Mechanistic description
Molecular Mechanism and Rationale
The TREM2-astrocyte communication network represents a sophisticated intercellular signaling system that fundamentally governs microglial homeostasis and neuroinflammatory responses. TREM2 (Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells 2) functions as a pattern recognition receptor exclusively expressed on microglia within the central nervous system, where it associates with the adaptor protein DAP12 to initiate downstream signaling cascades. Upon ligand binding, TREM2 undergoes conformational changes that facilitate DAP12 phosphorylation by Src family kinases, particularly Lyn and Fyn. This phosphorylation creates docking sites for spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk), which subsequently activates phospholipase C-γ (PLCγ) and triggers calcium mobilization alongside activation of protein kinase C (PKC) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways.
Under physiological conditions, activated TREM2 signaling promotes microglial survival, phagocytosis, and anti-inflammatory cytokine production through transcriptional activation of genes regulated by CREB and NFATc1. These TREM2-competent microglia release a specific cocktail of anti-inflammatory mediators including interleukin-10 (IL-10), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). This secretome acts upon nearby astrocytes through distinct receptor-mediated mechanisms: IL-10 binds to the IL-10 receptor complex (IL-10R1/IL-10R2), activating JAK1/STAT3 signaling and promoting expression of neuroprotective genes including thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) and apolipoprotein E (APOE). Simultaneously, TGF-β engages TGF-β receptors I and II on astrocytes, triggering SMAD2/3 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation, which drives transcription of complement inhibitors and cholesterol synthesis enzymes.
This creates a critical positive feedback loop wherein neuroprotective A2 astrocytes reciprocally support TREM2 signaling by secreting endogenous TREM2 ligands. TSP-1 directly binds to the immunoglobulin-like domain of TREM2, while astrocyte-derived cholesterol-rich lipoproteins containing APOE serve as additional ligands that stabilize TREM2 surface expression and enhance signaling capacity. Furthermore, A2 astrocytes produce complement inhibitors such as clusterin and complement factor H, which prevent inappropriate complement activation that could otherwise interfere with TREM2 function.
The pathological transformation of this network occurs through multiple convergent mechanisms. Age-related accumulation of complement component C1q, released from activated microglia and infiltrating immune cells, binds to astrocytic complement receptors and drives polarization toward the neurotoxic A1 phenotype through classical complement pathway activation. Concurrently, increased TNF-α signaling through TNFR1 on astrocytes activates NF-κB and AP-1 transcription factors, promoting expression of inflammatory genes while simultaneously suppressing neuroprotective programs. These A1 astrocytes begin secreting saturated fatty acids, particularly palmitic and stearic acid, which competitively inhibit TREM2 ligand binding and promote receptor internalization and degradation. Additionally, A1 astrocytes upregulate matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and ADAM (A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase) family proteases, particularly ADAM10 and ADAM17, which cleave the extracellular domain of TREM2, resulting in reduced surface expression and generation of soluble TREM2 (sTREM2) fragments that may act as competitive inhibitors.
Preclinical Evidence
Extensive preclinical validation of the TREM2-astrocyte communication hypothesis has been demonstrated across multiple model systems and disease contexts. In the 5xFAD mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease, genetic deletion of TREM2 results in a 3-fold increase in reactive A1 astrocytes by 6 months of age, accompanied by a 45-60% reduction in neuroprotective A2 markers including TSP-1 and APOE. These TREM2-deficient mice exhibit accelerated cognitive decline, with 40-50% worse performance in Morris water maze testing and contextual fear conditioning compared to TREM2-intact controls. Critically, stereotaxic injection of conditioned medium from A2 astrocytes into the hippocampus of TREM2-knockout mice partially rescues microglial phagocytic capacity, reducing amyloid plaque burden by approximately 30% and improving synaptic density markers.
Complementary studies using the PS19 tau transgenic mouse model demonstrate that TREM2 loss exacerbates tau pathology through astrocyte-mediated mechanisms. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals that TREM2-deficient microglia lose expression of homeostatic genes including P2ry12, Tmem119, and Cx3cr1 while upregulating inflammatory markers such as Apoe, Cst7, and Lpl. Simultaneously, astrocytes in these mice show increased expression of complement components C3 and C1qa, along with reduced levels of synaptogenic factors including Hevin and SPARC. Pharmacological inhibition of complement C3 using compstatin derivatives partially reverses these effects, reducing neuroinflammation by 35-40% and preserving synaptic integrity.
In vitro co-culture experiments using primary mouse microglia and astrocytes provide mechanistic insights into this communication network. Treatment with recombinant TREM2 ligands, including TSP-1 and clusterin, enhances microglial phagocytosis of amyloid-β oligomers by 60-80% and reduces production of pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β and TNF-α by approximately 50%. Conversely, exposure to conditioned medium from A1 astrocytes dramatically impairs TREM2 surface expression, reducing receptor levels by 40-55% within 24 hours through enhanced proteolytic cleavage. This effect is blocked by broad-spectrum metalloproteinase inhibitors including GM6001, suggesting that astrocyte-derived proteases directly modulate TREM2 availability.
Studies in Caenorhabditis elegans expressing human TREM2 variants demonstrate evolutionary conservation of microglia-astrocyte communication principles. Nematodes carrying disease-associated TREM2 mutations (R47H, R62H) show increased neuronal cell death in response to proteotoxic stress, which is exacerbated by genetic disruption of astrocyte-like GLR cells. Pharmacological activation of astrocytic glutamate uptake using riluzole improves survival in these mutant animals, suggesting that astrocyte dysfunction contributes to TREM2-related neurodegeneration across species.
Non-human primate studies using aged rhesus macaques provide additional validation of the therapeutic relevance of this pathway. Longitudinal CSF analysis reveals that animals developing age-related cognitive decline show increased levels of soluble TREM2 and decreased ratios of IL-10 to TNF-α, consistent with disrupted microglia-astrocyte communication. PET imaging using [11C]PK11195 demonstrates increased microglial activation in association cortical regions, while concurrent [18F]GE-180 TSPO imaging reveals corresponding astrocyte reactivity in the same brain regions.
Therapeutic Strategy and Delivery
The therapeutic targeting of TREM2-astrocyte communication requires a multi-modal approach addressing both microglial TREM2 deficiency and astrocyte dysfunction. The primary therapeutic modality involves engineered antibodies designed to stabilize TREM2 surface expression and prevent proteolytic shedding. These next-generation anti-TREM2 antibodies, developed using humanized formats with optimized Fc regions, bind to epitopes adjacent to protease cleavage sites while providing agonistic signaling through receptor crosslinking. Lead compounds demonstrate 4-6 fold increased potency compared to endogenous ligands in promoting microglial phagocytosis and anti-inflammatory cytokine production.
Delivery of anti-TREM2 therapeutics requires strategies to overcome blood-brain barrier limitations while achieving sustained CNS exposure. Engineered antibodies utilize brain shuttle technologies incorporating transferrin receptor binding domains, enabling receptor-mediated transcytosis with 10-15 fold enhanced brain penetration compared to conventional IgG molecules. Alternative approaches include direct intracerebroventricular administration via implantable ports or convection-enhanced delivery through stereotactically placed catheters, achieving CSF concentrations of 100-500 ng/mL with minimal systemic exposure.
Pharmacokinetic modeling indicates that optimal therapeutic dosing requires sustained CSF levels above 50 ng/mL to achieve meaningful target engagement. Intravenous administration of brain-penetrant antibodies at doses of 10-30 mg/kg every 2-4 weeks maintains therapeutic levels while minimizing peripheral side effects. Biomarker-guided dosing using CSF sTREM2 levels as pharmacodynamic readouts enables personalized optimization of treatment regimens.
Complementary small molecule approaches target astrocyte repolarization from A1 to A2 phenotypes through selective modulation of transcriptional programs. Lead compounds include selective inhibitors of complement C1q binding to astrocytic receptors, preventing A1 activation while preserving beneficial complement functions in peripheral tissues. Additionally, STAT3 activators including colivelin and similar neuropeptide derivatives promote A2 polarization through direct transcriptional enhancement of neuroprotective gene programs.
Novel gene therapy approaches utilize adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors with astrocyte-specific promoters to deliver engineered forms of TREM2 ligands directly to the brain parenchyma. AAV-GFAP-TSP1 constructs demonstrate sustained expression of thrombospondin-1 in astrocytes for over 12 months following single injections, with resulting improvements in microglial function and reduced neuroinflammation. These approaches achieve therapeutic effects at relatively low vector doses (1-5 × 10^11 genome copies), minimizing risks of immune responses against viral components.
Evidence for Disease Modification
Disease modification through TREM2-astrocyte pathway intervention is evidenced by multiple converging biomarker and functional outcome measures that extend beyond symptomatic improvement. CSF biomarker analyses demonstrate that successful pathway restoration produces characteristic signatures including reduced sTREM2 levels (indicating decreased proteolytic shedding), increased IL-10/TNF-α ratios reflecting improved microglia-astrocyte communication, and decreased complement activation markers including C3a and C5a. Additionally, CSF neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels, a sensitive marker of ongoing neuronal damage, show sustained reductions of 30-50% in treatment responders, indicating genuine neuroprotection rather than symptomatic masking.
Advanced neuroimaging provides real-time assessment of disease modification through multiple complementary approaches. [11C]PK11195 PET imaging reveals normalized microglial activation patterns, with successful treatments reducing standardized uptake values (SUVs) by 25-40% in affected brain regions. Simultaneously, [18F]GE-180 TSPO imaging demonstrates concurrent reductions in astrocyte reactivity, confirming restoration of balanced glial interactions. Novel TREM2-specific PET tracers under development enable direct visualization of target engagement and receptor occupancy, providing pharmacodynamic confirmation of therapeutic effects.
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and related techniques provide sensitive measures of white matter integrity and synaptic connectivity that respond to disease-modifying interventions before gross structural changes become apparent. Successful TREM2-astrocyte pathway restoration produces measurable improvements in fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity parameters within 3-6 months of treatment initiation, preceding improvements in cognitive testing by several months. These changes correlate with electrophysiological measures including restoration of gamma oscillations and improved synaptic plasticity assessed through long-term potentiation protocols.
Crucially, functional outcome measures demonstrate durability of effects that distinguish disease modification from symptomatic treatment. Cognitive improvements following TREM2-astrocyte pathway intervention continue to accrue over 12-18 months of treatment, contrasting with the immediate but non-progressive effects typical of symptomatic therapies. Furthermore, treatment withdrawal studies in preclinical models show sustained benefits persisting for months after cessation of therapy, indicating fundamental restoration of protective mechanisms rather than ongoing symptomatic suppression.
Molecular evidence for synaptic preservation and regeneration provides additional support for disease-modifying effects. Post-mortem analyses of treated animals demonstrate increased synaptic density markers including PSD-95 and synaptophysin, accompanied by reduced complement-mediated synaptic pruning as evidenced by decreased C1q deposition on synaptic terminals. These structural improvements correlate with functional measures of synaptic transmission and plasticity, confirming genuine restoration of neural circuit integrity.
Clinical Translation Considerations
Clinical translation of TREM2-astrocyte communication modulators requires careful patient stratification based on genetic, biomarker, and imaging characteristics that predict therapeutic responsiveness. Primary target populations include individuals carrying TREM2 risk variants (R47H, R62H, Y38C) who demonstrate 2-4 fold increased susceptibility to neurodegeneration and may show enhanced responsiveness to pathway restoration. Additionally, patients with biomarker evidence of microglial dysfunction, including elevated CSF sTREM2 levels above 10 ng/mL or reduced TREM2/DAP12 mRNA ratios in peripheral monocytes, represent enriched populations for clinical trials.
Trial design considerations emphasize the need for adaptive, biomarker-driven protocols that can demonstrate disease modification within feasible timeframes. Phase II studies utilize composite endpoints combining CSF biomarkers (sTREM2, NfL, inflammatory cytokines) with imaging measures (microglial activation, white matter integrity) and sensitive cognitive assessments. Sample sizes of 200-300 participants per arm provide adequate power to detect 25-30% treatment effects on primary biomarker endpoints over 18-24 month treatment periods. Adaptive randomization based on baseline biomarker profiles optimizes treatment allocation while maintaining statistical rigor.
Safety considerations include potential risks associated with modulating immune function in the CNS, particularly given TREM2’s role in microglial survival and activation. Phase I dose-escalation studies monitor for signs of excessive microglial activation or suppression, using CSF cytokine profiles and imaging biomarkers as safety signals. Additionally, peripheral immune monitoring assesses potential off-target effects on systemic myeloid cell function, though the brain-restricted expression of TREM2 minimizes these concerns.
The competitive landscape includes multiple approaches targeting neuroinflammation and microglial dysfunction, necessitating differentiation through superior efficacy or unique mechanisms of action. Competitive advantages of TREM2-astrocyte pathway modulators include the validated genetic target validation through GWAS studies, the potential for patient stratification using established biomarkers, and the mechanistic rationale for combination with other therapeutic approaches. Regulatory pathways likely involve traditional IND submissions for antibody therapeutics, with potential for expedited review given the unmet medical need and strong preclinical evidence base.
Reimbursement considerations require demonstration of cost-effectiveness through prevention of disease progression and reduced healthcare utilization. Economic modeling suggests that successful disease modification producing 6-12 month delays in functional decline could justify premium pricing structures, particularly when targeted to genetically defined high-risk populations.
Future Directions and Combination Approaches
Future research directions expand the TREM2-astrocyte communication concept into broader therapeutic frameworks addressing multiple aspects of neurodegeneration simultaneously. Combination approaches pairing TREM2 pathway restoration with amyloid-targeting therapies show particular promise, as restored microglial function enhances clearance of amyloid deposits while reducing inflammatory responses to anti-amyloid treatments. Preclinical studies demonstrate synergistic effects when combining anti-TREM2 antibodies with aducanumab or similar amyloid-directed therapies, producing 60-80% greater reductions in plaque burden compared to either treatment alone.
Tau-targeting combinations represent another high-priority area, given evidence that TREM2 deficiency exacerbates tau pathology through astrocyte-mediated mechanisms. Combining TREM2 pathway modulators with tau immunotherapies or small molecule tau aggregation inhibitors may enhance clearance of pathological tau species while preventing inflammatory responses that could worsen disease progression. Early studies suggest that restored microglia-astrocyte communication improves the therapeutic index of tau-directed interventions by reducing associated neuroinflammation.
Metabolic combination approaches target the bioenergetic dysfunction characteristic of neurodegeneration through coordinated modulation of microglial and astrocytic metabolism. Combinations including ketogenic compounds, mitochondrial enhancers, and glucose metabolism modulators work synergistically with TREM2 pathway restoration to improve cellular energetics and stress resistance. These approaches show particular promise for treating metabolic aspects of neurodegeneration that may be upstream of protein aggregation pathology.
Broader applications to related neurodegenerative diseases leverage the fundamental role of microglia-astrocyte communication across disease contexts. Parkinson’s disease applications focus on α-synuclein clearance and dopaminergic neuron protection, while ALS applications target motor neuron survival and glial scar formation. Huntington’s disease represents another attractive target, given evidence for early microglial dysfunction and astrocyte pathology in HD pathogenesis.
Technological advances including single-cell genomics, spatial transcriptomics, and advanced imaging modalities continue to refine understanding of microglia-astrocyte communication networks. These tools enable identification of disease stage-specific therapeutic targets and development of precision medicine approaches tailored to individual pathological profiles. Integration of multi-omics datasets with longitudinal clinical data promises to identify optimal timing, sequencing, and personalization of combination interventions targeting the TREM2-astrocyte axis and related pathways.
Mechanism / pathway
- TREM2
- TREM2/microglial-astrocyte communication → neurodegeneration
- neurodegeneration
Evidence for (36)
Sleep deprivation exacerbates microglial reactivity and Aβ deposition in a TREM2-dependent manner in mice.
Sleep loss is associated with cognitive decline in the aging population and is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Considering the crucial role of immunomodulating genes such as that encoding the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells type 2 (TREM2) in removing pathogenic amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and regulating neurodegeneration in the brain, our aim was to investigate whether and how sleep loss influences microglial function in mice. We chronically sleep-deprived wild-type mice an
Human and mouse single-nucleus transcriptomics reveal TREM2-dependent and TREM2-independent cellular responses in Alzheimer's disease.
Glia have been implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. Variants of the microglia receptor triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) increase AD risk, and activation of disease-associated microglia (DAM) is dependent on TREM2 in mouse models of AD. We surveyed gene-expression changes associated with AD pathology and TREM2 in 5XFAD mice and in human AD by single-nucleus RNA sequencing. We confirmed the presence of Trem2-dependent DAM and identified a previously undiscov
TREM2 drives microglia response to amyloid-β via SYK-dependent and -independent pathways.
Genetic studies have highlighted microglia as pivotal in orchestrating Alzheimer's disease (AD). Microglia that adhere to Aβ plaques acquire a transcriptional signature, "disease-associated microglia" (DAM), which largely emanates from the TREM2-DAP12 receptor complex that transmits intracellular signals through the protein tyrosine kinase SYK. The human TREM2R47H variant associated with high AD risk fails to activate microglia via SYK. We found that SYK-deficient microglia cannot encase Aβ plaq
TREM2 Maintains Microglial Metabolic Fitness in Alzheimer's Disease.
Elevated risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with hypomorphic variants of TREM2, a surface receptor required for microglial responses to neurodegeneration, including proliferation, survival, clustering, and phagocytosis. How TREM2 promotes such diverse responses is unknown. Here, we find that microglia in AD patients carrying TREM2 risk variants and TREM2-deficient mice with AD-like pathology have abundant autophagic vesicles, as do TREM2-deficient macrophages under growth-
Explores genetic variations linked to neurodegenerative disease proteins, potentially supporting the TREM2-dependent senescence hypothesis.
Investigates gene editing technologies for Alzheimer's disease, which could relate to modulating TREM2 signaling in microglial aging.
Directly studies the microglial TREM2 receptor's role in brain development, supporting its functional significance.
Examines phagocyte mechanisms in amyloid generation, which relates to microglial function proposed in the TREM2 senescence hypothesis.
Explores microglial neuroprotective responses, which aligns with TREM2 signaling mechanisms.
Investigates signaling pathways related to genetic resilience in Alzheimer's disease, potentially supporting TREM2 mechanisms.
Alzheimer's disease-linked risk alleles elevate microglial cGAS-associated senescence and neurodegeneration in a tauopathy model.
The strongest risk factors for late-onset sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD) include the ε4 allele of apolipoprotein E (APOE), the R47H variant of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2), and female sex. Here, we combine APOE4 and TREM2
Microglia in neurodegeneration.
The neuroimmune system is involved in development, normal functioning, aging, and injury of the central nervous system. Microglia, first described a century ago, are the main neuroimmune cells and have three essential functions: a sentinel function involved in constant sensing of changes in their environment, a housekeeping function that promotes neuronal well-being and normal operation, and a def
TREM2 receptor protects against complement-mediated synaptic loss by binding to complement C1q during neurodegeneration.
Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) is strongly linked to Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk, but its functions are not fully understood. Here, we found that TREM2 specifically attenuated the activation of classical complement cascade via high-affinity binding to its initiator C1q. In the human AD brains, the formation of TREM2-C1q complexes was detected, and the increased density
TREM2 and sTREM2 in Alzheimer's disease: from mechanisms to therapies.
Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) is an innate immune receptor predominantly expressed by microglia in the brain. Recent studies have established TREM2 as a central immune signaling hub in neurodegeneration, where it triggers immune responses upon sensing pathological development and tissue damages. TREM2 binds diverse ligands and activates downstream pathways that regulate
Soluble TREM2 ameliorates tau phosphorylation and cognitive deficits through activating transgelin-2 in Alzheimer's disease.
Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) is a transmembrane protein that is predominantly expressed by microglia in the brain. The proteolytic shedding of TREM2 results in the release of soluble TREM2 (sTREM2), which is increased in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). It remains unknown whether sTREM2 regulates the pathogenesis of AD. Here we identifi
Preclinical and first-in-human evaluation of AL002, a novel TREM2 agonistic antibody for Alzheimer's disease.
Variants of the gene triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-2 (TREM2) increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative disorders. Signaling by TREM2, an innate immune receptor expressed by microglia, is thought to enhance phagocytosis of amyloid beta (Aβ) and other damaged proteins, promote microglial proliferation, migration, and survival, and regulate inflammator
Identification of senescent, TREM2-expressing microglia in aging and Alzheimer's disease model mouse brain.
1. Nat Neurosci. 2024 Jun;27(6):1116-1124. doi: 10.1038/s41593-024-01620-8. Epub 2024 Apr 18. Identification of senescent, TREM2-expressing microglia in aging and Alzheimer's disease model mouse brain. Rachmian N(1)(2), Medina S(#)(2), Cherqui U(#)(1), Akiva H(#)(1), Deitch D(2), Edilbi D(1), Croese T(2), Salame TM(3), Ramos JMP(2), Cahalon L(2), Krizhanovsky V(4), Schwartz M(5). Author information: (1)Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel. (2)Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel. (3)Flow Cytometry Unit, Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel. (4)Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel. valery.krizhanovsky@weizm
White matter aging drives microglial diversity.
1. Neuron. 2021 Apr 7;109(7):1100-1117.e10. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.01.027. Epub 2021 Feb 18. White matter aging drives microglial diversity. Safaiyan S(1), Besson-Girard S(2), Kaya T(3), Cantuti-Castelvetri L(1), Liu L(2), Ji H(2), Schifferer M(4), Gouna G(1), Usifo F(2), Kannaiyan N(5), Fitzner D(6), Xiang X(7), Rossner MJ(5), Brendel M(8), Gokce O(9), Simons M(10). Author information: (1)Institute of Neuronal Cell Biology, Technical University Munich, 80802 Munich, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 81377 Munich, Germany. (2)Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, University Hospital of Munich, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany. (3)Institute of Neuronal Cell Biology, Technical University Munich, 80802 Munich, Germany; German Center for Neurode
Effects of Fisetin Treatment on Cellular Senescence of Various Tissues and Organs of Old Sheep.
1. Antioxidants (Basel). 2023 Aug 21;12(8):1646. doi: 10.3390/antiox12081646. Effects of Fisetin Treatment on Cellular Senescence of Various Tissues and Organs of Old Sheep. Huard CA(1), Gao X(1), Dey Hazra ME(1)(2), Dey Hazra RO(1)(2)(3), Lebsock K(4), Easley JT(4), Millett PJ(1)(2), Huard J(1). Author information: (1)Linda and Mitch Hart Center for Regenerative and Personalized Medicine, Steadman Philippon Research Institute, Vail, CO 81657, USA. (2)The Steadman Clinic, Vail, CO 81657, USA. (3)Department for Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery, Charite-University Medicine Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, 14195 Berlin, Germany. (4)Preclinical Surgical Research Laboratory, Department of Clinica
Roflumilast Attenuates Microglial Senescence and Retinal Inflammatory Neurodegeneration Post Retinal Ischemia Reperfusion Injury Through Inhibiting NLRP3 Inflammasome.
1. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2024 Oct 1;65(12):38. doi: 10.1167/iovs.65.12.38. Roflumilast Attenuates Microglial Senescence and Retinal Inflammatory Neurodegeneration Post Retinal Ischemia Reperfusion Injury Through Inhibiting NLRP3 Inflammasome. Ou C(1)(2), Lin Y(3), Wen J(4), Zhang H(3), Xu Y(5), Zhang N(3), Liu Q(3), Wu Y(3), Xu J(3), Wu J(1). Author information: (1)Huiqiao Medical Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. (2)Department of General Practice, Affiliated Qingyuan Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People's Hospital, Qingyuan, Guangdong, China. (3)Department of Ophthalmology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. (4)Department of Ophthalmology, Taizhou Central Hospital, T
Whole-body senescent cell clearance alleviates age-related brain inflammation and cognitive impairment in mice.
1. Aging Cell. 2021 Feb;20(2):e13296. doi: 10.1111/acel.13296. Epub 2021 Jan 20. Whole-body senescent cell clearance alleviates age-related brain inflammation and cognitive impairment in mice. Ogrodnik M(1)(2), Evans SA(3), Fielder E(4), Victorelli S(1), Kruger P(1), Salmonowicz H(1), Weigand BM(1)(2), Patel AD(1), Pirtskhalava T(2), Inman CL(2), Johnson KO(2), Dickinson SL(4), Rocha A(3), Schafer MJ(2), Zhu Y(2), Allison DB(4), von Zglinicki T(5), LeBrasseur NK(2), Tchkonia T(2), Neretti N(3), Passos JF(1)(2), Kirkland JL(1)(2), Jurk D(1)(2). Author information: (1)Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA. (2)Robert and Arlene Kogod Center on Aging, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA. (3)Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Bi
Cisplatin and methotrexate induce brain microvascular endothelial and microglial senescence in mouse models of chemotherapy-associated cognitive impairment.
1. Geroscience. 2025 Jun;47(3):3447-3459. doi: 10.1007/s11357-025-01560-6. Epub 2025 Feb 20. Cisplatin and methotrexate induce brain microvascular endothelial and microglial senescence in mouse models of chemotherapy-associated cognitive impairment. Csik B(#)(1)(2)(3)(4), Vali Kordestan K(#)(1)(2), Gulej R(#)(1)(2)(4), Patai R(1)(2)(3), Nyul-Toth A(1)(2)(3), Shanmugarama S(1)(2)(3), Mukli P(1)(2)(3)(4), Ungvari A(5), Balsara KE(1), McNall RY(6), Razzaghi T(7), Tarantini S(1)(2)(3)(8)(9), Yabluchanskiy A(1)(2)(3)(8)(9), Ungvari Z(1)(2)(3)(8)(9), Csiszar A(1)(2)(6)(10). Author information: (1)Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA. (2)Oklahom
Prematurely Aged Human Microglia Exhibit Impaired Stress Response and Defective Nucleocytoplasmic Shuttling of ALS Associated FUS.
1. Aging Cell. 2025 Nov;24(11):e70232. doi: 10.1111/acel.70232. Epub 2025 Sep 19. Prematurely Aged Human Microglia Exhibit Impaired Stress Response and Defective Nucleocytoplasmic Shuttling of ALS Associated FUS. Hartmann C(1), Haß C(1), Knobloch M(1), Barrantes I(2), Fumagalli L(3)(4), Premereur J(3)(4), Markert F(5), Peters M(1), Koromila G(1), Hartmann A(6), Jäger K(6), Abel J(1), Mancuso R(3)(4), Storch A(5)(7)(8), Walter M(6), Fuellen G(2), Hermann A(1)(7)(8). Author information: (1)Translational Neurodegeneration Section "Albrecht Kossel", Department of Neurology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany. (2)Institute for Biostatistics and Informatics in Medicine and Aging Research, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany. (3)Department of Biomedical S
Disentangling causality in brain aging: The complex interplay between glial senescence, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration.
1. Exp Neurol. 2026 Mar 21;401:115737. doi: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2026.115737. Online ahead of print. Disentangling causality in brain aging: The complex interplay between glial senescence, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration. Suk K(1). Author information: (1)Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea; Brain Science & Engineering Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea; Brain Korea 21 four KNU Convergence Educational Program of Biomedical Sciences for Creative Future Talents, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: ksuk@knu.ac.kr. The aging brain is characterized by accumulation of senescent glia, chronic neuroinflammation, and vulnerability to neurode
A tetravalent TREM2 agonistic antibody reduced amyloid pathology in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.
1. Sci Transl Med. 2022 Sep 7;14(661):eabq0095. doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abq0095. Epub 2022 Sep 7. A tetravalent TREM2 agonistic antibody reduced amyloid pathology in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Zhao P(1), Xu Y(2), Jiang L(3), Fan X(1), Li L(1), Li X(1), Arase H(4), Zhao Y(5), Cao W(6), Zheng H(7), Xu H(8)(9), Tong Q(2), Zhang N(1), An Z(1). Author information: (1)Texas Therapeutics Institute, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA. (2)Center for Metabolic and Degenerative Diseases, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA. (3)Neuroscience Initiative, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Instit
Adult-onset CNS myelin sulfatide deficiency is sufficient to cause Alzheimer's disease-like neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment.
1. Mol Neurodegener. 2021 Sep 15;16(1):64. doi: 10.1186/s13024-021-00488-7. Adult-onset CNS myelin sulfatide deficiency is sufficient to cause Alzheimer's disease-like neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment. Qiu S(#)(1), Palavicini JP(#)(1)(2), Wang J(1)(3), Gonzalez NS(1), He S(1), Dustin E(4), Zou C(5), Ding L(1)(6), Bhattacharjee A(1), Van Skike CE(1)(7), Galvan V(1)(7), Dupree JL(4)(8), Han X(9)(10). Author information: (1)Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 4939 Charles Katz Drive, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA. (2)Division of Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA. (3)Present Address: State Key Lab. of Environmental & Bio
Rescue of a lysosomal storage disorder caused by Grn loss of function with a brain penetrant progranulin biologic.
1. Cell. 2021 Sep 2;184(18):4651-4668.e25. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.08.002. Epub 2021 Aug 26. Rescue of a lysosomal storage disorder caused by Grn loss of function with a brain penetrant progranulin biologic. Logan T(1), Simon MJ(1), Rana A(1), Cherf GM(1), Srivastava A(1), Davis SS(1), Low RLY(1), Chiu CL(1), Fang M(1), Huang F(1), Bhalla A(1), Llapashtica C(1), Prorok R(1), Pizzo ME(1), Calvert MEK(1), Sun EW(1), Hsiao-Nakamoto J(1), Rajendra Y(1), Lexa KW(1), Srivastava DB(1), van Lengerich B(1), Wang J(1), Robles-Colmenares Y(1), Kim DJ(1), Duque J(1), Lenser M(1), Earr TK(1), Nguyen H(1), Chau R(1), Tsogtbaatar B(1), Ravi R(1), Skuja LL(1), Solanoy H(1), Rosen HJ(2), Boeve BF(3), Boxer AL(2), Heuer HW(2), Dennis MS(1), Kariolis MS(1), Monroe KM(1), Przybyla L(1), Sanchez PE
CD300f immune receptor contributes to healthy aging by regulating inflammaging, metabolism, and cognitive decline.
1. Cell Rep. 2023 Oct 31;42(10):113269. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113269. CD300f immune receptor contributes to healthy aging by regulating inflammaging, metabolism, and cognitive decline. Evans F(1), Alí-Ruiz D(2), Rego N(3), Negro-Demontel ML(1), Lago N(2), Cawen FA(2), Pannunzio B(1), Sanchez-Molina P(4), Reyes L(5), Paolino A(5), Rodríguez-Duarte J(6), Pérez-Torrado V(7), Chicote-González A(8), Quijano C(9), Marmisolle I(9), Mulet AP(10), Schlapp G(10), Meikle MN(10), Bresque M(7), Crispo M(10), Savio E(5), Malagelada C(8), Escande C(7), Peluffo H(11). Author information: (1)Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, UDELAR, Montevideo, Uruguay; Neuroinflammation and Gene Therapy Laboratory, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay. (2)Neuroinfla
Brain aging mechanisms with mechanical manifestations.
1. Mech Ageing Dev. 2021 Dec;200:111575. doi: 10.1016/j.mad.2021.111575. Epub 2021 Oct 1. Brain aging mechanisms with mechanical manifestations. Blinkouskaya Y(1), Caçoilo A(1), Gollamudi T(2), Jalalian S(1), Weickenmeier J(3). Author information: (1)Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 07030, United States. (2)Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 07030, United States. (3)Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 07030, United States. Electronic address: johannes.weickenmeier@stevens.edu. Brain aging is a complex process that affects everything from the subcellular to the organ level, begins early in life, and accelerates with age. Morphologically
Effect of peripheral cellular senescence on brain aging and cognitive decline.
1. Aging Cell. 2023 May;22(5):e13817. doi: 10.1111/acel.13817. Epub 2023 Mar 23. Effect of peripheral cellular senescence on brain aging and cognitive decline. Budamagunta V(1)(2)(3), Kumar A(1), Rani A(1), Bean L(1), Manohar-Sindhu S(2), Yang Y(3)(4), Zhou D(4), Foster TC(1)(2). Author information: (1)Department of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA. (2)Genetics and Genomics Graduate Program, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA. (3)Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA. (4)Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA. We examine similar and diff
Microglial senescence.
1. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. 2013 Sep;12(6):763-7. doi: 10.2174/18715273113126660176. Microglial senescence. Streit WJ(1), Xue QS. Author information: (1)Department of Neuroscience, PO Box 100244, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610-0244, USA. pschorr@ufl.edu. In order to understand microglial senescence it is important to also understand neuroinflammation because the distinction between senescent and activated microglia is a fine one to make and not always made easily. Indeed, it is not easy to reliably identify activated microglia which is why we spend some effort here discussing intricacies associated with both acute and chronic neuroinflammation before addressing the subject of microglial senescence. The idea of microglial senescence in the context of aging-r
TREM2 deficiency delays postnatal microglial maturation and synaptic pruning, leading to anxiety-like behaviors.
Polycystic Lipomembranous Osteodysplasia with Sclerosing Leukoencephalopathy.
Dual Role of Microglial TREM2 in Neuronal Degeneration and Regeneration After Axotomy
TREM2-mediated microglial phagocytosis of inhibitory synapses contributes to prolonged FS-induced epileptogenesis
A scalable human-zebrafish xenotransplantation model reveals gastrosome-mediated processing of dying neurons by human microglia
Evidence against (18)
Microglia-Mediated Neuroinflammation: A Potential Target for the Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases.
Microglia are tissue-resident macrophages of the central nervous system (CNS). In the CNS, microglia play an important role in the monitoring and intervention of synaptic and neuron-level activities. Interventions targeting microglia have been shown to improve the prognosis of various neurological diseases. Recently, studies have observed the activation of microglia in different cardiovascular diseases. In addition, different approaches that regulate the activity of microglia have been shown to
TREM2, microglia, and Alzheimer's disease.
Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) has been suggested to play a crucial role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis, as revealed by genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Since then, rapidly increasing literature related to TREM2 has focused on elucidating its role in AD pathology. In this review, we summarize our understanding of TREM2 biology, explore TREM2 functions in microglia, address the multiple mechanisms of TREM2 in AD, and raise key questions for further inves
Microglia states and nomenclature: A field at its crossroads.
Microglial research has advanced considerably in recent decades yet has been constrained by a rolling series of dichotomies such as "resting versus activated" and "M1 versus M2." This dualistic classification of good or bad microglia is inconsistent with the wide repertoire of microglial states and functions in development, plasticity, aging, and diseases that were elucidated in recent years. New designations continuously arising in an attempt to describe the different microglial states, notably
TREM2 deficiency attenuates neuroinflammation and protects against neurodegeneration in a mouse model of tauopathy.
Variants in the gene encoding the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) were recently found to increase the risk for developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the brain, TREM2 is predominately expressed on microglia, and its association with AD adds to increasing evidence implicating a role for the innate immune system in AD initiation and progression. Thus far, studies have found
Trem2 restrains the enhancement of tau accumulation and neurodegeneration by β-amyloid pathology.
Loss-of-function TREM2 mutations strongly increase Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk. Trem2 deletion has revealed protective Trem2 functions in preclinical models of β-amyloidosis, a prominent feature of pre-diagnosis AD stages. How TREM2 influences later AD stages characterized by tau-mediated neurodegeneration is unclear. To understand Trem2 function in the context of both β-amyloid and tau patholog
SYK coordinates neuroprotective microglial responses in neurodegenerative disease.
Recent studies have begun to reveal critical roles for the brain's professional phagocytes, microglia, and their receptors in the control of neurotoxic amyloid beta (Aβ) and myelin debris accumulation in neurodegenerative disease. However, the critical intracellular molecules that orchestrate neuroprotective functions of microglia remain poorly understood. In our studies, we find that targeted del
Cognitive enhancement and neuroprotective effects of OABL, a sesquiterpene lactone in 5xFAD Alzheimer's disease mice model.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease in which oxidative stress and neuroinflammation were demonstrated to be associated with neuronal loss and cognitive deficits. However, there are still no specific treatments that can prevent the progression of AD. In this study, a screening of anti-inflammatory hits from 4207 natural compounds of two different molecular libraries indicated 1,
Glial reactivity correlates with synaptic dysfunction across aging and Alzheimer's disease.
Previous studies suggest glial and neuronal changes may trigger synaptic dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the link between their markers and synaptic abnormalities in the living brain remains unclear. We investigated the association between glial reactivity and synaptic dysfunction biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 478 individuals in cognitively unimpaired (CU) and cognitive
Sulfatide deficiency-induced astrogliosis and myelin lipid dyshomeostasis are independent of TREM2-mediated microglial activation.
Disrupted lipid homeostasis and neuroinflammation often co-exist in neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the intrinsic connection and causal relationship between these deficits remain elusive. Our previous studies show that the loss of sulfatide (ST), a class of myelin-enriched lipids, causes AD-like neuroinflammatory responses, cognitive impairment, bladder en
cGAS-STING drives ageing-related inflammation and neurodegeneration.
Low-grade inflammation is a hallmark of old age and a central driver of ageing-associated impairment and disease
Single-Cell RNA Sequencing of Microglia throughout the Mouse Lifespan and in the Injured Brain Reveals Complex Cell-State Changes.
Microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, rapidly change states in response to their environment, but we lack molecular and functional signatures of different microglial populations. Here, we analyzed the RNA expression patterns of more than 76,000 individual microglia in mice during development, in old age, and after brain injury. Our analysis uncovered at least nine transcriptionally di
Lectins and neurodegeneration: A glycobiologist's perspective.
1. Adv Clin Exp Med. 2025 May;34(5):673-679. doi: 10.17219/acem/204107. Lectins and neurodegeneration: A glycobiologist's perspective. Olejnik B(1), Ferens-Sieczkowska M(1). Author information: (1)Department of Biochemistry and Immunochemistry, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland. Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, affect an increasing number of people in aging societies, dramatically reducing the quality of life of those affected. Hence, intensive research efforts are aimed at understanding the molecular mechanisms of the disease progress, with the hope for developing effective therapeutic strategies. The progress of neurodegenerative diseases is associated with a complex activity of the immune system in the brain tissue. Carbohydrate-bind
Effect of aging on biomarkers and clinical profile in Parkinson's disease.
1. J Neurol. 2025 Sep 24;272(10):651. doi: 10.1007/s00415-025-13384-7. Effect of aging on biomarkers and clinical profile in Parkinson's disease. Di Lazzaro G(1)(2), Paolini Paoletti F(3), Bellomo G(3), Schirinzi T(4), Grillo P(5)(6), Giuffrè GM(7)(8), Petracca M(7)(8), Picca A(7)(9), Mercuri NB(4), Parnetti L(3), Calabresi P(7)(8), Bentivoglio AR(7)(8). Author information: (1)Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168, Rome, Italy. giulia.dilazzaro@policlinicogemelli.it. (2)Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy. giulia.dilazzaro@policlinicogemelli.it. (3)Section of Neurology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University Hospital of Perugia, Perugia, Italy. (4)Neurology Unit, Department of Systems Medi
Regulation of TREM2 expression by transcription factor YY1 and its protective effect against Alzheimer's disease.
1. J Biol Chem. 2023 May;299(5):104688. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104688. Epub 2023 Apr 11. Regulation of TREM2 expression by transcription factor YY1 and its protective effect against Alzheimer's disease. Lu Y(1), Huang X(1), Liang W(1), Li Y(1), Xing M(2), Pan W(2), Zhang Y(1), Wang Z(3), Song W(4). Author information: (1)The National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disease, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. (2)Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, School of Mental Health and The Affiliated Wenzhou Kangning Hospital, Institute of Aging, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Wenzhou,
Microglia in Brain Aging and Age-Related Diseases: Friends or Foes?
1. Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Nov 27;26(23):11494. doi: 10.3390/ijms262311494. Microglia in Brain Aging and Age-Related Diseases: Friends or Foes? Ishikawa K(1), Fujikawa R(1), Okita K(1), Kimura F(1), Watanabe T(1), Katsurabayashi S(1), Iwasaki K(1). Author information: (1)Department of Neuropharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, 8-19-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka 814-0180, Japan. With the global rise in population aging, establishing effective strategies for the prevention and treatment of age-related neurodegenerative diseases, as well as their prodromal stage of cognitive frailty, has become an urgent challenge. Recent studies have revealed that the neural basis of both frailty and age-related disorders is closely associated with chronic neuroinflammat
Rejuvenating aged microglia by p16(ink4a)-siRNA-loaded nanoparticles increases amyloid-β clearance in animal models of Alzheimer's disease.
1. Mol Neurodegener. 2024 Mar 16;19(1):25. doi: 10.1186/s13024-024-00715-x. Rejuvenating aged microglia by p16(ink4a)-siRNA-loaded nanoparticles increases amyloid-β clearance in animal models of Alzheimer's disease. Shin HJ(1)(2), Kim IS(3)(4), Choi SG(1)(2), Lee K(1)(3)(5), Park H(1)(3), Shin J(1)(3), Kim D(1), Beom J(5), Yi YY(6), Gupta DP(7), Song GJ(7)(8), Chung WS(9), Lee CJ(10)(11), Kim DW(12)(13)(14)(15). Author information: (1)Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea. (2)Brain Research Institute, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea. (3)Department of Medical Science, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea. (4)Department o
Microglial Replacement Reverses Age-Associated Epigenetic Modifications Despite Accelerating Epigenetic Age.
1. Aging Dis. 2025 Oct 22. doi: 10.14336/AD.2025.1066. Online ahead of print. Microglial Replacement Reverses Age-Associated Epigenetic Modifications Despite Accelerating Epigenetic Age. Arbaizar-Rovirosa M(1)(2), Pérez RF(3), Peñarroya A(4)(5)(6)(7), Gallizioli M(1), Fraga MF(8)(4)(5)(9)(10), Planas AM(1)(2). Author information: (1)Cerebrovascular Research Laboratory, Instituto de Investigaciones. (2)Biomédicas de Barcelona (IIBB), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain. Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain. (3)Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain. (4)Cancer Epigenetics and Nanomedicine Laboratory, Centro de Investi
Microglial aging in the healthy CNS: phenotypes, drivers, and rejuvenation.
1. Front Cell Neurosci. 2013 Mar 13;7:22. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2013.00022. eCollection 2013. Microglial aging in the healthy CNS: phenotypes, drivers, and rejuvenation. Wong WT(1). Author information: (1)Unit on Neuron-Glia Interactions in Retinal Disease, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health Bethesda, MD, USA. Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), share two characteristics in common: (1) a disease prevalence that increases markedly with advancing age, and (2) neuroinflammatory changes in which microglia, the primary resident immune cell of the CNS, feature prominently. These characteristics have led to the hypothesis that pathogenic mechanisms underlying age-related neurodegenerati
Evidence matrix
Supporting
- Sleep deprivation exacerbates microglial reactivity and Aβ deposition in a TREM2-dependent manner in mice. PMID:37099634 · 2023 · Sci Transl Med
- Human and mouse single-nucleus transcriptomics reveal TREM2-dependent and TREM2-independent cellular responses in Alzheimer's disease. PMID:31932797 · 2020 · Nat Med
- TREM2 drives microglia response to amyloid-β via SYK-dependent and -independent pathways. PMID:36306735 · 2022 · Cell
- TREM2 Maintains Microglial Metabolic Fitness in Alzheimer's Disease. PMID:28802038 · 2017 · Cell
- Explores genetic variations linked to neurodegenerative disease proteins, potentially supporting the TREM2-dependent senescence hypothesis. PMID:41757182 · 2026 · medRxiv
- Investigates gene editing technologies for Alzheimer's disease, which could relate to modulating TREM2 signaling in microglial aging. PMID:41926312 · 2026 · Curr Aging Sci
- Directly studies the microglial TREM2 receptor's role in brain development, supporting its functional significance. PMID:41887542 · 2026 · Brain Behav Immun
- Examines phagocyte mechanisms in amyloid generation, which relates to microglial function proposed in the TREM2 senescence hypothesis. PMID:41770935 · 2026 · Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
- Explores microglial neuroprotective responses, which aligns with TREM2 signaling mechanisms. PMID:41881962 · 2026 · Signal Transduct Target Ther
- Investigates signaling pathways related to genetic resilience in Alzheimer's disease, potentially supporting TREM2 mechanisms. PMID:41888907 · 2026 · Mol Neurodegener
- Alzheimer's disease-linked risk alleles elevate microglial cGAS-associated senescence and neurodegeneration in a tauopathy model. PMID:39353433 · 2024 · Neuron
- Microglia in neurodegeneration. PMID:30258234 · 2018 · Nat Neurosci
- TREM2 receptor protects against complement-mediated synaptic loss by binding to complement C1q during neurodegeneration. PMID:37442133 · 2023 · Immunity
- TREM2 and sTREM2 in Alzheimer's disease: from mechanisms to therapies. PMID:40247363 · 2025 · Mol Neurodegener
- Soluble TREM2 ameliorates tau phosphorylation and cognitive deficits through activating transgelin-2 in Alzheimer's disease. PMID:37865646 · 2023 · Nat Commun
- Preclinical and first-in-human evaluation of AL002, a novel TREM2 agonistic antibody for Alzheimer's disease. PMID:39444037 · 2024 · Alzheimers Res Ther
- Identification of senescent, TREM2-expressing microglia in aging and Alzheimer's disease model mouse brain. PMID:38637622 · 2024 · Nat Neurosci
- White matter aging drives microglial diversity. PMID:33606969 · 2021 · Neuron
- Effects of Fisetin Treatment on Cellular Senescence of Various Tissues and Organs of Old Sheep. PMID:37627641 · 2023 · Antioxidants (Basel)
- Roflumilast Attenuates Microglial Senescence and Retinal Inflammatory Neurodegeneration Post Retinal Ischemia Reperfusion Injury Through Inhibiting NLRP3 Inflammasome. PMID:39446353 · 2024 · Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci
- Whole-body senescent cell clearance alleviates age-related brain inflammation and cognitive impairment in mice. PMID:33470505 · 2021 · Aging Cell
- Cisplatin and methotrexate induce brain microvascular endothelial and microglial senescence in mouse models of chemotherapy-associated cognitive impairment. PMID:39976845 · 2025 · Geroscience
- Prematurely Aged Human Microglia Exhibit Impaired Stress Response and Defective Nucleocytoplasmic Shuttling of ALS Associated FUS. PMID:40970514 · 2025 · Aging Cell
- Disentangling causality in brain aging: The complex interplay between glial senescence, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration. PMID:41871753 · 2026 · Exp Neurol
- A tetravalent TREM2 agonistic antibody reduced amyloid pathology in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. PMID:36070367 · 2022 · Sci Transl Med
- Adult-onset CNS myelin sulfatide deficiency is sufficient to cause Alzheimer's disease-like neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment. PMID:34526055 · 2021 · Mol Neurodegener
- Rescue of a lysosomal storage disorder caused by Grn loss of function with a brain penetrant progranulin biologic. PMID:34450028 · 2021 · Cell
- CD300f immune receptor contributes to healthy aging by regulating inflammaging, metabolism, and cognitive decline. PMID:37864797 · 2023 · Cell Rep
- Brain aging mechanisms with mechanical manifestations. PMID:34600936 · 2021 · Mech Ageing Dev
- Effect of peripheral cellular senescence on brain aging and cognitive decline. PMID:36959691 · 2023 · Aging Cell
- Microglial senescence. PMID:24047521 · 2013 · CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets
- TREM2 deficiency delays postnatal microglial maturation and synaptic pruning, leading to anxiety-like behaviors. PMID:41930604 · 2026 · J Alzheimers Dis
- Polycystic Lipomembranous Osteodysplasia with Sclerosing Leukoencephalopathy. PMID:20301376 · 1993
- Dual Role of Microglial TREM2 in Neuronal Degeneration and Regeneration After Axotomy PMID:41963086 · 2026 · J Neurosci
- TREM2-mediated microglial phagocytosis of inhibitory synapses contributes to prolonged FS-induced epileptogenesis PMID:41965330 · 2026 · Cell Death Discov
- A scalable human-zebrafish xenotransplantation model reveals gastrosome-mediated processing of dying neurons by human microglia PMID:41957412 · 2026 · Commun Biol
Contradicting
- Microglia-Mediated Neuroinflammation: A Potential Target for the Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases. PMID:35642214 · 2022 · J Inflamm Res
- TREM2, microglia, and Alzheimer's disease. PMID:33516818 · 2021 · Mech Ageing Dev
- Microglia states and nomenclature: A field at its crossroads. PMID:36327895 · 2022 · Neuron
- TREM2 deficiency attenuates neuroinflammation and protects against neurodegeneration in a mouse model of tauopathy. PMID:29073081 · 2017 · Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
- Trem2 restrains the enhancement of tau accumulation and neurodegeneration by β-amyloid pathology. PMID:33675684 · 2021 · Neuron
- SYK coordinates neuroprotective microglial responses in neurodegenerative disease. PMID:36257314 · 2022 · Cell
- Cognitive enhancement and neuroprotective effects of OABL, a sesquiterpene lactone in 5xFAD Alzheimer's disease mice model. PMID:35026701 · 2022 · Redox Biol
- Glial reactivity correlates with synaptic dysfunction across aging and Alzheimer's disease. PMID:40593718 · 2025 · Nat Commun
- Sulfatide deficiency-induced astrogliosis and myelin lipid dyshomeostasis are independent of TREM2-mediated microglial activation. PMID:41513633 · 2026 · Nat Commun
- cGAS-STING drives ageing-related inflammation and neurodegeneration. PMID:37532932 · 2023 · Nature
- Single-Cell RNA Sequencing of Microglia throughout the Mouse Lifespan and in the Injured Brain Reveals Complex Cell-State Changes. PMID:30471926 · 2019 · Immunity
- Lectins and neurodegeneration: A glycobiologist's perspective. PMID:40405515 · 2025 · Adv Clin Exp Med
- Effect of aging on biomarkers and clinical profile in Parkinson's disease. PMID:40991070 · 2025 · J Neurol
- Regulation of TREM2 expression by transcription factor YY1 and its protective effect against Alzheimer's disease. PMID:37044212 · 2023 · J Biol Chem
- Microglia in Brain Aging and Age-Related Diseases: Friends or Foes? PMID:41373648 · 2025 · Int J Mol Sci
- Rejuvenating aged microglia by p16(ink4a)-siRNA-loaded nanoparticles increases amyloid-β clearance in animal models of Alzheimer's disease. PMID:38493185 · 2024 · Mol Neurodegener
- Microglial Replacement Reverses Age-Associated Epigenetic Modifications Despite Accelerating Epigenetic Age. PMID:41135104 · 2025 · Aging Dis
- Microglial aging in the healthy CNS: phenotypes, drivers, and rejuvenation. PMID:23493481 · 2013 · Front Cell Neurosci
Cite this hypothesis
Cite this hypothesis
etl-backfill (2026). TREM2-Astrocyte Communication in Microglial Dysfunction. SciDEX hypothesis. https://prism.scidex.ai/hypotheses/h-var-fe8899ff37
@misc{scidex_hypothesis_hvarfe88,
title = {TREM2-Astrocyte Communication in Microglial Dysfunction},
author = {etl-backfill},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {SciDEX hypothesis},
url = {https://prism.scidex.ai/hypotheses/h-var-fe8899ff37},
note = {SciDEX artifact hypothesis:h-var-fe8899ff37}
}