[en] Microglia are specialized parenchymal‐resident phagocytes of the central nervous system (CNS) that actively support, defend and modulate the neural environment. Dysfunctional microglial responses are thought to worsen CNS diseases; nevertheless, their impact during neuroinflammatory processes remains largely obscure. Here, using a combination of single‐cell RNA sequencing and multicolour flow cytometry, we comprehensively profile microglia in the brain of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐injected mice. By excluding the contribution of other immune CNS‐resident and peripheral cells, we show that microglia isolated from LPS‐injected mice display a global downregulation of their homeostatic signature together with an upregulation of inflammatory genes. Notably, we identify distinct microglial activated profiles under inflammatory conditions, which greatly differ from neurodegenerative disease‐associated profiles. These results provide insights into microglial heterogeneity and establish a resource for the identification of specific phenotypes in CNS disorders, such as neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases.
Disciplines :
Life sciences: Multidisciplinary, general & others
Author, co-author :
SOUSA, Carole ; University of Luxembourg > Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB)
Golebiewska, Anna; Luxembourg Institute of Health - LIH
Poovathingal, Suresh K; Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie-KU Leuven
Kaoma, Tony; Luxembourg Institute of Health - LIH
Pires-Afonso, Yolanda; University of Luxembourg
Martina, Silvia; University of Luxembourg > Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB)
COOWAR, Djalil ; University of Luxembourg > Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB)
Azuaje, Francisco; Luxembourg Institute of Health - LIH
SKUPIN, Alexander ; University of Luxembourg > Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB)
BALLING, Rudi ; University of Luxembourg > Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB)
Biber, Knut; University of Freiburg ; University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen
NICLOU, Simone ; Luxembourg Institute of Health - LIH ; University of Bergen
MICHELUCCI, Alessandro ; University of Luxembourg > Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB)