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ICAM-1 mediated inhibition of microglial inflammation through ERK/STAT3 signalling pathway improves cognitive functions in 5xFAD mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

delete2026-05-01
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PRE
AI
G
Goswami, Soumita
G
Gorai, Nimai
S
Subhas C. Biswas *
DOI:10.1111/febs.70531delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Microgliosis is one of the early hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) that plays a crucial role in disease pathogenesis. Microglia play a defensive role by phagocytosing and clearing amyloid-beta (A beta) aggregates. However, excessive uptake of A beta leads to impairment of its clearing ability, which results in neuroinflammation and eventually neurodegeneration. Thus, enhancing microglial phagocytosis and reducing its pro-inflammatory functions are promising strategies for AD therapy. However, harnessing microglial activation for long-term benefits in controlling disease pathogenesis in AD is currently lacking. Our recent findings revealed that the astrocyte secreted cytokine Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) improves memory and cognitive impairments in a 5xFAD mouse model of AD. Here, we investigated the involvement of microglia in ICAM-1 function since its receptor, LFA-1, is expressed in microglia. We found that ICAM-1 blocks A beta-mediated microglial inflammatory activation by inhibiting the ERK-STAT3 pathway, which is indispensable for microglial inflammation. Further, we found that ICAM-1 potentiates microglial phagocytic ability to eliminate A beta in primary culture. Additionally, ICAM-1 reduced A beta plaque load and associated microglial reactivation in the 5xFAD mouse hippocampus. This reduction in plaque-associated microgliosis led to improved synaptic protein expressions which was reflected in significant cognitive improvement. Moreover, blocking the binding between ICAM-1 with its receptor LFA-1 partially reduced ICAM-1-mediated microglial modification. Collectively, these findings suggest that ICAM-1 plays a pivotal role in modifying microglial phagocytic and inflammatory functions via the ERK-STAT3 signalling pathway, thereby contributing to A beta clearance and cognitive improvements.
Keywords:
cognitive improvement
intercellular adhesion molecule 1
Microgliosis
neuroinflammation
phagocytosis

Journal

FEBS Journal cover
FEBS Journal
IF:
4.2
Papers:
9.0K
Citations:
2.6W

Organization

C
council of scientific & industrial research (csir) - india
Scholars:
4.6W
Papers: 3.8W
Citations: 37
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