Repopulated spinal cord microglia exhibit a unique transcriptome and contribute to pain resolution.

ABSTRACT: Microglia are implicated as primarily detrimental in pain models; however, they exist across a continuum of states that contribute to homeostasis or pathology depending on timing and context. To clarify the specific contribution of microglia to pain progression, we take advantage of a temporally controlled transgenic approach to transiently deplete microglia. Unexpectedly, we observe complete resolution of pain coinciding with microglial repopulation rather than depletion. We find that repopulated mouse spinal cord microglia are morphologically distinct from control microglia and exhibit a unique transcriptome. Repopulated microglia from males and females express overlapping networks of genes related to phagocytosis and response to stress. We intersect the identified mouse genes with a sin

SUBMITTER: Donovan LJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10947777 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature