Multidimensional Profiling of TREM2-Mutated or APOE4-mutated Microglia in Human Brain Organoids to Understand Dysregulated Microglia Neuronal Crosstalk in Alzheimer’s Disease

2024

Our research aims to understand and model how Alzheimer’s disease progresses in the brain. We’re doing this by creating tiny brain-like structures called brain organoids and adding immune cells, called microglia. Notably, some genetic mutations in microglia are known to be high genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. We’re focusing on studying these microglia to find new targets for potential treatments for Alzheimer’s. Our work emphasizes the important role of microglia, a type of immune cell in the brain, in developing Alzheimer’s. These cells are different from other immune cells in the brain and are crucial in brain function and development. Our recent study showed that combining microglia with brain organoids in a human setting allows us to study how these cells communicate with nerve cells. We plan to use our expertise to create brain organoid models with specific genetic changes in the microglia cells associated with Alzheimer’s. This will help us understand how communication between these cells and nerve cells is disrupted in the disease. We also aim to use advanced imaging techniques to study problems within microglial cells, such as abnormalities in certain parts of the cells, to better understand their role in Alzheimer’s disease. 


Funding to Date

$201,250

Focus

Studies of Innate Immune Pathology, Translational

Researchers

Florent Ginhoux, Ph.D.