Microglial dysfunction has been implicated in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), but limited access to human brain tissue posed challenges in related research. A new study explored how immune cells called monocyte-derived macrophages can serve as models for microglia in ASD. Researchers used these cells to investigate neuroimmune responses, such as synaptic phagocytosis in ASD. These findings could open new avenues for understanding the brain-immune system connection in ASD and identifying potential targets for therapy.

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) can differentiate into any blood cell. However, as HSCs age, they are more likely to differentiate into platelets and myeloid cells. This age-dependent shift is poorly understood due to a lack of marker genes. Now, scientists from the University of Tokyo present the Clusterin (Clu) gene as a novel biomarker of HSC aging. This allows easy identification of aged HSCs, shedding light on the biological mechanisms of aging.