Macrophage lineage cells-derived migrasomes activate complement-dependent blood-brain barrier damage in cerebral

Mengyan Hu1,2,3, Tiemei Li1, Xiaomeng Ma1

  • 1Department of Neurology, Mental and Neurological Disease Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, China.

PubMed

Insights

Macrophage-derived migrasomes carrying CD5L adhere to blood vessels in cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), triggering complement activation and blood-brain barrier damage. Complement inhibition offers protection, suggesting migrasomes are therapeutic targets.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) involves amyloid beta (Aβ) accumulation, damaging the blood-brain barrier (BBB).
  • Macrophages play a role in Aβ clearance and immune modulation.
  • Migrasomes are extracellular vesicles released by cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of macrophage-derived migrasomes in CAA pathogenesis.
  • To identify components within migrasomes that contribute to vascular damage.
  • To explore the link between migrasomes, complement activation, and BBB integrity in CAA.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of skin biopsy samples from CAA patients and brain tissue from CAA mouse models (Tg-SwDI/B and 5xFAD mice).
  • Characterization of macrophage-derived migrasomes and their interaction with blood vessels.
  • Assessment of CD5L content in migrasomes and its effect on complement activation.
  • Quantification of migrasome production and membrane attack complex (MAC) levels in relation to disease severity.
  • Evaluation of complement inhibitory treatment efficacy in a mouse model.

Main Results:

  • Aβ40-induced macrophage migrasomes were found to be sticky to blood vessels in CAA patients and mouse models.
  • CD5L was identified within these migrasomes and its enrichment impaired resistance to complement activation.
  • Increased migrasome production and MAC levels correlated with CAA disease severity.
  • Complement inhibition protected against migrasome-mediated BBB injury in Tg-SwDI/B mice.

Conclusions:

  • Macrophage-derived migrasomes contribute to BBB injury in CAA through complement activation.
  • CD5L within migrasomes plays a role in this process.
  • Migrasomes and complement activation represent potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for CAA.

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