[Neurodegenerative disease and TREM2]

Area of Science:

• Neuroimmunology
• Molecular Biology
• Neurodegenerative Diseases

Context:

• The triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-2 (TREM2) is crucial for microglial function in the central nervous system.
• TREM2 deficiency is linked to Nasu-Hakola disease, a chronic neurodegenerative condition.
• The precise role of TREM2 in human pathology and morphology remains incompletely understood.

Purpose:

• To review the multifaceted roles of TREM2 in neurodegeneration.
• To explore the implications of TREM2 variants in Alzheimer's disease across different ethnicities.
• To discuss TREM2's contribution to maintaining central nervous system microenvironmental homeostasis.

Summary:

• Absence of TREM2 in murine models impairs microglial phagocytosis and increases pro-inflammatory cytokine production.
• TREM2 variants have been associated with Alzheimer's disease in Caucasian populations, but findings are inconsistent in Asian populations.
• This review synthesizes current knowledge on TREM2's function in neurodegenerative disease pathogenesis.

Impact:

• Understanding TREM2's function is critical for developing therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Nasu-Hakola disease.
• Highlights the need for population-specific genetic studies to elucidate disease associations.
• Emphasizes the importance of TREM2 in microglial immune responses and tissue homeostasis within the brain.