Gene expression in microglia of WT and Trem2(-/-) mice upon treatment with cuprizone, Covi-Ox, or both. Mus musculus

Eight groups of mice of two genetic backgrounds (WT or Trem2(-/-)) were fed one of the four diets: 1) regular chow; 2) chow supplemented with Covi-ox T-70; 3) chow supplemented with cuprizone; 4) chow supplemented with both Covi-Ox and cuprizone After this, the differences in the brain of experimental animals were characterized with microscopy and microarray analysis of gene expression. Overall design: Mice were fed the diet ad libitum. Mice fed cuprizone and tocopherols were placed on the Covi-ox T70 with additional tocopherols diet for 2 weeks prior to feeding with Covi-ox T70 and cuprizone together for either 4 additional weeks or 7 weeks followed by 1 week of normal chow diet. Mice fed cuprizone only were maintained on normal chow for 2 weeks and then changed to cuprizone containing feed for 4 weeks or 7 weeks followed by 1 week of normal chow diet. After the mice were sacrificed, microglia were sorted, and gene expression was analyzed.