The <i>TREM2</i> H157Y Variant Influences Microglial Phagocytosis, Polarization, and Inflammatory Cytokine Release

Previously, we reported that H157Y, a rare coding variant on exon 3 of the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 gene (<i>TREM2</i>), was associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) risk in a Han Chinese population. To date, how this variant increases AD risk has remained unclear...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Xin-Xin Fu, Shuai-Yu Chen, Hui-Wen Lian, Yang Deng, Rui Duan, Ying-Dong Zhang, Teng Jiang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-04-01
Series:Brain Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/13/4/642
Description
Summary:Previously, we reported that H157Y, a rare coding variant on exon 3 of the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 gene (<i>TREM2</i>), was associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) risk in a Han Chinese population. To date, how this variant increases AD risk has remained unclear. In this study, using CRISPR-Cas9-engineered BV2 microglia, we tried to investigate the influence of the <i>Trem2</i> H157Y variant on AD-related microglial functions. For the first time, we revealed that the <i>Trem2</i> H157Y variant inhibits microglial phagocytosis of amyloid-β, promotes M1-type polarization of microglia, and facilitates microglial release of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α. These findings provide new insights into the cellular mechanisms by which the <i>TREM2</i> H157Y variant elevates the risk of AD.
ISSN:2076-3425