摘要：

In the central nervous system (CNS), microglia are innate immune mononuclear phagocytes (CNS MPs) that can phagocytose infectious particles, apoptotic cells, neurons, and pathological protein aggregates, such as A in Alzheimer's disease (AD). While CD11b + CD45 low microglia account for the majority of CNS MPs, a small population of CD11b + CD45 high CNS MPs is also recognized in AD that surround A plaques. These transcriptionally and pathologically unique CD45 high cells have unclear origin and undefined phagocytic characteristics. We have comprehensively validated rapid flow cytometric assays of bulk-phase and amyloid fibril (fA) phagocytosis and applied these to study acutely isolated CNS MPs. Using these methods, we provide novel insights into differential abilities of CD11b + CD45 low and CD45 high CNS MPs to phagocytose macroparticles and fA under normal, acute, and chronic neuroinflammatory states. CD45 high CNS MPs also highly upregulate TREM2, CD11c, and several disease-associated microglia signature genes and have a higher phagocytic capacity for A as compared to CD45 low microglia in the 5xFAD mouse model of AD that becomes more apparent with aging. Our data suggest an overall pro-phagocytic and protective role for CD11b + CD45 high CNS MPs in neurodegeneration, which if promoted, could be beneficial.

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