Last reviewed: June 1, 2026

2016Neuron

TREM2 is a receptor that senses amyloid-beta plaques and lipid bilayers

Yeh FL, Wang Y, Tom I, et al.

Abstract summary

Showed that TREM2 binds to ApoE and other lipoproteins as well as amyloid-beta plaques. TREM2 engagement with lipid-associated ligands promotes microglial migration toward and clustering around amyloid plaques. This ligand promiscuity places TREM2 at the interface of lipid sensing and amyloid clearance.

Evidence labels

human tissuein vitro assayanimal model

Targets

Diseases

  • Alzheimer's disease

Species

human, mouse

Methods

binding assays, microscopy, flow cytometry

Therapeutic relevance

Identifies lipid-associated lipoprotein binding as a key TREM2 activation mechanism relevant to therapeutic agonist design.

Last reviewed: June 1, 2026