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Correlative Light and Electron Microscopy to Study Microglial Interactions with β-Amyloid Plaques
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Spatial heterogeneity in microglia-complement crosstalk: Implications for synaptic pruning in Alzheimer's disease

Qiuyan Ye1, Wei Gao2, Jiaping Feng3

  • 1Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.

Alzheimer'S & Dementia : the Journal of the Alzheimer'S Association
|February 5, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Microglia and complement interactions drive synaptic loss in Alzheimer's disease (AD), showing regional differences. Combining Western and traditional Chinese medicine may offer new treatments for synaptic pruning.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by early-stage synaptic loss.
  • Microglia-complement interactions are central to synaptic pruning, a key pathological feature in AD.
  • These interactions display significant spatial heterogeneity in AD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the synergistic mechanisms of microglia and complement in physiological synaptic pruning.
  • To analyze the evolution of the complement-immune network in AD progression.
  • To explore genetic factors amplifying spatial heterogeneity in synaptic pruning.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature review.
  • Analysis of microglia-complement interactions in synaptic pruning.
  • Exploration of genetic influences on synaptic pruning heterogeneity.

Main Results:

  • Microglia and complement systems play a synergistic role in synaptic pruning.
  • The complement-immune network dynamically evolves during AD progression.
  • Genetic factors amplify spatial heterogeneity in synaptic pruning.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding microglia-complement interactions is crucial for AD research.
  • Targeting synaptic pruning offers therapeutic potential for AD.
  • Combined Western and traditional Chinese medicine approaches may be beneficial for AD treatment.
Keywords:
Alzheimer's diseasecomplementmicrogliaspatial heterogeneitysynaptic pruning

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