Microglia is myeloid-derived resident cells within the brain but their exact roles in health and disease are still poorly understood. The inability to reliably distinguish microglia from closely related myeloid cells called macrophages confounds many studies of microglial function. Therefore we screened for a new microglial specific gene that would allow the reliable identification, targeting, and characterization of microglia. In our preliminary studies, we identify TM119, a highly expressed transmembrane protein, as a highly expressed microglia-specific marker that is not expressed by macrophages or other peripheral immune cells. In this application, we will develop several new tools based on TM119 expression to selectively identify, isolate, and manipulate microglia. In the first aim, we will develop two antibodies against TM119 for the identification of microglia by immunostaining and isolation of pure microglia from whole brain tissue by immunopanning. In the second aim, we will develop two mouse lines, a TM119/Cre recombinase knock-in mouse and a TM119/CreERT2 BAC transgenic mouse. These mice will drive constitutive (knock-in) or inducible (BAC) Cre expression selectively within microglia. Crossing these mice with other mouse lines that express Cre- dependent genes will allow selective and specific manipulation of microglial genes. In the final aim, we will use the antibody and genetic tools developed in Aims 1 &2 to acutely purify microglia from adult, developing, or inflamed mouse tissues to generate gene profiles of pure microglia by gene array and RNAseq. These profiles and all tools developed will be made immediately available upon publication to interested researchers. The tools developed in the proposed studies will enable investigators to better understand the roles of microglia, which may prove critical for a better understanding of the pathophysiology and treatment of human neurological diseases.

Public Health Relevance

Microglia is myeloid-derived resident cells within the brain but their exact roles in health and disease are still poorly understood. We have recently identified a highly expressed gene called TMEM119 that is highly expressed specifically by microglia but not macrophages. In this application, we will exploit this discovery to develop new tools to selectively identify, isolate, and manipulate microglia. The tools will be made available to all researchers and will be helpful in elucidating the exact roles of microglia in CNS health and disease. !

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
1R21HD075359-01
Application #
8449876
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZHD1-DRG-D (55))
Program Officer
Henken, Deborah B
Project Start
2012-09-05
Project End
2014-08-31
Budget Start
2012-09-05
Budget End
2013-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$239,122
Indirect Cost
$89,122
Name
Stanford University
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
009214214
City
Stanford
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94305
Bennett, Mariko L; Bennett, F Chris; Liddelow, Shane A et al. (2016) New tools for studying microglia in the mouse and human CNS. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 113:E1738-46