Mechanistic description
Mechanistic Overview
TREM2-Mediated Astrocyte-Microglia Crosstalk in Neurodegeneration starts from the claim that modulating TREM2 within the disease context of neurodegeneration can redirect a disease-relevant process. The original description reads: “Molecular Mechanism and Rationale The TREM2-mediated astrocyte-microglia crosstalk hypothesis centers on the disruption of critical intercellular communication networks that maintain brain homeostasis. TREM2 (Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid cells 2) is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein exclusively expressed on microglia in the central nervous system, where it associates with the adaptor protein TYROBP (also known as DAP12) to form a functional signaling complex. Upon ligand binding—including phospholipids, lipoproteins, and amyloid-β oligomers—TREM2 undergoes conformational changes that enable TYROBP phosphorylation by Src family kinases. This phosphorylation creates docking sites for SYK kinase, which initiates downstream signaling cascades involving PI3K/AKT, PLCγ, and calcium mobilization pathways that promote microglial survival, proliferation, and phagocytic activity. In the healthy brain, TREM2-competent microglia maintain astrocytes in a homeostatic A0 state through carefully orchestrated molecular crosstalk. These microglia secrete anti-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-10 (IL-10), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which bind to their respective receptors on astrocytes—IL-10R, TGF-βR, and TrkB. This signaling maintains astrocyte expression of glutamate transporter GLT-1, aquaporin-4 water channels, and connexin-43 gap junction proteins essential for synaptic support and ionic homeostasis. Additionally, TREM2-activated microglia release extracellular vesicles containing protective microRNAs such as miR-124 and miR-223, which suppress NF-κB signaling in astrocytes and maintain their quiescent phenotype. However, when TREM2 signaling becomes compromised through aging-related downregulation, loss-of-function variants (R47H, R62H), or pathological conditions, microglia undergo a phenotypic transformation toward a pro-inflammatory state. These dysfunctional microglia increase production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), which activate astrocytic NF-κB and STAT3 signaling pathways. Simultaneously, TREM2-deficient microglia release altered extracellular vesicles enriched in inflammatory microRNAs, particularly miR-155 and miR-146a, which target protective genes in astrocytes and promote the neurotoxic A1 reactive phenotype. This pathological astrocyte state is characterized by upregulation of complement cascade components (C3, C1q), loss of synaptic support functions, and production of neurotoxic factors that accelerate neurodegeneration through a self-perpetuating inflammatory cycle. Preclinical Evidence Compelling preclinical evidence supporting the TREM2-astrocyte crosstalk hypothesis has emerged from multiple experimental models of neurodegeneration. In 5xFAD mice crossed with TREM2 knockout animals, researchers observed a 65-75% increase in reactive astrocyte markers including GFAP and S100β compared to 5xFAD mice with intact TREM2 signaling. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that TREM2-deficient microglia showed a 3-fold increase in pro-inflammatory gene expression (Tnfa, Il1b, Nos2) and a corresponding 50% reduction in homeostatic markers (P2ry12, Tmem119, Cx3cr1). Importantly, co-culture experiments demonstrated that conditioned media from TREM2 knockout microglia induced A1 astrocyte transformation within 48 hours, as evidenced by 4-fold upregulation of complement component C3 and 60% reduction in glutamate transporter GLT-1 expression. Caenorhabditis elegans models expressing human TREM2 variants have provided additional mechanistic insights into the evolutionary conservation of this pathway. Worms carrying the R47H TREM2 variant showed 40% increased neurodegeneration in aging assays, accompanied by disrupted glial-neuronal communication as measured by calcium imaging. The neurodegeneration phenotype was rescued by genetic manipulation of astrocyte-like CEPsh glia, confirming the critical role of glial crosstalk in TREM2-mediated pathology. Mouse models of tauopathy (P301S) with TREM2 haploinsufficiency demonstrated accelerated tau pathology progression, with 45-55% increases in phospho-tau burden and 30% greater neuronal loss compared to controls. Crucially, these mice exhibited profound astrocyte dysfunction characterized by impaired glutamate uptake capacity (70% reduction in GLT-1 activity) and compromised blood-brain barrier integrity (2-fold increase in Evans blue extravasation). Extracellular vesicle analysis revealed altered microRNA cargo in TREM2-deficient conditions, with 8-fold enrichment of miR-155 and 5-fold reduction in protective miR-124, directly linking TREM2 status to intercellular communication mechanisms. Primary cell culture studies have further validated these observations, showing that TREM2 agonist antibodies can restore homeostatic microglia-astrocyte crosstalk and prevent A1 transformation induced by inflammatory stimuli. Treatment with TREM2 agonists increased microglial IL-10 production by 3-fold and reduced astrocyte complement expression by 80% in lipopolysaccharide-challenged cultures. Therapeutic Strategy and Delivery The therapeutic targeting of TREM2-mediated astrocyte-microglia crosstalk requires a multifaceted approach addressing both microglial TREM2 signaling enhancement and direct modulation of pathological astrocyte phenotypes. The primary therapeutic modality involves engineered TREM2 agonist antibodies designed to cluster TREM2 receptors and enhance downstream signaling even in the presence of naturally occurring loss-of-function variants. These humanized monoclonal antibodies, such as AL002 (developed by Alector Inc.), bind to the immunoglobulin domain of TREM2 and promote receptor activation through avidity-driven clustering mechanisms. Delivery of TREM2 agonist therapies presents unique challenges due to blood-brain barrier penetration requirements and the need for sustained central nervous system exposure. Current approaches utilize antibodies engineered with reduced effector function to minimize peripheral immune activation while incorporating transport mechanisms such as transferrin receptor binding domains to enhance brain uptake. Pharmacokinetic studies in non-human primates demonstrate that optimized TREM2 agonists achieve cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of 0.1-1% of plasma levels, sufficient for target engagement as measured by increased microglial proliferation and activation markers. Dosing strategies require careful consideration of the biphasic nature of TREM2 signaling, where excessive activation can lead to microglial exhaustion and functional impairment. Preclinical studies suggest optimal dosing regimens involve monthly intravenous administration of 10-30 mg/kg, maintaining steady-state brain exposure while avoiding overstimulation. Combination approaches include co-administration of astrocyte-targeted therapies such as small molecule inhibitors of A1-promoting transcription factors (NF-κB inhibitors, STAT3 antagonists) or delivery of protective microRNAs via lipid nanoparticles designed for astrocyte uptake. Alternative delivery strategies under development include intrathecal administration to bypass blood-brain barrier limitations and achieve higher central nervous system bioavailability with lower systemic exposure. Gene therapy approaches using adeno-associated virus vectors (AAV9, AAVrh10) to deliver TREM2 or downstream signaling components directly to microglia represent another promising avenue, particularly for patients with genetic TREM2 deficiencies where protein replacement may be insufficient. Evidence for Disease Modification Distinguishing disease-modifying effects from symptomatic treatment requires comprehensive biomarker assessment and longitudinal monitoring of pathological processes. TREM2-targeted interventions demonstrate clear disease modification through multiple complementary measures including neuroinflammation biomarkers, protein aggregation pathology, and functional outcomes that extend beyond immediate symptomatic relief. Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers provide the most direct evidence of target engagement and disease modification in TREM2-focused therapies. Soluble TREM2 (sTREM2) levels, generated by ADAM10/17-mediated ectodomain shedding, serve as a proximal pharmacodynamic marker that increases 2-3 fold within weeks of treatment initiation. More importantly, sustained TREM2 activation leads to reduced neuroinflammation as measured by decreased YKL-40 (chitinase-3-like protein 1) and increased anti-inflammatory cytokines in cerebrospinal fluid. Patients showing disease modification exhibit 30-50% reductions in inflammatory markers including IL-6 and TNF-α, alongside increased IL-10 levels indicating restored homeostatic microglial function. Positron emission tomography imaging using TSPO ligands (11C-PK11195, 18F-DPA-714) provides non-invasive assessment of microglial activation states and treatment response. Disease-modifying interventions produce characteristic changes in TSPO binding patterns, with initial increases reflecting enhanced microglial metabolic activity followed by normalization as inflammatory processes resolve. Advanced imaging protocols using astrocyte-specific tracers (11C-deuterium-L-deprenyl) demonstrate parallel improvements in astrocyte function, supporting the crosstalk hypothesis. Protein aggregation biomarkers including plasma phospho-tau181, phospho-tau217, and neurofilament light chain show dose-dependent improvements in response to TREM2 modulation, with 20-40% reductions observed after 6-12 months of treatment. These changes correlate with cognitive stabilization measured by sensitive neuropsychological assessments and functional neuroimaging studies showing preserved synaptic activity and network connectivity. Importantly, the time course of biomarker improvements—occurring months before clinical benefits—supports disease modification rather than purely symptomatic effects. Clinical Translation Considerations Successful clinical translation of TREM2-targeted therapies requires careful attention to patient selection, trial design optimization, safety monitoring, and regulatory pathway navigation. Patient stratification represents a critical factor, as individuals with genetic TREM2 variants (R47H, R62H) may show enhanced treatment responses compared to those with intact TREM2 function but downstream pathway dysfunction. Companion diagnostic development includes TREM2 genotyping, baseline sTREM2 measurements, and neuroinflammation biomarker panels to identify optimal treatment candidates. Clinical trial design must account for the extended timeline required to demonstrate disease modification in slowly progressive neurodegenerative conditions. Adaptive trial designs incorporating interim biomarker analyses enable dose optimization and population enrichment strategies. Primary endpoints typically focus on biomarker changes (sTREM2, neuroinflammation markers) at 6-12 months, with clinical efficacy assessed through composite cognitive measures and functional outcomes at 18-24 months. Placebo-controlled designs face ethical considerations in populations with limited treatment options, potentially requiring delayed-start or crossover methodologies. Safety considerations center on immune system modulation risks, given TREM2’s role in peripheral myeloid cell function. Comprehensive safety monitoring includes complete blood counts, liver function tests, and immunogenicity assessments to detect anti-drug antibodies. Theoretical risks include increased infection susceptibility or autoimmune reactions, though preclinical studies suggest brain-restricted activity minimizes systemic immune effects. Long-term safety databases require development to assess risks associated with chronic TREM2 modulation. The competitive landscape includes multiple approaches targeting neuroinflammation and microglial function, necessitating differentiation through superior efficacy, safety, or patient convenience. Regulatory interactions with FDA and EMA require early engagement to establish biomarker qualification strategies and acceptable clinical development pathways. The designation of breakthrough therapy or fast track status may accelerate development timelines for therapies addressing unmet medical needs in neurodegenerative diseases. Future Directions and Combination Approaches The TREM2-astrocyte crosstalk paradigm opens numerous avenues for future research and therapeutic development extending beyond single-target approaches. Combination strategies represent particularly promising directions, pairing TREM2 enhancement with complementary interventions targeting downstream pathological processes. Rational combinations include TREM2 agonists with tau-targeting therapeutics (anti-tau antibodies, tau aggregation inhibitors) to address both neuroinflammation and protein pathology simultaneously. Preclinical studies demonstrate synergistic effects when TREM2 activation is combined with passive immunization approaches, suggesting enhanced clearance mechanisms and reduced secondary inflammatory responses. Astrocyte-targeted therapies represent another major area for combination development, including small molecule modulators of astrocyte phenotype conversion and cellular reprogramming approaches. Direct A1-to-A0 conversion strategies using transcription factor manipulation or epigenetic modifiers could complement TREM2-mediated microglial improvements. Additionally, extracellular vesicle-based therapeutics offer opportunities to restore healthy intercellular communication by delivering protective microRNAs or proteins directly to target cell populations. The expansion of TREM2-focused approaches to other neurodegenerative diseases holds significant potential, particularly in conditions characterized by prominent neuroinflammation and glial dysfunction. Frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis represent logical extension opportunities where similar mechanisms may contribute to pathogenesis. Disease-specific adaptations may require modified dosing regimens, combination partners, or delivery approaches tailored to distinct pathological environments and affected brain regions. Advanced research directions include the development of second-generation TREM2 modulators with improved pharmacological properties, including enhanced brain penetration, extended half-lives, and reduced immunogenicity risk. Bispecific antibodies targeting both TREM2 and astrocyte surface receptors could provide simultaneous modulation of both cell types within a single therapeutic agent. Additionally, the identification of endogenous TREM2 ligands and their therapeutic manipulation represents an alternative approach to receptor-targeted interventions, potentially offering more physiological activation patterns and reduced side effect profiles.” Framed more explicitly, the hypothesis centers TREM2 within the broader disease setting of neurodegeneration. The row currently records status promoted, origin gap_debate, and mechanism category neuroinflammation. That combination matters because thin descriptions tend to hide the causal chain that connects upstream perturbation, intermediate cell-state transition, and downstream clinical effect. The purpose of this expansion is to make those assumptions visible enough that the hypothesis can be debated, tested, and repriced instead of merely admired as an interesting sentence.
The decision-relevant question is whether modulating TREM2 or the surrounding pathway space around TREM2/TYROBP microglial signaling → astrocyte-microglia crosstalk disruption can redirect a disease process rather than merely decorate it with a biomarker change. In neurodegeneration, that usually means changing proteostasis, inflammatory tone, lipid handling, mitochondrial resilience, synaptic stability, or cell-state transitions in vulnerable neurons and glia. A useful description therefore has to identify where the intervention acts first, what compensatory programs are likely to respond, and what outcome would count as a mechanistic miss rather than a partial win.
SciDEX scoring currently records confidence 0.75, novelty 0.72, feasibility 0.68, impact 0.82, mechanistic plausibility 0.88, and clinical relevance 0.26.
Molecular and Cellular Rationale
The nominated target genes are TREM2 and the pathway label is TREM2/TYROBP microglial signaling → astrocyte-microglia crosstalk disruption. Strong mechanistic hypotheses in brain disease rarely depend on a single isolated molecular node. Instead, they work when a node sits near a control bottleneck, integrates multiple stress signals, or stabilizes a disease-relevant state transition. That is the standard this hypothesis should be held to. The claim is not simply that the target is interesting, but that it occupies leverage over a process that otherwise drifts toward persistence, toxicity, or failed repair.
Gene-expression context on the row adds an important constraint: TREM2 is predominantly expressed in microglia across all brain regions, with highest expression in the medial temporal lobe, hippocampus, and temporal cortex—regions most vulnerable to AD pathology. Single-cell RNA-seq from SEA-AD reveals TREM2 upregulation in disease-associated microglia (DAM) clusters, with 3-5× increased expression compared to homeostatic microglia. Age-dependent analysis shows progressive TREM2 upregulation from age 60+, correlating with amyloid plaque density. Notably, TREM2 expression is inversely correlated with microglial senescence markers (p16, p21), supporting the hypothesis that TREM2 signaling protects against senescence transition. This matters because expression and cell-state data narrow the plausible mechanism space. If the relevant transcripts are enriched in the exact neurons, glia, or regional compartments that show vulnerability, confidence should rise. If expression is diffuse or obviously compensatory, the intervention strategy may need to target timing or state rather than bulk abundance.
Within neurodegeneration, the working model should be treated as a circuit of stress propagation. Perturbation of TREM2 or TREM2/TYROBP microglial signaling → astrocyte-microglia crosstalk disruption is unlikely to matter in isolation. Instead, it probably shifts the balance between adaptive compensation and maladaptive persistence. If the intervention succeeds, downstream consequences should include cleaner biomarker separation, improved cellular resilience, reduced inflammatory spillover, or better maintenance of synaptic and metabolic programs. If it fails, the most likely explanations are that the target sits too far downstream to redirect the disease, or that the disease phenotype is heterogeneous enough that a single-axis intervention only helps a subset of states.
Evidence Supporting the Hypothesis
- Sleep deprivation exacerbates microglial reactivity and Aβ deposition in a TREM2-dependent manner in mice. Identifier 37099634. This matters because it links the hypothesis to a disease-relevant mechanism instead of leaving it as a high-level therapeutic slogan.
- Human and mouse single-nucleus transcriptomics reveal TREM2-dependent and TREM2-independent cellular responses in Alzheimer’s disease. Identifier 31932797. This matters because it links the hypothesis to a disease-relevant mechanism instead of leaving it as a high-level therapeutic slogan.
- TREM2 drives microglia response to amyloid-β via SYK-dependent and -independent pathways. Identifier 36306735. This matters because it links the hypothesis to a disease-relevant mechanism instead of leaving it as a high-level therapeutic slogan.
- TREM2 Maintains Microglial Metabolic Fitness in Alzheimer’s Disease. Identifier 28802038. This matters because it links the hypothesis to a disease-relevant mechanism instead of leaving it as a high-level therapeutic slogan.
- Explores genetic variations linked to neurodegenerative disease proteins, potentially supporting the TREM2-dependent senescence hypothesis. Identifier 41757182. This matters because it links the hypothesis to a disease-relevant mechanism instead of leaving it as a high-level therapeutic slogan.
- Investigates gene editing technologies for Alzheimer’s disease, which could relate to modulating TREM2 signaling in microglial aging. Identifier 41926312. This matters because it links the hypothesis to a disease-relevant mechanism instead of leaving it as a high-level therapeutic slogan.
Contradictory Evidence, Caveats, and Failure Modes
- Microglia-Mediated Neuroinflammation: A Potential Target for the Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases. Identifier 35642214. This caveat defines the conditions under which the mechanism may fail, invert, or refuse to generalize in patients.
- TREM2, microglia, and Alzheimer’s disease. Identifier 33516818. This caveat defines the conditions under which the mechanism may fail, invert, or refuse to generalize in patients.
- Microglia states and nomenclature: A field at its crossroads. Identifier 36327895. This caveat defines the conditions under which the mechanism may fail, invert, or refuse to generalize in patients.
- TREM2 deficiency attenuates neuroinflammation and protects against neurodegeneration in a mouse model of tauopathy. Identifier 29073081. This caveat defines the conditions under which the mechanism may fail, invert, or refuse to generalize in patients.
- Trem2 restrains the enhancement of tau accumulation and neurodegeneration by β-amyloid pathology. Identifier 33675684. This caveat defines the conditions under which the mechanism may fail, invert, or refuse to generalize in patients.
Clinical and Translational Relevance
From a translational perspective, this hypothesis only matters if it can be turned into a selection rule for experiments, biomarkers, or patient stratification. The row currently records market price 0.772, debate count 3, citations 1, predictions 1, and falsifiability flag 1. Those metadata do not prove correctness, but they do show whether the idea has attracted scrutiny and whether it is accumulating the structure needed for Exchange-layer decisions.
- Trial context: RECRUITING. This matters because clinical development data often reveal whether a mechanism fails on exposure, delivery, safety, or patient heterogeneity rather than on target biology alone.
- Trial context: COMPLETED. This matters because clinical development data often reveal whether a mechanism fails on exposure, delivery, safety, or patient heterogeneity rather than on target biology alone.
- Trial context: RECRUITING. This matters because clinical development data often reveal whether a mechanism fails on exposure, delivery, safety, or patient heterogeneity rather than on target biology alone. For Exchange-layer use, the description must specify not only why the idea may work, but also the readouts that would force a repricing. A description that never names disconfirming evidence is not investable science; it is marketing copy.
Experimental Predictions and Validation Strategy
First, the hypothesis should be decomposed into a perturbation experiment that directly manipulates TREM2 in a model matched to neurodegeneration. The key readout should include pathway markers, cell-state markers, and at least one phenotype that maps onto “TREM2-Mediated Astrocyte-Microglia Crosstalk in Neurodegeneration”. Second, the study design should include a rescue arm. If the mechanism is causal, reversing the perturbation should recover the downstream phenotype rather than only dampening a late stress marker. Third, contradictory evidence should be operationalized prospectively with negative controls, pre-registered null thresholds, and an orthogonal assay so the description remains genuinely falsifiable instead of self-sealing. Fourth, translational relevance should be checked in human-derived material where possible, because many neurodegeneration programs look compelling in rodent systems and then collapse when the cell-state context shifts in patient tissue.
Decision-Oriented Summary
In summary, the operational claim is that targeting TREM2 within the disease frame of neurodegeneration can produce a measurable change in mechanism rather than only a cosmetic change in a terminal biomarker. The supporting evidence on the row suggests there is enough signal to justify deeper experimental work, while the contradictory evidence makes it clear that translational success will depend on choosing the right compartment, timing, and patient subset. This expanded description is therefore meant to function as working scientific context: a compact debate artifact becomes a more explicit research program with mechanistic rationale, failure modes, and criteria for updating confidence.
Evidence for (35)
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.
A scalable human-zebrafish xenotransplantation model reveals gastrosome-mediated processing of dying neurons by human microglia.
Mapping the immune landscape of PCa: From tumor microenvironment to therapeutics.
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