Definition of a mouse microglial subset that regulates neuronal development and proinflammatory responses in the brain.

ABSTRACT: Expression of Itgax (encoding the CD11c surface protein) and Spp1 (encoding osteopontin; OPN) has been associated with activated microglia that can develop in healthy brains and some neuroinflammatory disorders. However, whether CD11c and OPN expression is a consequence of microglial activation or represents a portion of the genetic program expressed by a stable microglial subset is unknown. Here, we show that OPN production in the brain is confined to a small CD11c⁺ microglial subset that differentiates from CD11c^- precursors in perinatal life after uptake of apoptotic neurons. Our analysis suggests that coexpression of OPN and CD11c marks a microglial subset that is expressed at birth and persists into late adult life, independent of environmental acti

SUBMITTER: Shen X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8872761 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature