2023 Alzheimer's Association Research Fellowship to Promote Diversity (AARF-D)
Characterizing transcriptional regulators of astrocytes heterogeneity in AD
Can gene changes in specialized cell populations in the brain contribute to Alzheimer’s?
Ibrahim Saliu, Ph.D.
Washington University in St.Louis
St. Louis, MO - United States
Background
Astrocytes, commonly known as “support cells”, are the most abundant cell type in the brain and play an important role in supporting nerve cell function. In Alzheimer’s, certain astrocytes become “reactive” and can release molecules that can damage nearby nerve cells and lead to nerve cell death. Recent studies have shown that specific genes (DNA) can make astrocytes reactive. However, whether specific genes trigger astrocytes to become reactive and how this relates to brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s is unknown.
Research Plan
Dr. Ibrahim Saliu and colleagues will collect astrocytes from human brain tissue from individuals who had Alzheimer’s as well as cognitively unimpaired individuals. They will use new genetic and computer-based techniques to analyze the astrocytes “transcription regulators” which control what genes are turned on or off in the cell. They will compare the transcription regulators of astrocytes in Alzheimer’s brains to cognitively unimpaired brains to understand what factors may be involved in causing astrocytes to become reactive in Alzheimer’s. Lastly, based on their initial findings, the researchers will use astrocytes grown in a laboratory dish to turn off specific genes and measure astrocyte reactivity.
Impact
The results of this study could expand our understanding of astrocytes in brain changes observed in Alzheimer’s. If successful, the findings may lead to novel therapeutic targets to treat Alzheimer’s.