Back to Search Start Over

Alzheimer's Disease: The Role of Microglia in Brain Homeostasis and Proteopathy

Authors :
Kevin A. Clayton
Alicia A. Van Enoo
Tsuneya Ikezu
Source :
Frontiers in Neuroscience, Vol 11 (2017)
Publication Year :
2017
Publisher :
Frontiers Media S.A., 2017.

Abstract

Brain aging is central to late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD), although the mechanisms by which it occurs at protein or cellular levels are not fully understood. Alzheimer's disease is the most common proteopathy and is characterized by two unique pathologies: senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, the former accumulating earlier than the latter. Aging alters the proteostasis of amyloid-β peptides and microtubule-associated protein tau, which are regulated in both autonomous and non-autonomous manners. Microglia, the resident phagocytes of the central nervous system, play a major role in the non-autonomous clearance of protein aggregates. Their function is significantly altered by aging and neurodegeneration. This is genetically supported by the association of microglia-specific genes, TREM2 and CD33, and late onset Alzheimer's disease. Here, we propose that the functional characterization of microglia, and their contribution to proteopathy, will lead to a new therapeutic direction in Alzheimer's disease research.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1662453X
Volume :
11
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Frontiers in Neuroscience
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.73b609984ce64bdf98216c86e2e67f97
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2017.00680