Retinal microglia express more MHC class I and promote greater T-cell-driven inflammation than brain microglia

Abstract

Our data demonstrate that the microenvironment of retina and brain differs, resulting in microglia-specific gene expression changes. Specifically, retinal microglia express greater MHC class I by scRNA-seq and multi-parameter flow cytometry, resulting in a possibly enhanced capability to stimulate CD8⁺ T-cell inflammation during LCMV infection. These results may explain tissue-specific differences between retina and brain during systemic viral infections and CD8⁺ T-cell driven autoimmune disease.