Protocol to sequentially isolate mouse oligodendrocytes, microglia, endothelial cells, astrocytes, and neurons via magnetic cell sorting

Isolation of specific brain cell types is essential to study cell-type-specific differences in complex neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Here, we present a protocol for isolating oligodendrocytes, microglia, endothelial cells, astrocytes, and neurons from a single mouse brain. We describe steps for tissue homogenization, debris removal, and sequential sorting. We then detail procedures for validating cell purity and viability using flow cytometry and quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (RT-qPCR). This protocol is well suited for a range of downstream applications, including genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics.

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Publication Details

Journal
STAR Protocols
Published
2025-10-11
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xpro.2025.104139
Citations
2
Primary Topic
MicroRNA in disease regulation
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.87
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article

Protocol to sequentially isolate mouse oligodendrocytes, microglia, endothelial cells, astrocytes, and neurons via magnetic cell sorting

Kevin D. Pham, Willard M. Freeman, Heather C. Rice, Sarah R. Ocañas et al.
2 citations
STAR Protocols
MicroRNA in disease regulation
1.87
article

Protocol to sequentially isolate mouse oligodendrocytes, microglia, endothelial cells, astrocytes, and neurons via magnetic cell sorting

Kevin D. Pham, Willard M. Freeman, Heather C. Rice, Sarah R. Ocañas, Dominika Siodłak, Samah Houmam, Casandra Salinas-Salinas
article en
2 citations

Abstract

Isolation of specific brain cell types is essential to study cell-type-specific differences in complex neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Here, we present a protocol for isolating oligodendrocytes, microglia, endothelial cells, astrocytes, and neurons from a single mouse brain. We describe steps for tissue homogenization, debris removal, and sequential sorting. We then detail procedures for validating cell purity and viability using flow cytometry and quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (RT-qPCR). This protocol is well suited for a range of downstream applications, including genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics.

STAR ProtocolsVol. 6(4)
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (US), University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 12%
MicroRNA in disease regulation
1.87
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