Last reviewed: June 1, 2026
2016Cell
TREM2 sustains microglial expansion and plaque containment in Alzheimer's disease
Wang Y, Ulland TK, Ulrich JD, Song W, et al.
Abstract summary
Demonstrated that TREM2 deficiency impairs microglial proliferation and metabolic fitness in response to amyloid plaques. TREM2-deficient microglia fail to surround and compact plaques, leading to increased plaque-associated neuritic dystrophy. TREM2 was shown to drive the transition from homeostatic to disease-associated microglial states.
Evidence labels
animal modelsingle-cell RNA-seq
Targets
Diseases
- Alzheimer's disease
Species
mouse
Methods
flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, RNA-seq
Therapeutic relevance
Established that TREM2 activity supports protective microglial barrier function around amyloid plaques, the mechanistic basis for TREM2 agonist approaches.
Last reviewed: June 1, 2026