Cognitive deficit and neuroinflammation were abolished by a single adoptive transfer of Regulatory T cells in 3xTg mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by progressive cognitive and functional loss leading to neurodegeneration. Although the details are unclear, recent substantial literature suggest that neuroinflammation can facilitate or initiate neurodegeneration of AD. We previously reported the therapeutic potential of regulatory T cells (Tregs) modulating neuroinflammation to protect cells against neurodegeneration. This study assessed the impact of regulatory T cells in the context of Alzheimer’s diseases and investigated the therapeutic effects by adoptive cell therapy with Tregs. When regulatory T cells were administered in the 3xTg animal model of AD, cognitive impairment was markedly improved. Microglial activation and reactive astrocyte in AD mice were dramatically abolished after a single injection of adoptive transfer of regulatory T cells. We confirmed these therapeutic potential of adoptive transfer of Tregs in intraventricular amyloid-β-injected mice model. Altogether, our studies suggest that regulatory T cell adoptive transfer may alleviate neurodegeneration of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).