Microglia express TMEM119 in the brains of Nasu-Hakola disease
Jun-Ichi Satoh1, Yoshihiro Kino1, Motoaki Yanaizu1
1Department of Bioinformatics and Molecular Neuropathology, Meiji Pharmaceutical University, Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract:
We previously identified an evolutionarily conserved protein named transmembrane protein 119 (TMEM119) as the most reliable maker for human microglia. Recent studies showed that under homeostatic conditions, microglia intensely express TMEM119, whereas the expression levels are greatly reduced in disease-associated microglia (DAM) activated at the site of neurodegeneration. Nasu-Hakola disease (NHD) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder, pathologically characterized by leukoencephalopathy, astrogliosis, axonal spheroids, and accumulation of microglia. However, it remains unknown whether microglia are homeostatic or activated in NHD brains. In the present study, we identified TMEM119 on microglia in NHD brains by immunohistochemistry. TMEM119 was expressed on microglia in NHD brains as well as in the brains of non-neurological controls (NC) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, although TMEM119-immunolabeled areas exhibited great variability from case to case without significant differences among the study population. These results suggest that TMEM119 expression on microglia might play a key role in steady-state brain maintenance in NHD, AD and controls.
Insights
Transmembrane protein 119 (TMEM119) is a reliable marker for microglia. This study found TMEM119 expressed on microglia in Nasu-Hakola disease brains, suggesting a role in brain maintenance.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- Transmembrane protein 119 (TMEM119) is a specific marker for human microglia.
- TMEM119 is highly expressed in homeostatic microglia but reduced in disease-associated microglia (DAM).
- Nasu-Hakola disease (NHD) involves microglial accumulation, but their activation state is unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate TMEM119 expression on microglia in Nasu-Hakola disease (NHD) brains.
- To determine if microglia in NHD brains are homeostatic or activated.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to detect TMEM119 expression.
- NHD brains were compared with non-neurological controls (NC) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) patient brains.
Main Results:
- TMEM119 was identified on microglia in NHD brains.
- TMEM119 expression was also observed in NC and AD brains.
- Variability in TMEM119-immunolabeled areas was noted across cases, with no significant differences between groups.
Conclusions:
- TMEM119 is expressed on microglia in NHD brains, similar to controls and AD patients.
- These findings suggest TMEM119 expression on microglia may be crucial for steady-state brain maintenance in NHD, AD, and healthy individuals.
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