In humans, we found expression of the glutamate transporter 1 (EAAT1) to be somehow helpful in distinguishing (activated) microglia from infiltrating blood-derived monocytes:
- resting/surveyling microglia are negative, activated (amoeboid) microglia do express EAAT1.
- foamy macrophages and perivascular monocytes lack EAAT1.
However, especially in a perivascular localization, EAAT1 does not help to distinguish the source of (foamy) macrophages as all foamy macrophages were EAAT1-negativ (following ischaemia or trauma). Thus, microglia seems to loos EAAT1 expression during activation/differentiation to foamy macrophages. Furthermore, EAAT1 is also expressed by activated astrocytes. This definitly limits the value of EAAT1 in this context but I am not aware of a better marker to adress your question.
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