Neurodegenerative functions of microglia in Alzheimer's Disease

The brain's primary immune cells, microglia, are a leading causal cell type in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Yet, the mechanisms by which microglia can drive neurodegeneration remain unresolved. Ayata lab discovered that a conserved stress signaling pathway, the integrated stress response (ISR), characterizes a subset of microglia with neurodegenerative outcomes.

The Ayata lab's primary interest is in how microglia—the brain's primary macrophages—respond to misfolded protein aggregates, influencing susceptibility to neurological diseases. They combine novel mouse models, primary cell culture systems, and molecular techniques with state-of-the-art biotechnological tools to answer this question.

Creative Biolabs has invited Dr. Pinar Ayata to walk us through the neurodegenerative functions of microglia in AD.

In this webinar, we will explore and review the following key points:

• Autonomous activation of ISR in microglia
• The ISR activation promotes the secretion of toxic lipids by microglia
• Microglial ISR activation exacerbates neurodegenerative pathologies and synapse loss in AD models
• Pharmacological inhibition of ISR or lipid synthesis mitigates synapse loss in AD models