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Emerging technologies to study glial cells
Author(s) -
Hirbec Hélène,
Déglon Nicole,
Foo Lynette C.,
Goshen Inbal,
Grutzendler Jaime,
Hangen Emilie,
Kreisel Tirzah,
Linck Nathalie,
Muffat Julien,
Regio Sara,
Rion Sybille,
Escartin Carole
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
glia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.954
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1098-1136
pISSN - 0894-1491
DOI - 10.1002/glia.23780
Subject(s) - neuroscience , microglia , induced pluripotent stem cell , cell type , biology , astrocyte , oligodendrocyte , cell , computational biology , computer science , myelin , immunology , central nervous system , embryonic stem cell , inflammation , genetics , biochemistry , gene
Development, physiological functions, and pathologies of the brain depend on tight interactions between neurons and different types of glial cells, such as astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocytes, and oligodendrocyte precursor cells. Assessing the relative contribution of different glial cell types is required for the full understanding of brain function and dysfunction. Over the recent years, several technological breakthroughs were achieved, allowing “glio‐scientists” to address new challenging biological questions. These technical developments make it possible to study the roles of specific cell types with medium or high‐content workflows and perform fine analysis of their mutual interactions in a preserved environment. This review illustrates the potency of several cutting‐edge experimental approaches (advanced cell cultures, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)‐derived human glial cells, viral vectors, in situ glia imaging, opto‐ and chemogenetic approaches, and high‐content molecular analysis) to unravel the role of glial cells in specific brain functions or diseases. It also illustrates the translation of some techniques to the clinics, to monitor glial cells in patients, through specific brain imaging methods. The advantages, pitfalls, and future developments are discussed for each technique, and selected examples are provided to illustrate how specific “gliobiological” questions can now be tackled.