scRNA-Seq of Retinal microglia from 6 months old Balb/c mice infected with MCMV at birth

We used a single cell sequencing approach using 10x Genomics scRNAseq to understand the transcriptional differences between microglia from MCMV infected animals vs controls. MCMV infection at birth resulted in increased retinal degeneration with age. Microglia from mice infected with MCMV appeared to have an alternative activation state compared to age matched uninfected controls. We utilized a depletion and repopulation strategy to reset the population of microlgia using PLX5622, a CSFR1 inhibitor. This study allowed analysis of the transcriptional changes caused by MCMV infection early in life potentially contributing to neurodegeneration. Overall design: Balb/c mice were infected with MCMV or injected with PBS (controls) less than 24hrs after birth. PLX5622 (a CSF1R inhibitor) was adminstered 2 months after infection for 7 days to deplete microglia. Microglia repopulated 21 days (3 months of age) and were aged to 6 months. Whole eyes were collected at 6 months from 5 Control (uninfected untreated), Infeted (MCMV infected untreated) and PLX (MCMV infected treated). Retina and RPE/choroid were isolated and Microglia were seperated by FACs. Pooled microglia from 5 Retina and RPE/Choroid from 5 mice per group were analyized by sc- RNA seq.