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Publications

Journal Article Review Ppublish

PubMed: 40113535 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2025.02.011

Decoding microglial functions in Alzheimer's disease: insights from human models.

Trends Immunol 46(4):310-323

Authors: Chandrika Rao, Stefan Semrau, Valentina Fossati

Affiliations

  • The New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute, New York, NY, USA.
  • The New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute, New York, NY, USA.

Abstract

Microglia, key orchestrators of the brain's immune responses, play a pivotal role in the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Emerging human models, including stem cell-derived microglia and cerebral organoids, are transforming our understanding of microglial contributions to AD pathology. In this review, we highlight how these models have uncovered human-specific microglial responses to amyloid plaques and their regulation of neuroinflammation, which are not recapitulated in animal models. We also illustrate how advanced human models that better mimic brain physiology and AD pathology are providing unprecedented insights into the multifaceted roles of microglia. These innovative approaches, combined with sophisticated technologies for cell editing and analysis, are shaping AD research and opening new avenues for therapeutic interventions targeting microglia.

MeSH

Microglia, Cells, Alzheimer Disease, Brain, Pathology, Immunity

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