Cited by 142Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration MechanismsAlzheimer's disease research and treatmentsPhagocytosis and Immune Regulation

Microglia become hypofunctional and release metalloproteases and tau seeds when phagocytosing live neurons with P301S tau aggregates

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Brelstaff, Jack H., Mason, Matthew, Katsinelos, Taxiarchis, McEwan, William A., Ghetti, Bernardino, Tolkovsky, Aviva M., Spillantini, Maria Grazia·2021·Science Advances

Abstract

Microglia change their behavior when eating live neurons containing tau protein aggregates, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.

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Crossref · 10.1126/sciadv.abg4980

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62 of 62 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • The activation of microglia by protein aggregates creates a feed-forward vicious cycle that aggravates neurodegeneration as activated microglia contribute to the propagation of tau, Aβ, α-synuclein, and TDP-43 into unaffected brain regions.

    “Ultimately, the activation of microglia by these protein aggregates creates a feed-forward vicious cycle that aggravates neurodegeneration as activated microglia contribute to the propagation of tau, Aβ, α-synuclein, and TDP-43 into unaffected brain regions.159–164”
  • Sustained reactive or senescent microglia become hypofunctional and release seed-competent tau, leading to exacerbated spread of tau pathology.

    “In addition, sustained reactive or senescent microglia become hypofunctional and release seed-competent tau, leading to the exacerbated spread of tau pathology [190].”

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Authors
Brelstaff, J. H., Mason, M., Katsinelos, T., McEwan, W. A., Ghetti, B., Tolkovsky, A. M., & Spillantini, M. G.
Affiliations
  • University of Cambridge (GB)
  • Indiana University Indianapolis (US)
Corresponding author
  • Tolkovsky, Aviva M.
  • Spillantini, Maria Grazia
Venue
Science Advances
Published
2021-10-22
Volume
7
Issue
43
Pages
eabg4980-eabg4980
ISSN
2375-2548 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3207250626
Cited by
135
References
62
Citations by year
2026: 18 · 2025: 24 · 2024: 39 · 2023: 26 · 2022: 26 · 2021: 2
FWCI
10.01
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Science Advances (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • IUScholarWorks (Indiana University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Apollo (University of Cambridge) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Apollo (cc-by)
Funders
  • Eli Lilly and Company
  • Wellcome Trust (Z/17/Z, 206248/Z/17/Z)
  • European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations
  • Alzheimer's Society (384_AS-PG-17-026)
  • National Institute for Health and Care Research
  • European Commission
  • National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC/L000741/1)
  • National Centre for the Replacement Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC/L000741/1)
  • National Institutes of Health
  • School of Medicine, Indiana University
  • Medical Research Council
  • Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
  • NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre
  • National Institute on Aging (P30AG010133, P30AG072976)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Alzheimer's disease research and treatments
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Phagocytosis and Immune Regulation
Keywords
microglia, tau aggregates, phagocytosis, tau seeding, matrix metalloproteinase-3, stromelysin-1, NF-κB signaling, senescence-associated secretory phenotype, phosphatidylserine, neuroinflammation, tauopathy, neurodegeneration

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