What are microglia?

Microglia are specialized macrophages in the brain and spinal cord. They play various roles in brain development and aging but most commonly function as the innate immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS).

Due to the shared lineage of microglia and macrophages, many markers are common to both cell types.

TMEM119

TMEM119 is a cell-surface protein, which is a specific microglial marker in both mouse and human samples. This marker isn’t expressed by macrophages or any other immune or neural cell types, so it has a huge advantage over other microglial markers. Browse all TMEM119 antibodies.

Mouse brain tissue sections stained with anti-TMEM119 (green) (ab209064).

We recommend

Anti-TMEM119 antibody [28-3] - Microglial marker (ab209064)

Anti-TMEM119 antibody [106-6] - Microglial marker (ab210405)

Anti-TMEM119 antibody - C-terminal (ab185333)

Corresponding blocking peptide for ab185333: TMEM119 peptide (ab207307)

References

View 2 references for TMEM119

CD11b and CD45

A combination of CD11b and CD45 labeling can be used to distinguish microglia from macrophages. Resting microglia are CD11b^hi, CD45^low, whereas macrophages are CD11b^hi, CD45^hi.

Browse all CD11b antibodies

Browse all CD45 antibodies

Mouse tissue (Eo771 breast cancer) stained with anti-CD11b (green) (ab133357).

We recommend

Recombinant Anti-CD45 antibody [EPR20033] (ab208022)

References

View 4 references for CD11b and CD45

Iba1

Ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) is a microglial and macrophage-specific calcium-binding protein involved with membrane ruffling and phagocytosis in activated microglia.

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Mouse cerebral cortex tissue sections stained with anti-Iba1 (green) (ab178846).

We recommend

Recombinant Anti-Iba1 antibody [EPR16588] (ab178846)

References

View 5 references for Iba1

CX3CR1

CX3CR1 is the fractalkine receptor found on the surface of both microglia and macrophages in the CNS, where it responds to CX3CL1 (fractalkine) secreted by neurons.

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Browse all CX3CR1 proteins and peptides

Flow cytometric analysis of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells stained with anti-CX3CR1 (right) (ab245248) compared with a Rabbit monoclonal IgG (ab172730) isotype control (left).

We recommend

Recombinant Anti-CX3CR1 antibody [EPR22354-15] (ab245248)

References

View 3 references for CX3CR1

F4/80

F4/80 is a 160 KDa glycoprotein found on the surface of macrophages and resting microglia.

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Browse all F4/80 proteins and peptides

Mouse liver tissue sections stained with anti-F4/80 [SP115] (ab111101).

We recommend

Recombinant Anti-F4/80 antibody [SP115] (ab111101)

References

View 2 references for ​​F4/80

CD68

CD68 is a lysosomal protein expressed in high levels by macrophages and activated microglia and in low levels by resting microglia.

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Browse all CD68 proteins and peptides

Human cervical carcinoma tissue sections stained with anti-CD68 (ab213363).

We recommend

Recombinant Anti-CD68 antibody [EPR20545] (ab213363)

References

View 2 references for CD68

CD40

CD40 is a cell surface molecule necessary for antigen presentation and is expressed by activated microglia and macrophages.

Browse all CD40 antibodies

Browse all CD40 kits

Browse all CD40 proteins and peptides

Human diffuse large B-cell lymphoma tissue sections stained with anti-CD40 (ab224639).

We recommend

Recombinant Anti-CD40 antibody [EPR20735] (ab224639)

References

View 2 references for CD40

References

TMEM119

Bennett, M.,, Bennett, C.,, et al. New tools for studying microglia in the mouse and human CNS  PNAS  ,1738-1746 (2016)

Schwabenland, M.,, et al. Analyzing microglial phenotypes across neuropathologies: a practical guide  Acta Neuropathologica  , (2021)

CD11b and CD45

Becher, B., , Antel, J. P., Comparison of phenotypic and functional properties of immediately ex vivo and cultured human adult microglia  Glia  ,1-10 (1996)

Bennett, M.,, Bennett, C.,, et al. New tools for studying microglia in the mouse and human CNS  PNAS  ,1738-1746 (2016)

Ford, A. L.,, Goodsall, A. L.,, Hickey, W. F.,, Sedgwick, J. D. Normal adult ramified microglia separated from other central nervous system macrophages by flow cytometric sorting. Phenotypic differences defined and direct ex vivo antigen presentation to myelin basic protein-reactive CD4+ T cells compared. The Journal of Immunology  ,4309-4321 (1995)

Schwabenland, M.,, et al. Analyzing microglial phenotypes across neuropathologies: a practical guide  Acta Neuropathologica  , (2021)

Iba1

Bennett, M.,, Bennett, C.,, et al. New tools for studying microglia in the mouse and human CNS  PNAS  ,1738-1746 (2016)

Bhasin, M.,, Wu, M.,, Tsirka, S. E. Modulation of microglial/macrophage activation by macrophage inhibitory factor (TKP) or tuftsin (TKPR) attenuates the disease course of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis  BMC Immunology  , (2007)

Schwabenland, M.,, et al. Analyzing microglial phenotypes across neuropathologies: a practical guide  Acta Neuropathologica  , (2021)

Patel, A. R.,, Ritzel, R.,, McCullough, L. D.,, Liu, F. Microglia and ischemic stroke: a double-edged sword I nternational Journal of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Pharmacology  , (2013)

Ito, D.,, Tanaka, K.,, Suzuki, S.,, Dembo, T.,, Yasuo, F. Enhanced Expression of Iba1, Ionized Calcium-Binding Adapter Molecule 1, After Transient Focal Cerebral Ischemia In Rat Brain  Stroke  , (2001)

CX3CR1

Bennett, M.,, Bennett, C.,, et al. New tools for studying microglia in the mouse and human CNS  PNAS  ,1738-1746 (2016)

Patel, A. R.,, Ritzel, R.,, McCullough, L. D.,, Liu, F. Microglia and ischemic stroke: a double-edged sword  International Journal of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Pharmacology  , (2013)

Schwabenland, M.,, et al. Analyzing microglial phenotypes across neuropathologies: a practical guide  Acta Neuropathologica  , (2021)

​​F4/80

Bhasin, M.,, Wu, M.,, Tsirka, S. E. Modulation of microglial/macrophage activation by macrophage inhibitory factor (TKP) or tuftsin (TKPR) attenuates the disease course of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis  BMC Immunology  , (2007)

Patel, A. R.,, Ritzel, R.,, McCullough, L. D.,, Liu, F. Microglia and ischemic stroke: a double-edged sword  International Journal of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Pharmacology  , (2013)

CD68

Patel, A. R.,, Ritzel, R.,, McCullough, L. D.,, Liu, F. Microglia and ischemic stroke: a double-edged sword  International Journal of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Pharmacology  , (2013)

Schwabenland, M.,, et al. Analyzing microglial phenotypes across neuropathologies: a practical guide  Acta Neuropathologica  , (2021)

CD40

Patel, A. R.,, Ritzel, R.,, McCullough, L. D.,, Liu, F. Microglia and ischemic stroke: a double-edged sword  International Journal of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Pharmacology  , (2013)

Ponomarev, E. D.,, Shriver, L. P.,, Dittel, B. N. CD40 Expression by Microglial Cells Is Required for Their Completion of a Two-Step Activation Process during Central Nervous System Autoimmune Inflammation  The Journal of Immunology  ,1402-1410 (2006)