Last reviewed: June 1, 2026

2014Science Translational Medicine

Soluble TREM2 inhibits Tau seeding and progression of Alzheimer's disease

Kleinberger G, Yamanishi Y, Suárez-Calvet M, Czirr E, Lohmann E, Cuyvers E, et al.

Abstract summary

Identified TREM2 proteolytic shedding producing soluble TREM2 (sTREM2) in cerebrospinal fluid. Disease-causing mutations impair TREM2 shedding. Elevated sTREM2 in CSF is associated with Alzheimer's disease and FTD. This work established sTREM2 as a potential biomarker of microglial activity.

Evidence labels

human tissueproteomicsin vitro assay

Targets

Diseases

  • Alzheimer's disease
  • Frontotemporal dementia

Species

human, mouse

Methods

CSF proteomics, cell biology, flow cytometry

Therapeutic relevance

sTREM2 established as a microglial biomarker. TREM2 shedding modulation is a potential therapeutic avenue.

Last reviewed: June 1, 2026