Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2023, Vol. 18 ›› Issue (4): 708-715.doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.353484

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Targeting neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease: from mechanisms to clinical applications

Zi-Zhen Si1, 2, #, Chen-Jun Zou3, #, Xi Mei4, Xiao-Fang Li5, Hu Luo5, Yao Shen6, Jun Hu3, Xing-Xing Li4, Lun Wu1, Yu Liu2, *   

  1. 1Pharmacy Department, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China; 2Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China; 3Department of Geriatric Psychiatry, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China;  4Key Laboratory Office of Sleep Medicine, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China;  5Department of Psychology, Collage of Teacher Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China; 6Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China 
  • Online:2023-04-15 Published:2022-10-27
  • Contact: Yu Liu, PhD, liuyu@nbu.edu.cn.
  • Supported by:
    This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81971247 (to YL), Zhejiang Provincial Key R & D Plan 2020, No. 2020C03064 (to YL), Ningbo R & D Plan, No. 20181ZDYF020172 (to YL), National Social Science Foundation Key Programs, No. 18ZDA215 (to YL), the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province, No. LQ22H310001 (to ZZS), the Natural Science Foundation of Ningbo, No. 2021J101 (to ZZS) and Regular Scientific Research Project of Education Department of Zhejiang Province, No. Y202146346 (to ZZS).

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Abstract: Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by sustained neuroinflammation leading to memory loss and cognitive decline. The past decade has witnessed tremendous efforts in Alzheimer’s disease research; however, no effective treatment is available to prevent disease progression. An increasing body of evidence suggests that neuroinflammation plays an important role in Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis, alongside the classical pathological hallmarks such as misfolded and aggregated proteins (e.g., amyloid-beta and tau). Firstly, this review summarized the clinical and pathological characteristics of Alzheimer’s disease. Secondly, we outlined key aspects of glial cell-associated inflammation in Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis and provided the latest evidence on the roles of microglia and astrocytes in Alzheimer’s disease pathology. Then, we revealed the double-edged nature of inflammatory cytokines and inflammasomes in Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, the potential therapeutic roles of innate immunity and neuroinflammation for Alzheimer’s disease were also discussed through these mechanisms. In the final section, the remaining key problems according to the current research status were discussed.

Key words: Alzheimer’s disease, astrocytes, immune signaling, inflammatory cytokines, microglia, neuroinflammation, neurotoxicity, therapeutic strategies