Role of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration of the central nervous system

Abstract

Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) is a member of the TREM family of innate immune receptors. It is expressed on the cell membrane of myeloid lineage cells including osteoclasts and microglia. Since it was reported that rare TREM2 variants, such as R47H and R62H, increase the risk of late‐onset Alzheimer's disease, it has been pointed out that many TREM2 variants relate to other neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and frontotemporal dementia. Although there are still conflicting reports as to whether TREM2 promotes or suppresses neurodegenerative or neuroinflammatory diseases, TREM2 has recently been considered to play a key role in the concept of disease‐associated microglia. In disease‐associated microglia induction, TREM2 might have a role as a microglia‐specific checkpoint.

Neuroinflammation in dementia and neurodegeneration

“…Takahashi reviewed the role of TREM2 in neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation . TREM2 is a member of innate immune receptors for which the ligands remain unclear, and is expressed preferentially in myeloid lineage cells including microglia in the brain.…”