Exploring the vital role of microglial membrane receptors in Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis: a comprehensive review

Abstract

Neurodegenerative diseases constitute a broad category of diseases caused by the degeneration of the neurons.They are mainly manifested by the gradual loss of neuron structure and function and eventually can cause death or loss of neurons. As the global population ages rapidly, increased people are being diagnosed with neurodegenerative diseases. It has been established that the onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is closely linked with increasing age and its major pathological features include amyloid-beta plaques (Aβ), Tau hyperphosphorylation, Neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), neuronal death as well as synaptic loss. The involvement of microglia is crucial in the pathogenesis and progression of AD and exhibits a dual role. For instance, in the early stage of AD, microglia surface membrane proteins or receptors can participate in immunophagocytosis, and anti-inflammatory functions and act as a physical barrier after recognizing various ligands such as Aβ and NFTs. However, in the later stage of the disease, membrane receptors on the surface of microglia can cause its activation to release a substantial quantity of pro-inflammatory factors. Which can amplify the neuroinflammatory response. The rapid decline of normal immune phagocytosis can result in the