Neuroimmunology articles from across Nature Portfolio

Yin et al. identify miR-155–IFN-γ signaling that regulates a protective microglial subset in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. These microglia enhance plaque compaction, reduce dystrophic neurites and synaptic degradation, and improve cognition.

An upstream start codon in the 5’UTR of TREM2 specific to some primates and humans initiates translation of an elongated TREM2 isoform and is involved in repressing translation of the conventional TREM2 from the downstream start codon.

Akassoglou and colleagues provide a single-cell RNA sequencing and phosphoprotein analysis of the responses of central nervous system microglia and macrophages to blood proteins including activated complement and fibrin. Their findings point to potential therapeutic targeting of microglia activation by immune and vascular signals.

Vasek et al. demonstrate that distal processes of microglia locally translate specific mRNAs including those related to immunity and phagocytosis. They then show that local protein synthesis is necessary for microglial process-initiated phagocytosis.

Microglia are detected in active lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS) and research in animal models has suggested diverse roles for these cells in neural damage and repair. Gosselin and colleagues discuss the mechanisms through which microglia contribute to neuropathology and the molecular mechanisms that regulate their function in demyelinating conditions.