Microglial TREM2 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Manling Xie, Shunyi Zhao, Dale B. Bosco, Aivi Nguyen, Long Jun Wu

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is an aggressive motor neuron degenerative disease characterized by selective loss of both upper and lower motor neurons. The mechanisms underlying disease initiation and progression are poorly understood. The involvement of nonmotor neuraxis emphasizes the contribution of glial cells in disease progress. Microglia comprise a unique subset of glial cells and are the principal immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS). Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cell 2 (TREM2) is a surface receptor that, within the CNS, is exclusively expressed on microglia and plays crucial roles in microglial proliferation, migration, activation, metabolism, and phagocytosis. Genetic evidence has linked TREM2 to neurodegenerative diseases including ALS, but its function in ALS pathogenesis is largely unknown. In this review, we summarize how microglial activation, with a specific focus on TREM2 function, affects ALS progression clinically and experimentally. Understanding microglial TREM2 function will help pinpoint the molecular target for ALS treatment.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)125-137
Number of pages13
JournalDevelopmental Neurobiology
Volume82
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2022

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Developmental Neuroscience
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

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