Multi-omic comparison of Alzheimer’s variants in human ESC-derived microglia reveals convergence at APOE [ATAC-seq]
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ABSTRACT: Variations in many genes linked to sporadic Alzheimer’s disease (AD), show abundant expression in microglia, however, relationships between these genes remain largely elusive. Here, we establish isogenic human ES-derived microglia-like cell lines (hMGLs) harboring AD variants in CD33, INPP5D, SORL1 and TREM2 loci, and curate a comprehensive atlas comprising ATACseq, ChIPseq, RNAseq and proteomics datasets. AD-like expression signatures are observed in AD mutant SORL1 and TREM2 hMGLs, while integrative multi-omic analysis of combined epigenetic and expression datasets indicates upregulation of APOE as a convergent pathogenic node. We also observe cross-regulatory relationships between SORL1 and TREM2, where SORL1R744X hMGLs induce TREM2 expression to enhance APOE expression. AD-associated SORL1 and TREM2 mutations also impaired hMGL Aβ uptake in an APOE-dependent manner in vitro, and attenuated Aβ uptake/clearance in mouse AD brain xenotransplants. Utilizing this modeling and analysis platform for human microglia, we provide new insight into epistatic interactions in AD genes and demonstrate convergence of microglial AD genes at the APOE locus.
Project description:Variations in many genes linked to sporadic Alzheimer’s disease (AD), show abundant expression in microglia, however, relationships between these genes remain largely elusive. Here, we establish isogenic human ES-derived microglia-like cell lines (hMGLs) harboring AD variants in CD33, INPP5D, SORL1 and TREM2 loci, and curate a comprehensive atlas comprising ATACseq, ChIPseq, RNAseq and proteomics datasets. AD-like expression signatures are observed in AD mutant SORL1 and TREM2 hMGLs, while integrative multi-omic analysis of combined epigenetic and expression datasets indicates upregulation of APOE as a convergent pathogenic node. We also observe cross-regulatory relationships between SORL1 and TREM2, where SORL1R744X hMGLs induce TREM2 expression to enhance APOE expression. AD-associated SORL1 and TREM2 mutations also impaired hMGL Aβ uptake in an APOE-dependent manner in vitro, and attenuated Aβ uptake/clearance in mouse AD brain xenotransplants. Utilizing this modeling and analysis platform for human microglia, we provide new insight into epistatic interactions in AD genes and demonstrate convergence of microglial AD genes at the APOE locus.
Project description:Variations in many genes linked to sporadic Alzheimer’s disease (AD), show abundant expression in microglia, however, relationships between these genes remain largely elusive. Here, we establish isogenic human ES-derived microglia-like cell lines (hMGLs) harboring AD variants in CD33, INPP5D, SORL1 and TREM2 loci, and curate a comprehensive atlas comprising ATACseq, ChIPseq, RNAseq and proteomics datasets. AD-like expression signatures are observed in AD mutant SORL1 and TREM2 hMGLs, while integrative multi-omic analysis of combined epigenetic and expression datasets indicates upregulation of APOE as a convergent pathogenic node. We also observe cross-regulatory relationships between SORL1 and TREM2, where SORL1R744X hMGLs induce TREM2 expression to enhance APOE expression. AD-associated SORL1 and TREM2 mutations also impaired hMGL Aβ uptake in an APOE-dependent manner in vitro, and attenuated Aβ uptake/clearance in mouse AD brain xenotransplants. Utilizing this modeling and analysis platform for human microglia, we provide new insight into epistatic interactions in AD genes and demonstrate convergence of microglial AD genes at the APOE locus.
Project description:Variations in many genes linked to sporadic Alzheimers disease (AD), show abundant expression in microglia, however, relationships between these genes remain largely elusive. Here, we establish isogenic human ES-derived microglia-like cell lines (hMGLs) harboring AD variants in CD33, INPP5D, SORL1 and TREM2 loci, and curate a comprehensive atlas comprising ATACseq, ChIPseq, RNAseq and proteomics datasets. AD-like expression signatures are observed in AD mutant SORL1 and TREM2 hMGLs, while integrative multi-omic analysis of combined epigenetic and expression datasets indicates upregulation of APOE as a convergent pathogenic node. We also observe cross-regulatory relationships between SORL1 and TREM2, where SORL1R744X hMGLs induce TREM2 expression to enhance APOE expression. AD-associated SORL1 and TREM2 mutations also impaired hMGL A-beta uptake in an APOE-dependent manner in vitro, and attenuated A-beta uptake/clearance in mouse AD brain xenotransplants. Utilizing this modeling and analysis platform for human microglia, we provide new insight into epistatic interactions in AD genes and demonstrate convergence of microglial AD genes at the APOE locus
Project description:Apolipoprotein E4 (APOE) is the strongest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our lipidomic analysis identified a common phospholipid signature with a high level of correlation between APOEε3/3 and APOEε4/4 AD postmortem brain samples and native lipoproteins isolated from astrocyte conditioned media of mice expressing human APOE3 or APOE4. Behavioral testing demonstrated that native E3 lipoproteins were more effective than E4 at ameliorating the harmful effects of Aβ on cognition. We posit that APOE isoform-specific differences in the phospholipid composition of native lipoproteins prompt a differential microglial response. Using time-lapse in vivo two-photon imaging, we compared the effect of E3 or E4 infused with Aβ and determined that E3 lipoproteins induced a faster microglial migration towards Aβ. To determine how E3 and E4 lipoproteins affect microglial transcriptome in response to Aβ, we performed bulk and single cell RNA-seq of WT and Trem2ko mice. We show that compared to E4, cortical infusion of E3 lipoproteins upregulated a higher proportion of genes associated with an activated immune response accompanied by a downregulation of homeostatic genes. scRNA-seq identified microglia-specific clusters affected by Trem2 deficiency, suggesting that lack of Trem2 impairs the transition of microglia from homeostatic to an activated state. Compared to E3, E4-expressing microglia showed a reduced Aβ uptake that was additionally aggravated by Trem2 deficiency. Together, our findings have elucidated unique phenotypic and transcriptional differences in the microglial response to Aβ in the presence of E3 or E4 lipoproteins which could impact AD pathogenesis.
Project description:In addition to tau and Aβ pathologies, inflammation plays an important role in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Variants in APOE and TREM2 increase AD risk. ApoE4 exacerbates tau-linked neurodegeneration and inflammation in P301S tau mice and removal of microglia blocks tau-dependent neurodegeneration. Microglia adopt a heterogeneous population of transcriptomic states in response to pathology, at least some of which are dependent on TREM2. Previously, we reported that knockout (KO) of TREM2 attenuated neurodegeneration in P301S mice that express mouse Apoe. Because of the possible common pathway of ApoE and TREM2 in AD, we tested whether TREM2 KO (T2KO) would block neurodegeneration in P301S Tau mice expressing ApoE4 (TE4), similar to that observed with microglial depletion. Surprisingly, we observed exacerbated neurodegeneration and tau pathology in TE4-T2KO versus TE4 mice, despite decreased TREM2-dependent microgliosis. Our results suggest that tau pathology-dependent microgliosis, that is, TREM2-independent microgliosis, facilitates tau-mediated neurodegeneration in the presence of ApoE4.
Project description:We aim to investigate the interaction between two of the major genetic risk factors for AD: inheritance of APOEε4 and deficiency of Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid cells 2 (TREM2). Trem2 deletion worsened memory in AD model mice but not in their WT littermates. Interestingly, the lack Trem2 resulted in a significantly less microglia around amyloid plaques in APP mice expressing both APOE isoforms but had no impact on amyloid load. Gene expression analysis identified as Trem2 signature a cluster of highly connected immune response genes, commonly downregulated as a result of Trem2 deletion in all experimental groups, such as Clec7a, Itgax, Cts7, Mpeg1, Csf1r, Cx3cr1, Pik3cg and Spi1/PU.1. In vitro experiments with primary microglia demonstrated a decrease of Aβ phagocytosis in APOE4 versus APOE3 microglia a difference that was augmented by the absence of Trem2. Our data demonstrate that the lack of Trem2 differentially impact the phenotype and brain transcriptome of APP mice expressing human APOE isoforms probably reflecting the difference between APOE isoforms to transport lipids that can affect APOE receptor-binding properties.
Project description:Genetic studies have highlighted microglia as pivotal in orchestrating Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Microglia that adhere to Aβ plaques acquire a transcriptional signature, “diseaseassociated microglia” (DAM), which largely emanates from the TREM2-DAP12 receptor complex that transmits intracellular signals through the protein tyrosine kinase SYK. The human TREM2R47H variant associated with high AD risk fails to activate microglia via SYK. We found that SYK-deficient microglia cannot encase Aβ plaques, accelerating brain pathology and behavioral deficits. SYK deficiency impaired the PI3K-AKT-GSK3β-mTOR pathway, incapacitating anabolic support required for attaining the DAM profile. However, SYK-deficient microglia proliferated and advanced to an Apoe-expressing prodromal stage of DAM; this pathway relied on the adaptor DAP10, which also binds TREM2. Thus, microglial responses to Aβ involve non-redundant SYK- and DAP10-pathways. Systemic administration of an antibody against CLEC7A, a receptor that directly activates SYK, rescued microglia activation in mice expressing the TREM2R47H allele, unveiling new options for AD immunotherapy.
Project description:Genetic studies have highlighted microglia as pivotal in orchestrating Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Microglia that adhere to Aβ plaques acquire a transcriptional signature, “diseaseassociated microglia” (DAM), which largely emanates from the TREM2-DAP12 receptor complex that transmits intracellular signals through the protein tyrosine kinase SYK. The human TREM2R47H variant associated with high AD risk fails to activate microglia via SYK. We found that SYK-deficient microglia cannot encase Aβ plaques, accelerating brain pathology and behavioral deficits. SYK deficiency impaired the PI3K-AKT-GSK3β-mTOR pathway, incapacitating anabolic support required for attaining the DAM profile. However, SYK-deficient microglia proliferated and advanced to an Apoe-expressing prodromal stage of DAM; this pathway relied on the adaptor DAP10, which also binds TREM2. Thus, microglial responses to Aβ involve non-redundant SYK- and DAP10-pathways. Systemic administration of an antibody against CLEC7A, a receptor that directly activates SYK, rescued microglia activation in mice expressing the TREM2R47H allele, unveiling new options for AD immunotherapy.
Project description:Alzheimer’s disease (AD) therapies utilizing amyloid-β (Aβ) immunization have shown potential in clinical trials. Yet, the mechanisms driving Aβ clearance in the immunized AD brain remain unclear. Here, we use spatial transcriptomics to explore the effects of both active and passive Aβ immunization in the AD brain. We compare actively immunized AD patients with nonimmunized AD patients and neurologically healthy controls, identifying distinct microglial states associated with Aβ clearance. Using high-resolution spatial transcriptomics alongside single-cell RNA sequencing, we delve deeper into the transcriptional pathways involved in Aβ removal after lecanemab treatment. We uncover spatially distinct microglial responses that vary by brain region. Our analysis reveals upregulation of the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) and apolipoprotein E (APOE) in microglia across immunization approaches, which correlate positively with antibody responses and Aβ removal. Furthermore, we show that complement signaling in brain myeloid cells contributes to Aβ clearance after immunization. These findings provide new insights into the transcriptional mechanisms orchestrating Aβ removal and shed light on the role of microglia in immune-mediated Aβ clearance. Importantly, our work uncovers potential molecular targets that could enhance Aβ-targeted immunotherapies, offering new avenues for developing more effective therapeutic strategies to combat AD.
Project description:Alzheimer’s disease (AD) therapies utilizing amyloid-β (Aβ) immunization have shown potential in clinical trials. Yet, the mechanisms driving Aβ clearance in the immunized AD brain remain unclear. Here, we use spatial transcriptomics to explore the effects of both active and passive Aβ immunization in the AD brain. We compare actively immunized AD patients with nonimmunized AD patients and neurologically healthy controls, identifying distinct microglial states associated with Aβ clearance. Using high-resolution spatial transcriptomics alongside single-cell RNA sequencing, we delve deeper into the transcriptional pathways involved in Aβ removal after lecanemab treatment. We uncover spatially distinct microglial responses that vary by brain region. Our analysis reveals upregulation of the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) and apolipoprotein E (APOE) in microglia across immunization approaches, which correlate positively with antibody responses and Aβ removal. Furthermore, we show that complement signaling in brain myeloid cells contributes to Aβ clearance after immunization. These findings provide new insights into the transcriptional mechanisms orchestrating Aβ removal and shed light on the role of microglia in immune-mediated Aβ clearance. Importantly, our work uncovers potential molecular targets that could enhance Aβ-targeted immunotherapies, offering new avenues for developing more effective therapeutic strategies to combat AD.