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

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. 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.