Is TREM2 a Stretch: Implications of TREM2 Along Spinal Cord Circuits in Health, Aging, Injury, and Disease

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Immunology

Background:

• Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells 2 (TREM2) is expressed by microglia in the CNS and other cells.
• TREM2 acts as a "double-edged sword," mediating context-dependent anti- or pro-inflammatory responses.
• TREM2's role in neurological diseases like neurodegeneration and injury is well-studied, but its function in motoneurons and sensory neurons is less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the involvement of TREM2 in the spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and muscles.
• To examine TREM2's role in sensory, motor, and autonomic functions during health, aging, disease, and injury.
• To discuss TREM2 as a potential therapeutic target for sensorimotor circuit damage.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on TREM2 in the central and peripheral nervous systems.
• Analysis of studies investigating TREM2's impact on sensorimotor functions.
• Evaluation of TREM2's therapeutic potential in neurological conditions.

Main Results:

• TREM2 influences inflammatory signaling in a context-dependent manner.
• Limited data exists on TREM2's specific roles in motoneurons and sensory neurons.
• TREM2 is implicated in various CNS pathologies and sensorimotor functions.

Conclusions:

• Further research is needed to fully elucidate TREM2's function in sensorimotor neurons.
• TREM2 presents a promising therapeutic avenue for addressing damage in sensorimotor circuits.
• Understanding TREM2's multifaceted roles is crucial for developing effective neurological treatments.