed an experimental model system in mice, in which microglia can be depleted selectively and temporarily from the prefrontal cortex (PFC) during a defined window of adolescence (6 weeks of age). This was achieved using a single, bilateral stereotaxic intra-PFC injection of clodronate disodium salt (CDS), which induces selective apoptosis of microglia. To ascertain the cellular selectivity of intra-PFC administration of CDS, we conducted next-generation RNA sequencing (RNAseq) of bulk medial PFC tissue from CDS- or phosphate buffered saline (PBS)-injected mice. PFC samples were extracted either during the peak of microglia depletion, that is, 5 days post injection (5 dpi) or in adulthood (12 weeks of age) after full microglia repopulation.
Project description:Purpose: Alcohol abuse induces changes in microglia morphology and immune function, but whether microglia initiate or simply amplify the harmful effects of alcohol exposure is still a matter of debate. Here we determined microglia function in acute and voluntary drinking behaviors using a colony stimulating factor 1 receptor inhibitor (PLX5622) and 3’UTR biased-sequencing. Therefore, The purpose of this study was to provide insight regarding microglia depletion and voluntary alcohol consumption. Methods: We performed 3’UTR biased transcriptome sequencing (3’Tag-seq) on total homogenate isolated from the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of C57BL6/J mice following microglia depletion and chronic every-other-day alcohol consumption. Results: Differential expression analysis and WGCNA network analysis revealed that although many immune genes have been implicated in alcohol abuse, downregulation of microglia genes does not necessitate changes in alcohol intake. Finally, we show that microglia depletion and chronic alcohol result in compensatory upregulation of ethanol-responsive, reactive astrocyte genes, indicating astrocytes may play a critical role in regulation of these alcohol behaviors. Conclusion:Taken together our behavioral and transcriptional data indicate that microglia are not the primary effector cell responsible for regulation of acute and voluntary alcohol behaviors. In addition, our data represents a novel resource for groups interested in transcriptional effects of microglia depletion after alcohol consumption.
Project description:To elucidate differential gene expression pattern in atopic diathesis model mice spinal cord microglia compared to normal mice. Sort microglia from atopic diathesis model mice and control mice, extract RNA and subjected to RNA array assay.
Project description:Purpose: Alcohol dependence results in microglia proliferation in brain and changes in microglia morphology and function. However, it remains unknown if microglia initiate or simply amplify the neuroadaptations that lead to alcohol dependence. Here we determined microglia function in chronic intermittent ethanol exposure behaviors using a colony stimulating factor 1 receptor inhibitor (PLX5622) and 3’UTR biased-sequencing. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to provide insight into how microglia may regulate neuroadaptations due to alcohol dependence. Methods: We performed 3’UTR biased transcriptome sequencing (3’Tag-seq) on total homogenate isolated from the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) of C57BL6/J mice following microglia depletion and chronic intermittent ethanol exposure. Results: Differential expression analysis and WGCNA network analysis revealed that microglia depletion prevents both immune and synaptic gene expression changes that are linked with the formation of alcohol dependence. This suggested that microglia are key regulators of the transition from alcohol misuse to alcohol dependence. Conclusion: Taken together our behavioral and transcriptional data indicate that microglia are the primary effector cell responsible for regulation of alcohol dependence. In addition, our data represents a novel resource for groups interested in transcriptional effects of microglia depletion after alcohol dependence.
Project description:Previous studies have reported that microglia depletion leads to impairment of synapse formation and these cells rapidly repopulate from CNS progenitors. However, the impact of microglia depletion and repopulation on the long-term state of the CNS environment has not been characterized. Here, we found by RNA-seq analysis that acute and synchronous microglia depletion results in a type 1-interferon inflammatory signature in degenerating somatosensory cortex in microglia-depleted mice. Transcriptomic and mass cytometry analysis of repopulated microglia demonstrates an interferon regulatory factor 7-driven activation state. Minocycline and anti-IFNAR1 antibody treatment attenuate the CNS type-1 interferon-driven inflammation and restore microglia homeostasis. Together, we found that acute microglia ablation induces a type-1 interferon activation state of grey matter microglia associated with acute neurodegeneration.
Project description:Expression profiling of distinct central nervous system (CNS) cell populations has been employed to facilitate disease classification and to provide insights into the molecular basis of brain pathology. One important cell type implicated in a wide variety of CNS disease states is the resident brain macrophage (microglia). In these studies, microglia are often isolated from dissociated brain tissue by flow sorting procedures [fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS)] or from postnatal glial cultures by mechanic isolation. Given the highly dynamic and state-dependent functions of these cells, the use of FACS or short-term culture methods may not accurately capture the biology of brain microglia. In the current study, we performed RNA-sequencing using Cx3cr1+/GFP labeled microglia isolated from the brainstem of 6-week-old mice to compare the transcriptomes of FACS-sorted versus laser capture microdissection (LCM). While both isolation techniques resulted in a large number of shared (common) transcripts, we identified transcripts unique to FACS-isolated and LCM-captured microglia. In particular, M-bM-^HM-<50% of these LCM-isolated microglial transcripts represented genes typically associated with neurons and glia. While these transcripts clearly localized to microglia using complementary methods, they were not translated into protein. Following the induction of murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, increased oligodendrocyte and neuronal transcripts were detected in microglia, while only the myelin basic protein oligodendrocyte transcript was increased in microglia after traumatic brain injury. Collectively, these findings have implications for the design and interpretation of microglia transcriptome-based investigations. Wildtype and GFP expressing microglia from mouse brainstems were flow sorted or captured by laser microdissection. Differences between the two isolation methods were verified and further examined in neurodegenerative disease models.