New tools for studying microglia in the mouse and human CNS

The specific function of microglia, the tissue resident macrophages of the brain and spinal cord, has been difficult to ascertain because of a lack of tools to distinguish microglia from other immune cells, thereby limiting specific immunostaining, purification, and manipulation. Because of their unique developmental origins and predicted functions, the distinction of microglia from other myeloid cells is critically important for understanding brain development and disease; better tools would greatly facilitate studies of microglia function in the developing, adult, and injured CNS. Here, we identify transmembrane protein 119 (Tmem119), a cell-surface protein of unknown function, as a highly expressed…

• DM
  Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Medical Research Foundation
• MR
  Myelin Repair Foundation
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Awards: S10RR025518, NS069375, S10RR025518-01
• CI
  Canadian Institutes of Health Research
• MR
  Medical Research Council
• NH
  National Health and Medical Research Council

  Award: GNT1052961
• NI
  National Institute of Mental Health

  Award: 5T32MH019938-22
• NC
  National Cancer Institute

  Award: F32HL115973-02
• NI
  National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

  Awards: 5K08NS075144-05, R47DA15043
• NI
  National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

  Awards: F31NS078813, R21HD075359