About this Research Topic
In recent years, advancements in neurodegenerative disease research have unveiled a pivotal role for myeloid cells, including microglia and border-associated macrophages. Together, the myeloid cells act as the brain's immune defense constantly surveilling the microenvironment and acting as immediate responders to various pathological stimuli. The emerging significance of myeloid cell populations in aging and disease stems from their involvement in both neuroprotection and neurotoxicity, depending on the disease stage and their interactions with neighboring cells in the central nervous system (CNS).
Human genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified many risk loci in genes specifically enriched in myeloid cells in several neurodegenerative diseases. Integration of disease risk factors with myeloid-specific epigenomic and transcriptomic datasets has identified causal regulatory elements and target genes in myeloid cells that could modulate disease susceptibility. Importantly, these genes are specifically enriched in microglial phagocytosis, endolysosomal function, and lipid metabolism. Microglial phagocytosis, the process by which microglia engulf and clear apoptotic cells, toxic protein aggregates, and cellular debris, has garnered substantial attention as it plays a critical role in tissue homeostasis and the resolution of inflammation. Phagocytic dysfunction has been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, contributing to the accumulation of toxic protein aggregates and impaired synaptic connectivity thereby directly contributing to disease progression. Moreover, emerging evidence suggests that microglia play a vital role in lipid metabolism within the brain, affecting the processing and clearance of lipids and lipoproteins, which can influence neurodegeneration. These findings have led to a great interest in targeting microglia and myeloid cells for the development of new therapeutic strategies for human neurodegenerative diseases.
Understanding the multifaceted functions of microglia and CNS myeloid cells, and their intricate interactions with neurons and other glial cell types is essential to unravel the complex and disease-stage-specific mechanisms operative in neurodegeneration. Addressing key questions surrounding the specific roles of microglia and myeloid cells in phagocytosis, lipid metabolism, modulation of disease progression, and their impact on neuronal survival and function is crucial to develop targeted therapeutic strategies.
The goal of this Research Topic is to provide a platform for researchers to share their latest findings on the roles of microglial phagocytosis, lipid metabolism, and the role of other CNS myeloid cells in neurodegenerative diseases. We welcome a diverse range of contributions, including original research articles, brief reports, and reviews exploring the molecular mechanisms, genetics, proteomics, and lipidomics of microglia and other CNS myeloid cells in the context of neurodegeneration. Additionally, studies investigating therapeutic interventions that target microglia and myeloid cellular function to ameliorate neurodegenerative processes are of great interest.
Human genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified many risk loci in genes specifically enriched in myeloid cells in several neurodegenerative diseases. Integration of disease risk factors with myeloid-specific epigenomic and transcriptomic datasets has identified causal regulatory elements and target genes in myeloid cells that could modulate disease susceptibility. Importantly, these genes are specifically enriched in microglial phagocytosis, endolysosomal function, and lipid metabolism. Microglial phagocytosis, the process by which microglia engulf and clear apoptotic cells, toxic protein aggregates, and cellular debris, has garnered substantial attention as it plays a critical role in tissue homeostasis and the resolution of inflammation. Phagocytic dysfunction has been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, contributing to the accumulation of toxic protein aggregates and impaired synaptic connectivity thereby directly contributing to disease progression. Moreover, emerging evidence suggests that microglia play a vital role in lipid metabolism within the brain, affecting the processing and clearance of lipids and lipoproteins, which can influence neurodegeneration. These findings have led to a great interest in targeting microglia and myeloid cells for the development of new therapeutic strategies for human neurodegenerative diseases.
Understanding the multifaceted functions of microglia and CNS myeloid cells, and their intricate interactions with neurons and other glial cell types is essential to unravel the complex and disease-stage-specific mechanisms operative in neurodegeneration. Addressing key questions surrounding the specific roles of microglia and myeloid cells in phagocytosis, lipid metabolism, modulation of disease progression, and their impact on neuronal survival and function is crucial to develop targeted therapeutic strategies.
The goal of this Research Topic is to provide a platform for researchers to share their latest findings on the roles of microglial phagocytosis, lipid metabolism, and the role of other CNS myeloid cells in neurodegenerative diseases. We welcome a diverse range of contributions, including original research articles, brief reports, and reviews exploring the molecular mechanisms, genetics, proteomics, and lipidomics of microglia and other CNS myeloid cells in the context of neurodegeneration. Additionally, studies investigating therapeutic interventions that target microglia and myeloid cellular function to ameliorate neurodegenerative processes are of great interest.
Keywords: Microglia, myeloid cells, phagocytosis, lipid metabolism, neurodegeneration, omics
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