Background information
Microglia, often called brain macrophages, are the resident immune effector cells in the central nervous system (CNS). In addition, activated microglia serve as the major antigen-presenting cells in the CNS. They are morphologically, immunophenotypically, and functionally related to cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage.
This detailed protocol using CD11b (Microglia) MicroBeads allows the fast isolation of primary microglia within 1 hour. The use of the MACS Neural Tissue Dissociation Kit (P) prior to the purification leads to highest yield and viability.
For the isolation of microglia from myelin-containing tissue samples (human tissue or adult mouse or rat), the use of Myelin Removal Beads II is highly recommended.