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Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder seen in age-dependent dementia. There is currently no effective treatment for AD, which may be attributed in part to lack of a clear underlying mechanism. Studies within the last few decades provide growing evidence for a central role of amyloid β (Aβ) and tau, as well as glial contributions to various molecular and cellular pathways in AD pathogenesis. Herein, we review recent progress with respect to Aβ- and tau-associated mechanisms, and discuss glial dysfunction in AD with emphasis on neuronal and glial receptors that mediate Aβ-induced toxicity. We also discuss other critical factors that may affect AD pathogenesis, including genetics, aging, variables related to environment, lifestyle habits, and describe the potential role of apolipoprotein E (APOE), viral and bacterial infection, sleep, and microbiota. Although we have gained much towards understanding various aspects underlying this devastating neurodegenerative disorder, greater commitment towards research in molecular mechanism, diagnostics and treatment will be needed in future AD research.

Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) is a microglial surface receptor genetically linked to the risk for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). A proteolytic product, soluble TREM2 (sTREM2), is abundant in the cerebrospinal fluid and its levels positively correlate with neuronal injury markers. To gain insights into the pathological roles of sTREM2, we studied sTREM2 in the brain of 5xFAD mice, a model of AD, by direct stereotaxic injection of recombinant sTREM2 protein or by adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated expression. We found that sTREM2 reduces amyloid plaque load and rescues functional deficits of spatial memory and long-term potentiation. Importantly, sTREM2 enhances microglial proliferation, migration, clustering in the vicinity of amyloid plaques and the uptake and degradation of Aβ. Depletion of microglia abolishes the neuroprotective effects of sTREM2. Our study demonstrates a protective role of sTREM2 against amyloid pathology and related toxicity and suggests that increasing sTREM2 can be explored for AD therapy. TREM2 is a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, and soluble TREM2 (sTREM2) in the CSF correlates with AD progression. Here the authors study the role of sTREM2 in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease, and find it reduces amyloid accumulation and increases the numbers of plaque-associated microglia which correlates with improved behavioural function in the mice.

The ε4 allele of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene is the strongest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer disease (AD). Guojun Bu and colleagues describe the pathogenic links between Apo-E4 and neurodegeneration, including amyloid-β-dependent mechanisms and impairment of neurovascular function. The authors suggest potential strategies to target Apo-E, which could provide important additions to therapeutic options for AD. Apolipoprotein E (Apo-E) is a major cholesterol carrier that supports lipid transport and injury repair in the brain. APOE polymorphic alleles are the main genetic determinants of Alzheimer disease (AD) risk: individuals carrying the ε4 allele are at increased risk of AD compared with those carrying the more common ε3 allele, whereas the ε2 allele decreases risk. Presence of the APOE ε4 allele is also associated with increased risk of cerebral amyloid angiopathy and age-related cognitive decline during normal ageing. Apo-E–lipoproteins bind to several cell-surface receptors to deliver lipids, and also to hydrophobic amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide, which is thought to initiate toxic events that lead to synaptic dysfunction and neurodegeneration in AD. Apo-E isoforms differentially regulate Aβ aggregation and clearance in the brain, and have distinct functions in regulating brain lipid transport, glucose metabolism, neuronal signalling, neuroinflammation, and mitochondrial function. In this Review, we describe current knowledge on Apo-E in the CNS, with a particular emphasis on the clinical and pathological features associated with carriers of different Apo-E isoforms. We also discuss Aβ-dependent and Aβ-independent mechanisms that link Apo-E4 status with AD risk, and consider how to design effective strategies for AD therapy by targeting Apo-E. Key Points The ε4 allele of the apolipo protein E ( APOE ) gene is the main genetic risk factor for Alzheimer disease (AD) APOE ε4 carriers have enhanced AD pathology, accelerated age-dependent cognitive decline and worse memory performance than do noncarriers Numerous structural and functional brain changes associated with AD pathogenesis are detected in APOE ε4 carriers before clinical symptoms become evident Apo-E affects amyloid-β (Aβ) clearance, aggregation and deposition in an isoform-dependent manner Apo-E4 also contributes to AD pathogenesis by Aβ-independent mechanisms that involve synaptic plasticity, cholesterol homeostasis, neurovascular functions, and neuroinflammation Apo-E-targeted AD therapy should focus on restoration of the physiological function of Apo-E through increased expression and lipidation, and inhibition of the detrimental effects of Apo-E4

Cellular energy metabolism not only promotes tumor cell growth and metastasis but also directs immune cell survival, proliferation and the ability to perform specific and functional immune responses within the tumor microenvironment. A better understanding of the molecular regulation of metabolism in different cell components in the tumor-suppressive microenvironment is critical for the development of effective strategies for human cancer treatments. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have recently been recognized as critical factors involved in tumor pathogenesis, regulating both tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating innate and adaptive immune cells. However, little is known about the molecular crosstalk between TLR signaling and tumor or/and immune cell metabolism, although there is abundant expression of TLRs in these cells. In this review, we explore the functional role of TLR signaling in reprogramming cell metabolism in the tumor microenvironment. In particular, we discuss how malignant tumors regulate metabolism to support their growth and survival, summarize more recently identified metabolic profiles of different immune cell subsets and TLR-mediated regulation of cellular metabolism in both tumor and immune cells, and further explore potential strategies targeting cell metabolism for TLR-based cancer therapy. An improved understanding of these issues should open new avenues for the development of novel strategies via TLR-mediated metabolic reprogramming of the tumor microenvironment for cancer immunotherapy.

Hexanucleotide expansions in C9orf72, which encodes a predicted guanine exchange factor, are the most frequent genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Although repeat expansion has been established to generate toxic products, mRNAs encoding the C9ORF72 protein are also reduced in affected individuals. In this study, we tested how C9ORF72 protein levels affected repeat-mediated toxicity. In somatic transgenic mice expressing 66 GGGGCC repeats, inactivation of one or both endogenous C9orf72 alleles provoked or accelerated, respectively, early death. In mice expressing a C9orf72 transgene with 450 repeats that did not encode the C9ORF72 protein, inactivation of one or both endogenous C9orf72 alleles exacerbated cognitive deficits, hippocampal neuron loss, glial activation and accumulation of dipeptide-repeat proteins from translation of repeat-containing RNAs. Reduced C9ORF72 was shown to suppress repeat-mediated elevation in autophagy. These efforts support a disease mechanism in ALS/FTD resulting from reduced C9ORF72, which can lead to autophagy deficits, synergizing with repeat-dependent gain of toxicity.The most common genetic cause of ALS and frontal temporal dementia—hexanucleotide repeat expansion in C9orf72—is shown to provoke disease via synergy of gain of toxicity(ies) from repeat-encoded RNAs/dipeptide repeat proteins and reduction in the C9ORF72 protein.

Background Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) participate in tumor-elicited immunosuppression by dramatically blocking T-cell-induced antitumor responses, thereby influencing the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapies. Treatments that alter the differentiation and function of MDSCs can partially restore antitumor immune responses. The long noncoding RNA plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (lncRNA Pvt1) is a potential oncogene in a variety of cancer types. However, whether lncRNA Pvt1 is involved in the regulation of MDSCs has not been thoroughly elucidated to date. Methods MDSCs or granulocytic MDSCs (G-MDSCs) were isolated by microbeads and flow cytometry. Bone marrow derived G-MDSCs were induced by IL-6 and GM-CSF. The expression of lncRNA Pvt1 was measured by qRT-PCR. Specific siRNA was used to knockdown the expression of lncRNA Pvt1 in G-MDSCs. Results In this study, we found that knockdown of lncRNA Pvt1 significantly inhibited the immunosuppressive function of G-MDSCs in vitro. Additionally, lncRNA Pvt1 knockdown reduced the ability of G-MDSCs to delay tumor progression in tumor-bearing mice in vivo. Notably, lncRNA Pvt1 was upregulated by HIF-1α under hypoxia in G-MDSCs. Conclusions Taken together, our results demonstrate a critical role for lncRNA Pvt1 in regulating the immunosuppression activity of G-MDSCs, and lncRNA Pvt1 might thus be a potential antitumor immunotherapy target.

The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is one of the major protein degradation pathways, where abnormal UPS function has been observed in cancer and neurological diseases. Many neurodegenerative diseases share a common pathological feature, namely intracellular ubiquitin-positive inclusions formed by aggregate-prone neurotoxic proteins. This suggests that dysfunction of the UPS in neurodegenerative diseases contributes to the accumulation of neurotoxic proteins and to instigate neurodegeneration. Here, we review recent findings describing various aspects of UPS dysregulation in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease.

Background Macrophages are heterogenous phagocytic cells with an important role in the innate immunity. They are, also, significant contributors in the adaptive immune system. Macrophages are the most abundant immune cells in the lung during allergic asthma, which is the most common chronic respiratory disease of both adults and children. Macrophages activated by Th1 cells are known as M1 macrophages while those activated by IL-4 and IL-13 are called alternatively activated macrophages (AAM) or M2 cells. AAM are subdivided into four distinct subtypes (M2a, M2b, M2c and M2d), depending on the nature of inducing agent and the expressed markers. Body IL-4 is the major effector cytokine in both alternative activation of macrophages and pathogenesis of asthma. Thus, the role of M2a macrophages in asthma is a major concern. However, this is controversial. Therefore, further studies are required to improve our knowledge about the role of IL-4-induced macrophages in allergic asthma, through precisive elucidation of the roles of specific M2a proteins in the pathogenesis of asthma. In the current review, we try to illustrate the different functions of M2a macrophages (protective and pathogenic roles) in the pathogenesis of asthma, including explanation of how different M2a proteins and markers act during the pathogenesis of allergic asthma. These include surface markers, enzymes, secreted proteins, chemokines, cytokines, signal transduction proteins and transcription factors. Conclusions AAM is considered a double-edged sword in allergic asthma. Finally, we recommend further studies that focus on increased selective expression or suppression of protective and pathogenic M2a markers.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are important regulators of the complex interplay between immune system and breast cancer. TAMs fuel the cancer progression and metastasis by reprogramming their specific functional phenotype in cancer settings. Therefore, it is important to clarify the mechanisms of shaping specific functional phenotype of macrophages in tumor milieu. LncRNA profiles of TAMs were identified by LncRNA microarray. Flow cytometry was used to detect the surface markers of TAMs. The co-localization among lincRNA-p21, p53 and Mouse Double Minute 2 (MDM2) was identified by FISH probe and immunofluorescence. PyVT-MMTV and BALB/c mice were used for in vivo analysis. In the present work, we found that lincRNA-p21 significantly up-regulated in 4T1 educated macrophages. LincRNA-p21 knockdown facilitated macrophage polarization into pro-inflammatory M1 in tumor microenvironment, which might be caused by MDM2 eliciting proteasome-dependent degradation to p53 and activated NF-κB and STAT3 pathway. TAMs with lincRNA-p21 knockdown induced cancer cell apoptosis, inhibited tumor cell migration and invasion. In vivo, lincRNA-p21 knockdown macrophage adoptive transfer could alleviate breast cancer progression. Our results indicated that lincRNA-p21 was a key regulator of TAMs function in tumor milieu. Our data also shed a light on novel therapeutic targets of tumors characterized by monocytes/macrophages infiltration.