Journal Article

DZNE-2026-00235

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Phagocytes as plaque catalysts: Human macrophages generate seeding-competent Aβ42 fibrils with cross-seeding activity.

Konstantoulea, K. ; Ramakers, M. ; Borrie, S. C. ; T'Syen, D. ; Moechars, D. ; Sliwinska, M. A. ; Pradhan, B. ; Albertini, G. ; Baligács, N. ; Tsaka, G. ; Houben, B. ; Fiers, M. ; Gallardo, R. ; Dewilde, M. ; Thal, D. R. ; Willem, M. ; Neher, J. J.DZNE* ; De Strooper, B. ; Rousseau, F. ; Schymkowitz, J.

2026
National Acad. of Sciences Washington, DC

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1073/pnas.2516774123

Abstract: The prevailing view frames microglia and macrophages as guardians against amyloid beta (Aβ) accumulation in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, we overturn this paradigm by demonstrating that human phagocytic cells, including differentiated THP-1 macrophages and hESC-derived microglia, are not merely passive responders but active producers of extracellular, seeding-competent Aβ42 fibrils, the amyloid species most strongly linked to parenchymal plaque formation and neurodegeneration. These cell-generated aggregates differ structurally and functionally from synthetic fibrils, displaying enhanced seeding and tau cross-seeding activity in biosensor models. Notably, Aβ42 fibril formation in this system requires active cellular processes and is exacerbated by loss of Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells 2 (TREM2), a major AD risk gene. Transcriptomic profiling reveals an early inflammatory response resembling microglial states observed in human AD models. Together, these findings support emerging evidence from in vivo studies that macrophages and microglia can influence amyloid seeding and introduce a human-relevant in vitro platform to explore how Aβ aggregation intersects with innate immune function and genetic risk. Our results reinforce the concept that microglia may play a dual role in AD, acting both as responders and inadvertent facilitators of amyloid assembly, with implications for early therapeutic intervention.

Keyword(s): Ab42 ; Alzheimer’s disease ; TREM2 ; microglia

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Neuroimmunology and Neurodegenerative Disease (AG Neher (München))

Research Program(s):

1. 352 - Disease Mechanisms (POF4-352) (POF4-352)

Appears in the scientific report 2026

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Database coverage:
; ; ; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Agriculture, Biology and Environmental Sciences ; Current Contents - Life Sciences ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF >= 10 ; JCR ; National-Konsortium ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection ; Zoological Record

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