Description
We introduce an in vivo imaging approach that allows us to temporally and spatially resolve the evolution of iNOS and Arginase-positive phagocyte phenotypes in a murine MS model. We show that the polarization of individual phagocytes is established after CNS entry, is dependent on the CNS compartment and can be adapted as inflammatory lesions move from expansion to resolution. Our study thus provides a first real-time analysis of phagocyte specification in the intact CNS. Overall design: Cells were isolated from the Blood and CNS of Arginase-YFP X iNOS-Tomato-Cre mice at clinical onset of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis. CD11b_high, CD45_low microglia cells and CD45_positive, CD115_positive, Ly6c_high monocytes were FACS sorted respectively. Total RNA was extracted from the separated populations.