Abstract
Impaired clearance of amyloid β (Aβ) in late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD) affects disease progression. The role of peripheral monocytes in Aβ clearance from the central nervous system (CNS) is unclear. We use a flow cytometry assay to identify Aβ-binding monocytes in blood, validated by confocal microscopy, Western blotting, and mass spectrometry. Flow cytometry immunophenotyping and correlation with AD biomarkers are studied in 150 participants from the AIBL study. We also examine monocytes in human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and their migration in an APP/PS1 mouse model. The assay reveals macrophage-like Aβ-binding monocytes with high phagocytic potential in both the periphery and CNS. We find lower surface Aβ levels in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD-dementia patients compared to cognitively unimpaired individuals. Monocyte infiltration from blood to CSF and migration from CNS to peripheral lymph nodes and blood are observed. Here we show that Aβ-binding monocytes may play a role in CNS Aβ clearance, suggesting their potential as a biomarker for AD diagnosis and monitoring.
Document Type
Journal Article
Volume
15
Issue
1
Funding Information
National Health and Medical Research Council / State Government of Victoria / Australian Research Council Future Fellowship
PubMed ID
39266542
School
Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease Research and Care
Grant Number
ARC Number : FT120100581, NHMRC Numbers : 2016803, 1048082, 1061419, 1120095, 110178
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Publisher
Nature
Comments
Huang, X., Fowler, C., Li, Y., Li, Q. X., Sun, J., Pan, Y., ... & Gu, B. J. (2024). Clearance and transport of amyloid β by peripheral monocytes correlate with Alzheimer’s disease progression. Nature Communications, 15(1), 7998. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-52396-1