1250-Mapping Microglial Morphology in the Aging Brain

This research uses high-resolution spatial transcriptomics and imaging to investigate how the physical shape of microglia relates to their genetic activity in the aging brain. By mapping mRNA molecules within individual cells, the authors discovered that a cell’s morphology does not always match its transcriptomic state, challenging the traditional belief that specific shapes strictly define certain functions. The study identifies a unique set of process-enriched genes that can predict whether a cell is branched or amoeboid, highlighting how the location of genetic material influences cellular structure. Furthermore, the findings reveal that aging reduces this spatial organization, shifting microglial priorities from internal signaling and waste removal toward movement and metabolism. Ultimately, the work provides a new framework for understanding how subcellular transcript localization shapes the brain's immune response during the aging process.References:Henze D E, Tsai A P, Wyss-Coray T, et al. Simultaneous spatial transcriptomics and morphology profiling as tools to explore how microglia change with age[J]. Nature Aging, 2026: 1-17.前往小宇宙评论区与主播互动