Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 21, 2025
Correlative Light and Electron Microscopy to Study Microglial Interactions with β-Amyloid Plaques
Published on: June 1, 2016
Microglial TREM2 at the Intersection of Brain Aging and Alzheimer's Disease
1Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Abstract:
As resident immune cells of the brain, microglia serve pivotal roles in regulating neuronal function under both physiological and pathological conditions, including aging and the most prevalent neurodegenerative disease, Alzheimer's disease (AD). Instructed by neurons, microglia regulate synaptic function and guard brain homeostasis throughout life. Dysregulation of microglial function, however, can lead to dire consequences, including aggravated cognitive decline during aging and exacerbated neuropathology in diseases. The triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) is a key regulator of microglial function. Loss-of-function variants of TREM2 are associated with an increased risk of AD. TREM2 orchestrates the switch of microglial transcriptome programming that modulates microglial chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and inflammatory responses, as well as microglial regulation of synaptic function in health and disease. Intriguingly, the outcome of microglial/TREM2 function is influenced by age and the context of neuropathology. This review summarizes the rapidly growing research on TREM2 under physiological conditions and in AD, particularly highlighting the impact of TREM2 on neuronal function.
Insights
Microglia, the brain's immune cells, are crucial for neuronal function and brain health. The TREM2 protein regulates microglial activity, and its dysfunction increases Alzheimer's disease risk.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Microglia are the brain's resident immune cells, essential for maintaining neural function and homeostasis.
- Dysfunctional microglia contribute to cognitive decline in aging and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease (AD).
- The triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) is a critical regulator of microglial function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of TREM2 in microglial function under physiological conditions.
- To examine the impact of TREM2 on Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis and neuronal function.
- To highlight how age and neuropathology influence TREM2-mediated microglial responses.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current research on TREM2 and microglia.
- Analysis of studies investigating TREM2 variants and AD risk.
- Synthesis of findings on TREM2's role in microglial chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and inflammation.
Main Results:
- TREM2 loss-of-function variants are linked to increased Alzheimer's disease risk.
- TREM2 regulates microglial transcriptome programming, affecting immune responses and synaptic function.
- Microglial function regulated by TREM2 is modulated by aging and disease context.
Conclusions:
- TREM2 is a key player in microglial responses relevant to brain health and disease.
- Understanding TREM2's role is crucial for developing therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer's disease.
- TREM2's impact on neuronal function in aging and AD warrants further investigation.
More Related Videos
10:40Immunofluorescence Staining Using IBA1 and TMEM119 for Microglial Density, Morphology and Peripheral Myeloid Cell Infiltration Analysis in Mouse Brain
Published on: October 27, 2019
04:22Author Spotlight: Exploring Sex-Specific Glial Signatures and Therapeutic Leads for Alzheimer's Disease
Published on: May 20, 2024
Related Concept Videos
01:26Alzheimer's Disease: Overview
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ...
01:22Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment