Genetic variants of phospholipase C-γ2 alter the phenotype and function of microglia and confer differential risk for Alzheimer’s disease

Sep 2, 2023Immunity

Genetic differences in a key enzyme change brain immune cells and may affect Alzheimer's disease risk

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Abstract

A loss-of-function variant of PLCG2 is associated with increased Alzheimer's disease risk.

  • PLCG2 is selectively expressed by microglia and plays a role in immune receptor signaling.
  • In Alzheimer's disease, PLCG2 is uniquely induced in microglia associated with plaques.
  • A genetic variant of PLCG2 that enhances function may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
  • In a mouse model of Alzheimer's, the loss-of-function PLCG2 variant increased plaque burden and affected the clearance of amyloid-beta.
  • Distinct transcriptional programs were identified in microglial subpopulations linked to protective or harmful responses in Alzheimer's disease.

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