Investigation of microglial diversity in a LRRK2 G2019S mouse model of Parkinson's disease

Microglia contribute to the outcomes of various pathological conditions including Parkinson's disease (PD). Microglia are heterogenous, with a variety of states recently identified in aging and neurodegenerative disease models. Here, we delved into the diversity of microglia in a preclinical PD model featuring the G2019S mutation in LRRK2, a known pathological mutation associated with PD. Specifically, we investigated the ‘dark microglia’ (DM) and the ‘disease-associated microglia’ (DAM) which present a selective enrichment of CLEC7A expression. In the dorsal striatum - a region affected by PD pathology - extensive ultrastructural features of cellular stress as well as reduced direct cellular contacts, were observed for microglia from old LRRK2 G2019S mice versus controls. In addition, DM were more prevalent while CLEC7A-positive microglia had extensive phagocytic ultrastructural characteristics in the LRRK2 G2019S mice. Furthermore, our findings revealed a higher proportion of DM in LRRK2 G2019S mice, and an increased number of CLEC7A-positive cells with age, exacerbated by the pathological mutation. These CLEC7A-positive cells exhibited a selective enrichment of ameboid morphology and tended to cluster in the affected animals. In summary, we provide novel insights into the occurrence and features of recently defined microglial states, CLEC7A-positive cells and DM, in the context of LRRK2 G2019S PD pathology.