# Origins, properties, and therapeutic potential of cells that repopulate the microglia-depleted adult brain

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE · 2024 · $715,019

## Abstract

Abstract:
Our research focuses on microglia, a type of brain cell crucial to understanding and treating several central
nervous system diseases. In our first funding cycle (2014-2019), we developed a technique to remove and
replace microglia using a drug that targets a specific receptor (CSF1R), which has since become a standard
method in neuroscience. This approach has significantly advanced our understanding of microglia and has
shown therapeutic potential in various disease and injury models. In our second funding cycle (2019-2024), we
further explored microglia replacement and discovered several key findings, including a new method of
reprogramming microglia and a novel route for bone marrow-derived cells to enter the brain allowing us to fully
replace the microglial tissue with bone-marrow derived monocytes/myeloid cells. Building on these findings, we
propose three specific aims for our next research phase. First, we will investigate a new method of microglia
recovery that avoids the need for complete microglia removal. This involves temporarily inhibiting CSF1R,
leading to the reprogramming and proliferation of microglia and other brain cells. Second, we will explore the
potential of replacing dysfunctional microglia with functional bone marrow-derived cells as a treatment for
genetic disorders associated with microglia dysfunction. Lastly, we will study the role of peripheral myeloid
cells entering the brain in the development of Alzheimer's disease. Our research aims to deepen our
understanding of microglia biology and explore its therapeutic potential, moving towards more clinically
relevant applications.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11048688
- **Project number:** 2R01NS083801-11A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Kim Green
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $715,019
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2014-02-15 → 2029-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11048688

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11048688, Origins, properties, and therapeutic potential of cells that repopulate the microglia-depleted adult brain (2R01NS083801-11A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11048688. Licensed CC0.

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