Many risk genes for the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are exclusively or highly expressed in myeloid cells. Microglia are dependent on colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) signaling for their survival. We designed and synthesized a highly selective brain-penetrant CSF1R inhibitor (PLX5622) allowing for extended and specific microglial elimination, preceding and during pathology development. We find that in the 5xFAD mouse model of AD, plaques fail to form in the parenchymal space following microglial depletion, except in areas containing surviving microglia. Instead, Aβ deposits in cortical blood vessels reminiscent of cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Altered gene expression in the 5xFAD hippocampus is also reversed by the absence of microglia. Transcriptional analyses of the residual plaque-forming microglia show they exhibit a disease-associated microglia profile. Collectively, we describe the structure, formulation, and efficacy of PLX5622, which allows for sustained microglial depletion and identify roles of microglia in initiating plaque pathogenesis.

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Sustained microglial depletion with CSF1R inhibitor impairs parenchymal plaque development in an Alzheimer's disease model.

Type I interferon (IFN) is a key cytokine that curbs viral infection and cell malignancy. Previously, we demonstrated a potent IFN immunogenicity of nucleic acid-containing (NA-containing) amyloid fibrils in the periphery. Here, we investigated whether IFN is associated with β-amyloidosis inside the brain and contributes to neuropathology. An IFN-stimulated gene (ISG) signature was detected in the brains of multiple murine Alzheimer disease (AD) models, a phenomenon also observed in WT mouse brain challenged with generic NA-containing amyloid fibrils. In vitro, microglia innately responded to NA-containing amyloid fibrils. In AD models, activated ISG-expressing microglia exclusively surrounded NA+ amyloid β plaques, which accumulated in an age-dependent manner. Brain administration of rIFN-β resulted in microglial activation and complement C3-dependent synapse elimination in vivo. Conversely, selective IFN receptor blockade effectively diminished the ongoing microgliosis and synapse loss in AD models. Moreover, we detected activated ISG-expressing microglia enveloping NA-containing neuritic plaques in postmortem brains of patients with AD. Gene expression interrogation revealed that IFN pathway was grossly upregulated in clinical AD and significantly correlated with disease severity and complement activation. Therefore, IFN constitutes a pivotal element within the neuroinflammatory network of AD and critically contributes to neuropathogenic processes.

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Type I interferon response drives neuroinflammation and synapse loss in Alzheimer disease

The predominant type of immune cell in the brain is the microglia, a type of tissue-resident macrophage. In a variety of neurodegenerative settings, microglia alter their transcriptional profile, morphology and function in similar ways; thus, these activated cells have been called 'degeneration- or disease-associated microglia' (DAM). These activated microglia can perform different functions and exert both positive effects and negative effects in different mouse disease models. In humans, mutations in genes expressed in microglia are linked to various neurodegenerative diseases. Here we provide an overview of the common microglial response to neurodegeneration and key contributing pathways; delineate the multifaceted functions of activated microglia spanning various diseases; and discuss insights from the study of human disease-associated genes. We argue that strong evidence from both mouse models and human genetics causally links the function of activated microglia to neurodegeneration.

The identity and function of microglia in neurodegeneration

Recent evidence suggests the commensal microbiome regulates host immunity and influences brain function; findings that have ramifications for neurodegenerative diseases. In the context of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), we previously reported that perturbations in microbial diversity induced by life-long combinatorial antibiotic (ABX) selection pressure in the APPSWE/PS1ΔE9 mouse model of amyloidosis is commensurate with reductions in amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque pathology and plaque-localised gliosis. Considering microbiota-host interactions, specifically during early post-natal development, are critical for immune- and neuro-development we now examine the impact of microbial community perturbations induced by acute ABX exposure exclusively during this period in APPSWE/PS1ΔE9 mice. We show that early post-natal (P) ABX treatment (P14-P21) results in long-term alterations of gut microbial genera (predominantly Lachnospiraceae and S24-7) and reduction in brain Aβ deposition in aged APPSWE/PS1ΔE9 mice. These mice exhibit elevated levels of blood- and brain-resident Foxp3+ T-regulatory cells and display an alteration in the inflammatory milieu of the serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Finally, we confirm that plaque-localised microglia and astrocytes are reduced in ABX-exposed mice. These findings suggest that ABX-induced microbial diversity perturbations during post-natal stages of development coincide with altered host immunity mechanisms and amyloidosis in a murine model of AD.

/pdf/antibiotic-induced-perturbations-in-microbial-diversity-58fbtfrbw4.pdf

Antibiotic-induced perturbations in microbial diversity during post-natal development alters amyloid pathology in an aged APP SWE /PS1 ΔE9 murine model of Alzheimer’s disease

Contribution of neuroinflammation and immunity to brain aging and the mitigating effects of physical and cognitive interventions

Past research in Alzheimer's disease (AD) has largely been driven by the amyloid hypothesis; the accompanying neuroinflammation seen in AD has been assumed to be consequential and not disease modifying or causative. However, recent data from both clinical and preclinical studies have established that the immune-driven neuroinflammation contributes to AD pathology. Key evidence for the involvement of neuroinflammation in AD includes enhanced microglial and astroglial activation in the brains of AD patients, increased pro-inflammatory cytokine burden in AD brains, and epidemiological evidence that chronic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use prior to disease onset leads to a lower incidence of AD. Identifying critical mediators controlling this neuroinflammation will prove beneficial in developing anti-inflammatory therapies for the treatment of AD. The type-I interferons (IFNs) are pleiotropic cytokines that control pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion and are master regulators of the innate immune response that impact on disorders of the central nervous system. This review provides evidence that the type-I IFNs play a critical role in the exacerbation of neuroinflammation and actively contribute to the progression of AD.

/pdf/type-i-interferon-pathway-in-neuroinflammation-and-13ydjfw3n1.pdf

Type-I interferon pathway in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration: focus on Alzheimer's disease.

A neuro-inflammatory response is evident in Alzheimer's disease (AD), yet the precise mechanisms by which neuro-inflammation influences the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) remain poorly understood. Type-1 interferons (IFNs) are master regulators of innate immunity and have been implicated in multiple CNS disorders, however their role in AD progression has not yet been fully investigated. Hence, we generated APPSWE/PS1ΔE9 mice lacking the type-1 IFN alpha receptor-1 (IFNAR1, APPSWE/PS1ΔE9 x IFNAR1(-/-)) aged to 9 months to investigate the role of type-1 IFN signaling in a well-validated model of AD. APPSWE/PS1ΔE9 x IFNAR1(-/-) mice displayed a modest reduction in Aβ monomer levels, despite maintenance of plaque deposition. This finding correlated with partial rescue of spatial learning and memory impairments in the Morris water maze in comparison to APPSWE/PS1ΔE9 mice. Q-PCR identified a reduced type-1 IFN response and modulated pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion in APPSWE/PS1ΔE9 x IFNAR1(-/-) mice compared to APPSWE/PS1ΔE9 mice. Interestingly, immunohistochemistry displayed enhanced astrocyte reactivity but attenuated microgliosis surrounding amyloid plaque deposits in APPSWE/PS1ΔE9 x IFNAR1(-/-) mice in comparison to APPSWE/PS1ΔE9 mice. These APPSWE/PS1ΔE9 x IFNAR1(-/-) microglial populations demonstrated an anti-inflammatory phenotype that was confirmed in vitro by soluble Aβ1-42 treatment of IFNAR1(-/-) primary glial cultures. Our findings suggest that modulating neuro-inflammatory responses by suppressing type-1 IFN signaling may provide therapeutic benefit in AD.

/pdf/deletion-of-the-type-1-interferon-receptor-in-appswe-ps1de9-5fm6xfw8oy.pdf

Deletion of the type-1 interferon receptor in APPSWE/PS1ΔE9 mice preserves cognitive function and alters glial phenotype.

First described clinically in 1906, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease and form of dementia worldwide. Despite its prevalence, only five therapies are currently approved for AD, all dealing with the symptoms rather than the underlying causes of the disease. A multitude of experimental evidence has suggested that the once thought inconsequential process of neuroinflammation does, in fact, contribute to the AD pathogenesis. One such CNS cell type critical to this process are microglia. Plastic in nature with varied roles, microglia are emerging as key contributors to AD pathology. This review will focus on the role of microglia in the neuroinflammatory response in AD, highlighting recent studies implicating aberrant changes in microglial function in disease progression. Of critical note is that with these advances, a reconceptualization of the framework in which we view microglia is required. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed section on Therapeutics for Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease: New Directions for Precision Medicine. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v176.18/issuetoc.

https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/bph.14546

The involvement of microglia in Alzheimer's disease: a new dog in the fight

Neuroinflammation and accompanying microglial dysfunction are now appreciated to be involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. Critical to the process of neuroinflammation are the type-I interferon (IFN) family of cytokines. Efforts to phenotypically characterize microglia within AD identify distinct populations associated with type-I IFN signalling, yet how this affects underlying microglial function is yet to be fully elucidated. Here we demonstrate that Aβ1-42 exposure increases bioactive levels of type-I IFN produced by primary microglia alongside increased expression of type-I IFN related genes. Primary microglia isolated from brains of APPswePS1ΔE9 mice with ablated type-I IFN signalling show an increased phagocytic ability to uptake FITC-Aβ1-42. Correlative assessment of plaque sizes in aged APPswePS1ΔE9 mice with abrogated type-I IFN signalling show unchanged deposition levels. Microglia from these mice did however show alterations in morphology. This data further highlights the role of type-I IFN signalling within microglia and identifies a role in phagocytosis. As such, targeting both microglial and global type-I IFN signalling presents as a novel therapeutic strategy for AD management.

/pdf/abrogation-of-type-i-interferon-signalling-alters-the-2dle9mvmi7.pdf

Abrogation of type-I interferon signalling alters the microglial response to Aβ1-42.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD; autism) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by deficits in social communication, and restricted and/or repetitive behaviours. While the precise pathophysiologies are unclear, increasing evidence supports a role for dysregulated neuroinflammation in the brain with potential effects on synapse function. Here, we studied characteristics of microglia and astrocytes in the Neuroligin-3 (NL3R451C) mouse model of autism since these cell types are involved in regulating both immune and synapse function. We observed increased microglial density in the dentate gyrus (DG) of NL3R451C mice without morphological differences. In contrast, WT and NL3R451C mice had similar astrocyte density but astrocyte branch length, the number of branch points, as well as cell radius and area were reduced in the DG of NL3R451C mice. Because retraction of astrocytic processes has been linked to altered synaptic transmission and dendrite formation, we assessed for regional changes in pre- and postsynaptic protein expression in the cortex, striatum and cerebellum in NL3R451C mice. NL3R451C mice showed increased striatal postsynaptic density 95 (PSD-95) protein levels and decreased cortical expression of synaptosomal-associated protein 25 (SNAP-25). These changes could contribute to dysregulated neurotransmission and cognition deficits previously reported in these mice.

/pdf/an-altered-glial-phenotype-in-the-nl3r451c-mouse-model-of-5r7cnrtean.pdf

Zachery Moore

Papers

Type-I interferon pathway in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration: focus on Alzheimer's disease.

Deletion of the type-1 interferon receptor in APPSWE/PS1ΔE9 mice preserves cognitive function and alters glial phenotype.

The involvement of microglia in Alzheimer's disease: a new dog in the fight

Abrogation of type-I interferon signalling alters the microglial response to Aβ1-42.

An altered glial phenotype in the NL3R451C mouse model of autism.