Microglia efferocytosis: an emerging mechanism for the resolution of neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder characterized by significant neuroinflammatory responses. Microglia, the immune cells of the central nervous system, play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of AD. Recent studies have indicated that microglial efferocytosis...

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Main Authors: Yongping Chen, Yuhong Kou, Yang Ni, Haotian Yang, Cailin Xu, Honggang Fan, Huanqi Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-03-01
Series:Journal of Neuroinflammation
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12974-025-03428-0
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author Yongping Chen
Yuhong Kou
Yang Ni
Haotian Yang
Cailin Xu
Honggang Fan
Huanqi Liu
author_facet Yongping Chen
Yuhong Kou
Yang Ni
Haotian Yang
Cailin Xu
Honggang Fan
Huanqi Liu
author_sort Yongping Chen
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder characterized by significant neuroinflammatory responses. Microglia, the immune cells of the central nervous system, play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of AD. Recent studies have indicated that microglial efferocytosis is an important mechanism for clearing apoptotic cells and cellular debris, facilitating the resolution of neuroinflammation. This review summarizes the biological characteristics of microglia and the mechanisms underlying microglial efferocytosis, including the factors and signaling pathways that regulate efferocytosis, the interactions between microglia and other cells that influence this process, and the role of neuroinflammation in AD. Furthermore, we explore the role of microglial efferocytosis in AD from three perspectives: its impact on the clearance of amyloid plaques, its regulation of neuroinflammation, and its effects on neuroprotection. Finally, we summarize the current research status on enhancing microglial efferocytosis to alleviate neuroinflammation and improve AD, as well as the future challenges of this approach as a therapeutic strategy for AD.
format Article
id doaj-art-558c6546110246e9a2192afeefd77796
institution DOAJ
issn 1742-2094
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series Journal of Neuroinflammation
spelling doaj-art-558c6546110246e9a2192afeefd777962025-08-20T02:49:25ZengBMCJournal of Neuroinflammation1742-20942025-03-0122111110.1186/s12974-025-03428-0Microglia efferocytosis: an emerging mechanism for the resolution of neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s diseaseYongping Chen0Yuhong Kou1Yang Ni2Haotian Yang3Cailin Xu4Honggang Fan5Huanqi Liu6College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural UniversityHeilongjiang Key Laboratory for Laboratory Animals and Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural UniversityCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural UniversityHeilongjiang Key Laboratory for Laboratory Animals and Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural UniversityCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural UniversityHeilongjiang Key Laboratory for Laboratory Animals and Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural UniversityCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural UniversityAbstract Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder characterized by significant neuroinflammatory responses. Microglia, the immune cells of the central nervous system, play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of AD. Recent studies have indicated that microglial efferocytosis is an important mechanism for clearing apoptotic cells and cellular debris, facilitating the resolution of neuroinflammation. This review summarizes the biological characteristics of microglia and the mechanisms underlying microglial efferocytosis, including the factors and signaling pathways that regulate efferocytosis, the interactions between microglia and other cells that influence this process, and the role of neuroinflammation in AD. Furthermore, we explore the role of microglial efferocytosis in AD from three perspectives: its impact on the clearance of amyloid plaques, its regulation of neuroinflammation, and its effects on neuroprotection. Finally, we summarize the current research status on enhancing microglial efferocytosis to alleviate neuroinflammation and improve AD, as well as the future challenges of this approach as a therapeutic strategy for AD.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12974-025-03428-0MicrogliaEfferocytosisNeuroinflammationAlzheimer’s diseaseNeurodegenerative disease
spellingShingle Yongping Chen
Yuhong Kou
Yang Ni
Haotian Yang
Cailin Xu
Honggang Fan
Huanqi Liu
Microglia efferocytosis: an emerging mechanism for the resolution of neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease
Journal of Neuroinflammation
Microglia
Efferocytosis
Neuroinflammation
Alzheimer’s disease
Neurodegenerative disease
title Microglia efferocytosis: an emerging mechanism for the resolution of neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease
title_full Microglia efferocytosis: an emerging mechanism for the resolution of neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease
title_fullStr Microglia efferocytosis: an emerging mechanism for the resolution of neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease
title_full_unstemmed Microglia efferocytosis: an emerging mechanism for the resolution of neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease
title_short Microglia efferocytosis: an emerging mechanism for the resolution of neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease
title_sort microglia efferocytosis an emerging mechanism for the resolution of neuroinflammation in alzheimer s disease
topic Microglia
Efferocytosis
Neuroinflammation
Alzheimer’s disease
Neurodegenerative disease
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12974-025-03428-0
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