Diverse Requirements for Microglial Survival, Specification, and Function Revealed by Defined-Medium Cultures.

ABSTRACT: Microglia, the resident macrophages of the CNS, engage in various CNS-specific functions that are critical for development and health. To better study microglia and the properties that distinguish them from other tissue macrophage populations, we have optimized serum-free culture conditions to permit robust survival of highly ramified adult microglia under defined-medium conditions. We find that astrocyte-derived factors prevent microglial death ex vivo and that this activity results from three primary components, CSF-1/IL-34, TGF-β2, and cholesterol. Using microglial cultures that have never been exposed to serum, we demonstrate a dramatic and lasting change in phagocytic capacity after serum exposure. Finally, we find that mature microglia rapidly lose signature gene expression after iso

SUBMITTER: Bohlen CJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5523817 | biostudies-literature | 2017 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature