Context-dependent transcriptional regulation of microglial proliferation

Microglia proliferation occurs during brain development and brain lesions, but how this is coordinated at the transcriptional level is not well understood. Here, we investigated transcriptional mechanisms underlying proliferation of mouse microglia during postnatal development and in adults in models of induced microglial depletion-repopulation and brain demyelination. While each proliferative subset displayed globally a distinct signature of gene expression, they also co-expressed a subgroup of 1,370 genes at higher levels than quiescent microglia. Furthermore, expression of these may be coordinated by one of two modes of regulation. A first mode augments expression of genes already expressed in quiescent microglia and is subject to regulation by Klf/Sp, Nfy, and Ets transcription factors. Alternatively, a second mode enables de novo transcription of cell cycle genes and requires additional regulatory input from Lin54 and E2f factors. Overall, proliferating microglia integrate regulation of cell cycle gene expression with their broader, context-dependent, transcriptional landscape.