Evaluating microglial phenotypes using single-cell technologies. Issue 2 (February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sankowski, Roman; Monaco, Gianni; Prinz, Marco
• Is Part Of: Trends in neurosciences. Volume 45:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: 133
• Page End: 144
• Publication Date: 2022-02
• Subjects: CNS Central nervous system -- UMAP Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection -- DEG Differentially expressed genes -- MHC Major histocompatibility complex -- FACS Fluorescence activated cell sorting -- scRNA-Seq Single-cell RNA sequencing -- snRNA-Seq Single-nucleus RNA sequencing -- MS Mass spectrometry -- smFISH Single-molecule fluorescence insitu hybridization -- ISS in situ sequencing -- ST Spatial transcriptomics -- RIN RNA integrity number -- FFPE Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded; single-cell sequencing -- microglia -- immunity -- spatial context -- multiomics; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurophysiology -- Periodicals; Neurobiology -- Periodicals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2021.11.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0166-2236

Abstract

Abstract : Recent single-cell technologies have enabled researchers to simultaneously assess the transcriptomes and other modalities of thousands of cells within their spatial context. Here, we have summarized available single-cell methods for dissociated tissues and tissue slides with respect to the specifics of microglial biology. We have focused on next-generation-based technologies. We review the potential of these single-cell sequencing methods and newer multiomics approaches to extend the understanding of microglia function beyond the status quo. Highlights: The fields of single-cell transcriptomics and proteomics have rapidly developed in recent years and many high-dimensional microglial datasets were generated from humans and other species. Here, we summarize the basic analytical concepts of single-cell sequencing and review the notion of cell states and cell types with respect to microglia. We put in perspective aspects of microglia biology to discuss the potential and the technical limitations of single-cell technologies for the study of microglia. We discuss established approaches on dissociated tissues and newer ones on tissue slides. Finally, we discuss the potential of single-cell multiomics approaches to elucidate microglia biology at the systems level through simultaneous recording of different molecular modalities.