Table 2.

Reference Genes, Glial Markers, Pro‐Inflammatory Microglial Markers, and Anti‐Inflammatory Microglial Markers Used For Gene Expression Studies

Gene name	Alias	Protein name	Brief description of function
Reference genes
GAPDH	Glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase	GAPDH	Catalyzes an energy‐yielding step in glycolysis
TBP	TATA‐box binding protein	TBP	Transcription factor
Glial marker genes
GFAP	Glial fibrillary astrocytic protein	GFAP	Intermediate cellular filament that can be used to identify astrocytes
MOG	Myelin oligodendrocyte protein	MOG	Component of the myelin sheath that encases neuronal axons; used to identify oligodendrocytes
Pro‐inflammatory microglial markers
CD68	Cluster of differentiation 68	CD68	Cell surface protein that clears cellular debris, and promotes phagocytosis
HLA‐DRA (HLA‐DR)	Major histocompatibility complex, class II, DR alpha chain	HLA‐DRA	Presents peptide antigens that are able to create an immune response
IL1β	Interleukin 1 beta	IL1β	Cytokine mediator in inflammatory responses and involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis
NOS2	Nitric oxide synthase 2	iNOS	Enzyme that generates nitric oxide (reactive free radical)
Anti‐inflammatory microglial markers
ARG1	Arginase 1	ARG1	Enzyme that converts arginine into compounds used for wound repair and downregulates nitric oxide
IGF1	Insulin‐like growth factor 1	IGF1	Ligand that stimulates proliferation of oligodendrocytes (supports myelination of neuronal axons)
IGF1R	Insulin‐like growth factor 1 receptor	IGF1R	Tyrosine kinase cell surface receptor that binds with IGF1
MRC1	Mannose receptor, C type 1	CD206	Receptor that binds and internalizes mannosylated ligands on potentially pathogenic microorganisms so they can be neutralized by phagocytic engulfment
PPARγ	Peroxisome proliferative activated receptor gamma	PPARγ	Receptor that inhibits pro‐inflammatory gene expression
VDR	Vitamin D Receptor	VDR	Receptor found on the nucleus that binds to calcitriol, the active form of Vitamin D