Microglia play multiple roles in such processes as brain development, homeostasis, and pathology. Due to their diverse mechanisms of functions, the complex sub-classifications, and the large differences between different species, especially compared with humans, very different or even opposite conclusions can be drawn from studies with different research models. The choice of appropriate research models and the associated tools are thus key ingredients of studies on microglia. Mice are the most commonly used animal models. In this review, we summarize in vitro and in vivo models of mouse and human-derived microglial research models, including microglial cell lines, primary microglia, induced microglia-like cells, transgenic mice, human-mouse chimeric models, and microglial replacement models. We also summarize recent developments in novel single-cell and in vivo imaging technologies. We hope our review can serve as an efficient reference for the future study of microglia.

小胶质细胞在大脑发育、体内平衡和病理学等过程中发挥着多重作用。由于它们的作用机制多样，亚分类复杂，不同物种之间的差异很大，特别是与人类相比，不同研究模型的研究可以得出截然不同甚至相反的结论。因此，选择适当的研究模型和相关工具是小胶质细胞研究的关键要素。小鼠是最常用的动物模型。在这篇综述中，我们总结了体外和体内小鼠模型和人源小胶质细胞研究模型，包括小胶质细胞系、原代小胶质细胞、诱导小胶质细胞样细胞、转基因小鼠、人鼠嵌合模型和小胶质细胞替代模型。我们还总结了新型单细胞和体内成像技术的最新发展。我们希望我们的评论可以为未来的小胶质细胞研究提供有效的参考。