Microglia-specific regulation of lipid metabolism in Alzheimer’s disease revealed by microglial depletion in 5xFAD Mice

Ziying Xu, Sepideh Kiani Shabestari, Savannah Barannikov, Kevin F. Bieniek, Mathew Blurton-Jones, Juan Pablo Palavicini () and Xianlin Han ()
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Ziying Xu: University of Texas Health Science Center
Sepideh Kiani Shabestari: University of California - Irvine
Savannah Barannikov: University of Texas Health Science Center
Kevin F. Bieniek: University of Texas Health Science Center
Mathew Blurton-Jones: University of California - Irvine
Juan Pablo Palavicini: University of Texas Health Science Center
Xianlin Han: University of Texas Health Science Center

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-16

Abstract: Abstract Abnormal lipid metabolism is observed in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but its contribution to disease progression remains unclear. Genetic studies indicate that microglia, the brain’s resident immune cells, influence lipid processing during AD. Here, we show that microglia—the brain’s resident immune cells—selectively regulate lipid accumulation that associated with disease pathology in both AD mouse models and human postmortem brains. Using lipidomics and histological analysis, we identify a striking buildup of arachidonic acid–containing bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate in response to amyloid plaques, which depends on microglial activity and the AD risk gene GRN. In contrast, lysophosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylethanolamine accumulate independently of microglia, correlating instead with astrocyte activation and oxidative stress. These results connect dysregulated lipid metabolism in AD to distinct brain cell types and molecular pathways. Our findings highlight microglial lipid homeostasis as a potential therapeutic target for modifying disease progression in AD.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-64161-z

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