Emerging technologies to study glial cells

• Published in: Glia 2020-09, Vol.68 (9), p.1692-1728
• Main Authors: Hirbec, Hélène, Déglon, Nicole, Foo, Lynette C., Goshen, Inbal, Grutzendler, Jaime, Hangen, Emilie, Kreisel, Tirzah, Linck, Nathalie, Muffat, Julien, Regio, Sara, Rion, Sybille, Escartin, Carole
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Astrocytes; Biotechnology; Brain; Cognitive science; Glial cells; Glial stem cells; Life Sciences; Medical imaging; Microglia; Neuroimaging; Neuronal-glial interactions; Neuroscience; New technology; Oligodendrocytes; Pluripotency; Questions; Stem cells
• ISSN: 0894-1491; 1098-1136
• DOI: 10.1002/glia.23780

Development, physiological functions, and pathologies of the brain depend on tight interactions between neurons and different types of glial cells, such as astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocytes, and oligodendrocyte precursor cells. Assessing the relative contribution of different glial cell types is required for the full understanding of brain function and dysfunction. Over the recent years, several technological breakthroughs were achieved, allowing “glio‐scientists” to address new challenging biological questions. These technical developments make it possible to study the roles of specific cell types with medium or high‐content workflows and perform fine analysis of their mutual interactions in a preserved environment. This review illustrates the potency of several cutting‐edge experimental approaches (advanced cell cultures, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)‐derived human glial cells, viral vectors, in situ glia imaging, opto‐ and chemogenetic approaches, and high‐content molecular analysis) to unravel the role of glial cells in specific brain functions or diseases. It also illustrates the translation of some techniques to the clinics, to monitor glial cells in patients, through specific brain imaging methods. The advantages, pitfalls, and future developments are discussed for each technique, and selected examples are provided to illustrate how specific “gliobiological” questions can now be tackled. Many technologies are emerging to study glial cells, from molecules to behaviors. Glial cell complexity and plasticity require cell‐specific, high‐content, and sensitive methods to study them. Multiple techniques can be combined to provide refined insight into glial cell (patho)physiology.