Inflammatory processes and microglia activation accompany most of the pathophysiological diseases in the central nervous system. It is proven that glial pathology precedes and even drives the development of multiple neurodegenerative conditions. A growing number of studies point out the importance of microglia in brain development as well as in physiological functioning. These resident brain immune cells are divergent from the peripherally infiltrated macrophages, but their precise in situ discrimination is surprisingly difficult. Microglial heterogeneity in the brain is especially visible in their morphology and cell density in particular brain structures but also in the expression of cellular markers. This often determines their role in physiology or pathology of brain functioning. The species differences between rodent and human markers add complexity to the whole picture. Furthermore, due to activation, microglia show a broad spectrum of phenotypes ranging from the pro-inflammatory, potentially cytotoxic M1 to the anti-inflammatory, scavenging, and regenerative M2. A precise distinction of specific phenotypes is nowadays essential to study microglial functions and tissue state in such a quickly changing environment. Due to the overwhelming amount of data on multiple sets of markers that is available for such studies, the choice of appropriate markers is a scientific challenge. This review gathers, classifies, and describes known and recently discovered protein markers expressed by microglial cells in their different phenotypes. The presented microglia markers include qualitative and semi-quantitative, general and specific, surface and intracellular proteins, as well as secreted molecules. The information provided here creates a comprehensive and practical guide through the current knowledge and will facilitate the choosing of proper, more specific markers for detailed studies on microglia and neuroinflammatory mechanisms in various physiological as well as pathological conditions. Both basic research and clinical medicine need clearly described and validated molecular markers of microglia phenotype, which are essential in diagnostics, treatment, and prevention of diseases engaging glia activation.

炎症过程和小胶质细胞活化伴随着中枢神经系统的大多数病理生理疾病。事实证明，神经胶质病理先于甚至推动了多种神经退行性疾病的发展。越来越多的研究指出小胶质细胞在大脑发育以及生理功能中的重要性。这些常驻的大脑免疫细胞与周围浸润的巨噬细胞不同，但它们精确原位歧视异常困难。大脑中的小胶质异质性在其形态和细胞密度（在特定的大脑结构中）以及细胞标记物的表达中尤其明显。这通常决定了它们在脑功能的生理学或病理学中的作用。啮齿动物和人类标记物之间的物种差异增加了整个图片的复杂性。此外，由于激活，小胶质细胞显示了广泛的表型，从促炎性，潜在的细胞毒性M1到抗炎性，清除和再生M2。如今，在如此快速变化的环境中研究小胶质细胞功能和组织状态对特定表型的精确区分是必不可少的。由于可用于此类研究的多组标记的大量数据，选择合适的标记是一个科学挑战。这篇综述收集，分类和描述了小胶质细胞以不同表型表达的已知和最近发现的蛋白质标记。提出的小胶质细胞标记物包括定性和半定量，一般和特异性，表面和细胞内蛋白质，以及分泌的分子。此处提供的信息通过当前知识创建了全面而实用的指南，并将有助于选择适当的，更具体的标记物，以详细研究各种生理和病理状况下的小胶质细胞和神经炎症机制。基础研究和临床医学都需要清楚地描述和验证小胶质细胞表型的分子标记，这对于诊断，治疗，