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Direct microglia replacement reveals pathologic and therapeutic contributions of brain macrophages to a monogenic neurological disease

Lookup NU author(s): Searlait Thom, Luca Gosse, Dr Daniel ErskineORCiD

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Abstract

Krabbe disease, also named globoid cell (GC) leukodystrophy (GLD) for its distinct lipid-laden macrophages, is a severe leukodystrophy caused by galactosylceramidase (GALC) mutations. Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) ameliorates disease and is associated with central nervous system (CNS) engraftment of GALC+ donor macrophages. Yet, the role of macrophages in GLD pathophysiology and HSCT remains unclear. Using single-cell sequencing, we revealed early interferon response signatures that preceded progressively severe macrophage dyshomeostasis and identified a molecular signature of GCs, which we validated in human brain specimens. Genetic depletion and direct microglia replacement by CNS monocyte injection rapidly replaced >80% of endogenous microglia with healthy macrophages in the twitcher (GalcW355) mouse model of GLD. Perinatal microglia replacement completely normalized transcriptional signatures, rescued histopathology, and doubled average survival. Overall, we uncovered distinct forms of microglial dysfunction and evidence that direct, CNS-limited microglia replacement improves a monogenic neurodegenerative disease, identifying a promising therapeutic target.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Aisenberg WH, O'Brien CA, Sangster M, Yaqoob F, Zhang Y, Temsamrit B, Thom S, Gosse L, Chaluvadi S, Elfayomi B, Lee G, Polam V, Levitt EM, Liu G, Lombroso SI, Nemec KM, Clowry G, Nieves C, Rawat P, Church E, Martinez D, Shoffler C, Kancheva D, Petucci C, Taylor D, Kofler J, Erskine D, Movahedi K, Bennett ML, Bennett FC

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Immunity

Year: 2025

Volume: 58

Issue: 5

Pages: p1254-1268.e9

Print publication date: 13/05/2025

Online publication date: 30/04/2025

Acceptance date: 26/03/2025

ISSN (print): 1074-7613

ISSN (electronic): 1097-4180

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.immuni.2025.03.019

DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2025.03.019

PubMed id: 40311614


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