Mutation in the rat interleukin 34 gene impacts macrophage development, homeostasis, and inflammation.

ABSTRACT: Interleukin 34 (IL34) and colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF1) signal through a shared receptor (CSF1R) to control macrophage survival, differentiation, and function. Here, we describe the impact of loss-of-function mutation in the rat Il34 gene. In contrast to IL34 mutant mice, macrophages within squamous epithelia (Langerhans cells) were not significantly depleted in Il34 ^-/- rats. In the brain, microglia and brain-associated macrophages were selectively depleted in grey matter. A gradient of microglial density in the Il34 ^-/- cortex suggests that CSF1 can diffuse outwards from the corpus callosum. Microglial loss was not associated with detectable neuropathology or altered gene expression in the cortex, hippocampus, and thalamus aside from select

SUBMITTER: Huang S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12177736 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature