Integration and functionality of human iPSC-derived microglia in a chimeric mouse retinal model.

Introduction: Microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system, play a pivotal role in maintaining homeostasis, responding to injury, and modulating neuroinflammation. However, the limitations of rodent models in accurately representing human microglia have posed significant challenges in the study of retinal diseases.

Methods: PLX5622 was used to eliminate endogenous microglia in mice through oral and intraperitoneal administration, followed by transplantation of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived microglia (hiPSC-microglia, iMG) into retinal explants to create a novel ex vivo chimeric model containing xenotransplanted microglia (xMG).