Here, we show that human microglia-like cells can be generated from iPSCs following a fully-defined and highly efficient protocol, which enables high purity (>97%) and robust scalability. Importantly, iMGLs are highly similar to cultured human adult and fetal microglia by both transcriptomic and functional analyses. Our whole-transcriptome PCA also highlights the differentiation trajectory of iPSCs toward iHPCs, and then iMGLs. Moreover, our series of microglial functional assays, only possible with a high yield and pure protocol, further strengthens how iMGLs can be used to investigate microglia genes implicated in disease and understand physiological function both in vitro and in vivo.
