Disease-associated astrocytes in Alzheimer's disease and aging

Nat Neurosci. 2020 Jun;23(6):701-706. doi: 10.1038/s41593-020-0624-8. Epub 2020 Apr 27.

Abstract

The role of non-neuronal cells in Alzheimer's disease progression has not been fully elucidated. Using single-nucleus RNA sequencing, we identified a population of disease-associated astrocytes in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model. These disease-associated astrocytes appeared at early disease stages and increased in abundance with disease progression. We discovered that similar astrocytes appeared in aged wild-type mice and in aging human brains, suggesting their linkage to genetic and age-related factors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging / pathology*
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology*
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / genetics
  • Animals
  • Astrocytes / pathology*
  • Brain / pathology*
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Hippocampus / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic

Substances

  • APP protein, human
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor