Immunological Markers for Central Nervous System Glia

Glial cells in the central nervous system (CNS) are composed of oligodendrocytes, astrocytes and microglia. They contribute more than half of the total cells of the CNS, and are essential for neural development and functioning. Studies on the fate specification, differentiation, and functional diversification of glial cells mainly rely on the proper use of cell- or stage-specific molecular markers. However, as cellular markers often exhibit different specificity and sensitivity, careful consideration must be given prior to their application to avoid possible confusion. Here, we provide an updated overview of a list of well-established immunological markers for the labeling of central glia, and discuss the cell-type specificity and stage dependency of their expression.

Automated summary

Glial cells in the CNS, including oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, and microglia, are vital for neural development and functioning. Proper use of cell- or stage-specific molecular markers is crucial for studying their fate specification, differentiation, and functional diversification. This article provides an updated overview of immunological markers for labeling central glia and discusses their cell-type specificity and stage dependency.