The outcomes of this study suggest that targeting the cGAS-STING signaling pathway is a potential therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr. Xianlin Han is a professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Diabetes and an investigator with the Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies. Dr. Sijia He is an Assistant Professor/Research with the Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies.
Microglial cGAS Deletion Preserves Intercellular Communication and Alleviates Amyloid-β-Induced Pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease
Sijia He, Xin Li, Namrata Mittra, Anindita Bhattacharjee, Hu Wang, Shujie Song, Shangang Zhao, Feng Liu, Xianlin Han
Adv Sci (Weinh). 2025 Feb 5:e2410910. doi: 10.1002/advs.202410910. Online ahead of print.
Abstract:
Innate immune activation plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementias (ADRD). The cytosolic DNA sensing pathway, involving cGAMP synthase (cGAS) and Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING), has emerged as a key mediator of neurodegenerative diseases. However, the precise mechanisms through which cGAS activation influences AD progression remain poorly understood. In this study, we observed significant up-regulation of cGAS-STING signaling pathway in AD. Notably, this increase is primarily attributed to microglia, rather than non-microglial cell types. Using an inducible, microglia-specific cGAS knockout mouse model in the 5xFAD background, we demonstrated that deleting microglial cGAS at the onset of amyloid-β (Aβ) pathology profoundly restricts plaque accumulation and protects mice from Aβ-induced cognitive impairment. Mechanistically, our study revealed cGAS promotes plaque-associated microglia accumulation and is essential for inflammasome activation. Moreover, we showed that restricting cGAS-mediated innate immunity is crucial for preserving inter-cellular communication in the brain and induces pleiotrophin, a neuroprotective factor. These findings offer novel insights into the specific roles of the innate immune system in AD employing a cell-type-specific approach. The conclusions provide a foundation for targeted interventions to modulate the microglial cGAS-STING signaling pathway, offering promising therapeutic strategy for AD treatment.
Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; cGAS; innate immune; microglia.