Abstract
Colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) inhibition has been proposed to specifically deplete microglia without affecting peripheral immune cells. Here, we show that CSF1R inhibition by PLX5622 causes changes in the myeloid and lymphoid compartments and long-term functional impairment of bone marrow-derived macrophages by suppressing their IL-1β expression, phagocytosis, and M1, but not M2 phenotype. Thus, CSF1R inhibition with small molecule inhibitors is not restricted to microglia only, but rather causes strong effects on peripheral macrophages that perdure long after cessation of the treatment. These changes may have significant implications on the interpretation of relevant experimental data.
Footnotes
Conflict of Interest: The authors have declared that no conflict of interest exists.
To improve flow