Variation on a theme: mapping microglial heterogeneity

Trends Genet. 2021 Dec;37(12):1050-1052. doi: 10.1016/j.tig.2021.09.004. Epub 2021 Sep 22.

Abstract

Young et al. examine the complexity of primary human microglia, and identify previously unknown cell states. Using expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) mapping techniques, they identify 129 genes whose expression in microglia is linked to disease, and show that induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models can be used for functional validation of common genetic mutations in microglia-associated diseases.

Keywords: genetics; microglia; modelling; single-cell RNA sequencing; stem cell; transcriptomics.

MeSH terms

  • Chromosome Mapping
  • Humans
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells*
  • Microglia* / metabolism
  • Quantitative Trait Loci / genetics