Research

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and whole exon sequencing studies have demonstrated that several AD-risk polymorphisms affect molecules expressed in microglia, suggesting that microglial responses to AD pathology play a crucial role in the onset and/or progression of AD. In this regard, polymorphic variants of Paired Immunoglobulin-like Type 2 Receptor Alpha (PILRα) are associated with AD risk. PILRα is a cell surface receptor expressed on myeloid cells such as monocytes, neutrophils, and microglia in the central nervous system (CNS). PILRα contains a cytoplasmic immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM) that transmits intracellular inhibitory signals by recruiting the protein tyrosine phosphates SHP-1. The impact of PILRα-dependent signals in microglia and on AD pathology has not been studied. Based on these premises, we speculate that PILRα is expressed in microglia during AD and that PILRα polymorphisms associated with AD promote the onset and/or progression of AD by impairing microglia response to brain pathology.

Graduate Publications:

Last Updated: 1/23/2022 3:51:34 AM