Epigenetic changes in Alzheimer’s patients’ immune system

Scientists have revealed a significant link between Alzheimer’s disease and epigenetic alterations in the immune system

This discovery, posted in Neuron, will help to determine potential factors contributing to the development of Alzheimer’s and open up opportunities for therapeutic approaches. 

Led by David Gate, assistant professor of neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, the study looked into the immune system of Alzheimer’s patients. 

Unexpected findings 

The researchers found that the blood of these patients exhibited epigenetic changes, suggesting that external factors such as behaviour, environment or viral infections may play a crucial role in altering gene expression related to the disease. 

Gate’s team focused on the peripheral immune system, often overlooked in Alzheimer’s research. Traditional Alzheimer’s research concentrates on the brain’s central immune system; however, this study discovered epigenetic changes in every immune cell type in Alzheimer’s patients, suggesting a systemic alteration in immune function.

What were the implications of the study? 

One key finding of the study was the increased exposure of a receptor called CXCR3 on T cells in Alzheimer’s patients. 

This receptor acts like an antenna, allowing T cells to enter the brain in response to damage signals. Gate suggests that although these T cells may contribute to inflammation in the brain, their presence could also indicate an attempt to repair damage.

The study further revealed epigenetic changes in inflammatory proteins in white blood cells called monocytes, emphasising the significant alteration in immune function observed in Alzheimer’s patients.

Gate believes that environmental factors or infections throughout a person’s lifetime could induce these epigenetic changes, eventually influencing Alzheimer’s risk. These findings can deepen our understanding of the disease and offer potential therapeutic targets for intervention in the future. 

What does this mean for the future of Alzheimer’s patients? 

Moving forward, Gate and his team plan to conduct preclinical studies using in vitro culture systems and animal models to investigate these targets and their potential in Alzheimer’s treatment.

The study suggests that interventions targeting the peripheral immune system could hold promise in combating Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers are paving the way for more effective strategies to tackle this condition by revealing the connection between genetics, environment, and immune function.