Chintan Chhatbar

Abstract Single-cell studies have revealed substantial microglial diversity in development, homeostasis and disease. However, a framework enabling comparison and stratification of microglial states across contexts is needed. Here we generated an atlas of myeloid cell states by single-cell RNA sequencing more than one million central nervous system cells from more than 30 physiological and pathological conditions.

In their recent publication in Cell, Sundaram, and colleagues identified a novel role for NOD-like receptor (NLR) family CARD domain containing 5 (NLRC5) in heme-mediated cell death and inflammation.1 This process is initiated by Toll-like receptors 2 and 4 on the cell surface, which induces intracellular NAD+ depletion and ROS production. The NLRs represent a large family of immune sensor proteins. Most of its members characterized so far were shown to induce pyroptosis.

eLife assessment This study elucidates the role of a specific hemocyte subpopulation in oxidative damage response by establishing connections between DNA damage response and the JNK-JAK/STAT axis to regulate energy metabolism. The identification of this distinct hemocyte subpopulation through single-cell RNA sequencing analysis and the finding of hemocytes that respond to oxidative stress are important.