Transcriptomic analysis of purified human cortical microglia reveals age-associated changes

Author(s):Show less -

Galatro, Thais F. ; Holtman, Inge R. ; Lerario, Antonio M. ; Vainchtein, Ilia D. ; Brouwer, Nieske ; Sola, Paula R. ; Veras, Mariana M. ; Pereira, Tulio F. ; Leite, Renata E. P. ; Moller, Thomas ; Wes, Paul D. ; Sogayar, Mari C. ; Laman, Jon D. ; den Dunnen, Wilfred ; Pasqualucci, Carlos A. ; Oba-Shinjo, Sueli M. ; Boddeke, Erik W. G. M. ; Marie, Suely K. N. ; Eggen, Bart J. L.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: NATURE NEUROSCIENCE; v. 20, n. 8, p. 1162+, AUG 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 127

Abstract

Microglia are essential for CNS homeostasis and innate neuroimmune function, and play important roles in neurodegeneration and brain aging. Here we present gene expression profiles of purified microglia isolated at autopsy from the parietal cortex of 39 human subjects with intact cognition. Overall, genes expressed by human microglia were similar to those in mouse, including established microglial genes CX3CR1, P2RY12 and ITGAM (CD11B). However, a number of immune genes, not identified as part of the mouse microglial signature, were abundantly expressed in human microglia, including TLR, F-c gamma and SIGLEC receptors, as well as TAL1 and IFI16, regulators of proliferation and cell cycle. Age-associated changes in human microglia were enriched for genes involved in cell adhesion, axonal guidance, cell surface receptor expression and actin (dis)assembly. Limited overlap was observed in microglial genes regulated during aging between mice and humans, indicating that human and mouse microglia age differently. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/02162-8 - Molecular pathogenesis and characterization of monogenic developmental diseases: a route to translational medicine
• Grantee: Berenice Bilharinho de Mendonça
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/06315-3 - The role of microglia activation in human astrocytoma
• Grantee: Suely Kazue Nagahashi Marie
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/07704-3 - The role of microglia activation in human astrocytoma
• Grantee: Thais Fernanda de Almeida Galatro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate