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Distinct Transposable Element Transcript Patterns in Microglia Across Aging and Alzheimer's Disease
Randy A Grant1,2,3, Rachel L Doser1,2,3, Thomas J LaRocca1,2,3
1Department of Health & Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
Microglia, brain immune cells, show stable transposable element (TE) transcripts with aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD), unlike other brain cells. TE levels inversely correlate with autophagy, suggesting a unique role in brain health.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Genomics
Background:
- Microglia, the brain's immune cells, become chronically activated during aging and disease.
- Dysregulation of transposable elements (TEs) is linked to brain aging and neuroinflammation.
- Limited data exists on microglial TE transcript patterns in aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate microglial transposable element (TE) transcript patterns across aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD).
- To compare microglial TE expression with whole-brain tissue and other cell types.
- To explore the relationship between TE transcripts and autophagy in microglia.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of multiple RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) datasets from human and mouse microglia.
- Comparison of TE transcript levels in microglia from young, aged, and AD individuals/models.
- In vitro studies on cultured human microglia exposed to aging/AD stimuli and autophagy modulators.
Main Results:
- Microglial TE transcript levels remained stable throughout most of the human lifespan, increasing only in late life.
- TE transcript levels in microglia from AD patients showed minimal changes compared to controls.
- Pathology-associated TE transcript levels decreased in AD mouse models.
- Inverse association found between TE transcript levels and autophagy/lysosome gene expression.
- In vitro studies demonstrated modulation of TE transcripts by aging/AD stimuli and autophagy inhibition.
Conclusions:
- Microglial TE transcript dynamics differ significantly from whole-brain samples and other cell types in aging and AD.
- TE transcript levels in microglia are relatively stable during aging and AD, contrasting with broader brain changes.
- Autophagy pathways may play a role in regulating microglial TE expression in the context of aging and AD.
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