The role of n-3-derived specialised pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) in microglial mitochondrial respiration and inflammation resolution in Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia globally and is characterised by reduced mitochondrial respiration and cortical deposition of amyloid-β plaques and neurofibrillary tangles comprised of hyper-phosphorylated tau. Despite its characterisation more than 110 years ag...

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Main Authors: Mary Slayo, Christoph Rummel, Pasindu Hansana Singhaarachchi, Martin Feldotto, Sarah J. Spencer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-03-01
Series:Molecular Neurodegeneration
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13024-025-00824-1
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author Mary Slayo
Christoph Rummel
Pasindu Hansana Singhaarachchi
Martin Feldotto
Sarah J. Spencer
author_facet Mary Slayo
Christoph Rummel
Pasindu Hansana Singhaarachchi
Martin Feldotto
Sarah J. Spencer
author_sort Mary Slayo
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia globally and is characterised by reduced mitochondrial respiration and cortical deposition of amyloid-β plaques and neurofibrillary tangles comprised of hyper-phosphorylated tau. Despite its characterisation more than 110 years ago, the mechanisms by which AD develops are still unclear. Dysregulation of microglial phagocytosis of amyloid-β may play a key role. Microglia are the major innate immune cell of the central nervous system and are critical responders to pro-inflammatory states. Typically, microglia react with a short-lived inflammatory response. However, a dysregulation in the resolution of this microglial response results in the chronic release of inflammatory mediators. This prolongs the state of neuroinflammation, likely contributing to the pathogenesis of AD. In addition, the microglial specialised pro-resolving mediator (SPM) contribution to phagocytosis of amyloid-β is dysregulated in AD. SPMs are derivatives of dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and potentially represent a strategic target for protection against AD progression. However, there is little understanding of how mitochondrial respiration in microglia may be sustained long term by n-3-derived SPMs, and how this affects their clearance of amyloid-β. Here, we re-evaluate the current literature on SPMs in AD and propose that SPMs may improve phagocytosis of amyloid-β by microglia as a result of sustained mitochondrial respiration and allowing a pro-resolution response.
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spelling doaj-art-9997f528f6a741caa7171e53373849952025-08-20T02:52:19ZengBMCMolecular Neurodegeneration1750-13262025-03-0120111810.1186/s13024-025-00824-1The role of n-3-derived specialised pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) in microglial mitochondrial respiration and inflammation resolution in Alzheimer’s diseaseMary Slayo0Christoph Rummel1Pasindu Hansana Singhaarachchi2Martin Feldotto3Sarah J. Spencer4School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT UniversityInstitute of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Justus Liebig University GiessenSchool of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT UniversityInstitute of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Justus Liebig University GiessenSchool of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT UniversityAbstract Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia globally and is characterised by reduced mitochondrial respiration and cortical deposition of amyloid-β plaques and neurofibrillary tangles comprised of hyper-phosphorylated tau. Despite its characterisation more than 110 years ago, the mechanisms by which AD develops are still unclear. Dysregulation of microglial phagocytosis of amyloid-β may play a key role. Microglia are the major innate immune cell of the central nervous system and are critical responders to pro-inflammatory states. Typically, microglia react with a short-lived inflammatory response. However, a dysregulation in the resolution of this microglial response results in the chronic release of inflammatory mediators. This prolongs the state of neuroinflammation, likely contributing to the pathogenesis of AD. In addition, the microglial specialised pro-resolving mediator (SPM) contribution to phagocytosis of amyloid-β is dysregulated in AD. SPMs are derivatives of dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and potentially represent a strategic target for protection against AD progression. However, there is little understanding of how mitochondrial respiration in microglia may be sustained long term by n-3-derived SPMs, and how this affects their clearance of amyloid-β. Here, we re-evaluate the current literature on SPMs in AD and propose that SPMs may improve phagocytosis of amyloid-β by microglia as a result of sustained mitochondrial respiration and allowing a pro-resolution response.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13024-025-00824-1Alzheimer’s diseaseBeta-oxidationFatty acidsInflammationMicrogliaMitochondria
spellingShingle Mary Slayo
Christoph Rummel
Pasindu Hansana Singhaarachchi
Martin Feldotto
Sarah J. Spencer
The role of n-3-derived specialised pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) in microglial mitochondrial respiration and inflammation resolution in Alzheimer’s disease
Molecular Neurodegeneration
Alzheimer’s disease
Beta-oxidation
Fatty acids
Inflammation
Microglia
Mitochondria
title The role of n-3-derived specialised pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) in microglial mitochondrial respiration and inflammation resolution in Alzheimer’s disease
title_full The role of n-3-derived specialised pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) in microglial mitochondrial respiration and inflammation resolution in Alzheimer’s disease
title_fullStr The role of n-3-derived specialised pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) in microglial mitochondrial respiration and inflammation resolution in Alzheimer’s disease
title_full_unstemmed The role of n-3-derived specialised pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) in microglial mitochondrial respiration and inflammation resolution in Alzheimer’s disease
title_short The role of n-3-derived specialised pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) in microglial mitochondrial respiration and inflammation resolution in Alzheimer’s disease
title_sort role of n 3 derived specialised pro resolving mediators spms in microglial mitochondrial respiration and inflammation resolution in alzheimer s disease
topic Alzheimer’s disease
Beta-oxidation
Fatty acids
Inflammation
Microglia
Mitochondria
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13024-025-00824-1
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