Transcriptome analysis of purified microglial cells from striatum and midbrain

Microglia constitutes a diverse population of cells that present a broad spectrum of responses when they become activated. Here, microglial status was studied under steady-state conditions from different brain regions involved in neurodegenerative diseases. Under basal conditions, midbrain microglia showed an immune-alert state not observed in striatum. Unique subpopulations of microglia expressing TLR4 and MHC-II with antigen presenting properties, and a higher proportion of infiltrating CD4+ T cells were identified in the midbrain. These results highlight that the inflammatory tone is context-dependent and reveal the unique properties of the midbrain related to the interaction with the immune system. Analysis of two cohorts of control animals