Microglia replacement by microglia transplantation (Mr MT) in the adult mouse brain

Summary Mutations in microglia may cause brain disorders. Replacement of dysfunctional microglia by allogeneic wild-type microglia from bone marrow transplantation (Mr BMT) or peripheral blood can correct the gene deficiency at the brain-wide scale but cannot achieve precise replacement at specific brain regions. Here, we introduce a strategy with potential clinical relevance—microglia replacement by microglia transplantation (Mr MT), combining tamoxifen-induced ablation of Mr BMT cells and intracranial injection of microglia to mouse brain, to achieve region-sepcific microglia replacement. The original abbreviation of this microglia replacement strategy is mrMT. We hereby change the name to Mr MT. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Xu et al. (2020).
Graphical abstract
Highlights • Protocol describes tamoxifen-induced ablation of the Mr BMT cells • Procedures for intracranial injection of microglia to mouse hippocampus • Mr MT achieves microglia replacement/transplantation at the brain region of interest • Mr MT cells exhibit the microglia-like characteristics
Mutations in microglia may cause brain disorders. Replacement of dysfunctional microglia by allogeneic wild-type microglia from bone marrow transplantation (Mr BMT) or peripheral blood can correct the gene deficiency at the brain-wide scale but cannot achieve precise replacement at specific brain regions. Here, we introduce a strategy with potential clinical relevance—microglia replacement by microglia transplantation (Mr MT), combining tamoxifen-induced ablation of Mr BMT cells and intracranial injection of microglia to mouse brain, to achieve region-sepcific microglia replacement. The original abbreviation of this microglia replacement strategy is mr MT. We hereby change the name to Mr MT.