Dervis Salih, PhD, University College London, London, UK, discusses a new link discovered between microglial TREM2 and IL-4 signaling in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). There is current debate as to whether microglia have a positive or negative effect on AD, and TREM2 was investigated due to its protective effects against AD. TREM2 has multiple functions within the microglia, including regulating phagocytosis, releasing cytokines, and protective functions. By studying microglial functions under pro- and anti-inflammatory states, a novel link between TREM2 and IL-4 signaling in microglia was established, which can shed light into downstream TREM2 signaling. This interview took place during the Alzheimer’s Research UK (ARUK) Conference 2021.
