AUTHOR=Eme-Scolan Elisa , Dando Samantha J. 

TITLE=Tools and Approaches for Studying Microglia In vivo

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Immunology

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2020.583647

DOI=10.3389/fimmu.2020.583647

ISSN=1664-3224

ABSTRACT=<p>Microglia are specialized resident macrophages of the central nervous system (CNS) that have important functions during neurodevelopment, homeostasis and disease. This mini-review provides an overview of the current tools and approaches for studying microglia <italic>in vivo</italic>. We focus on tools for labeling microglia, highlighting the advantages and limitations of microglia markers/antibodies and reporter mice. We also discuss techniques for imaging microglia <italic>in situ</italic>, including <italic>in vivo</italic> live imaging of brain and retinal microglia. Finally, we review microglia depletion approaches and their use to investigate microglial function in CNS homeostasis and disease.</p>