Impact of the CD40-CD40L dyad in Alzheimer's disease.
As the number of elderly individuals rises, Alzheimer's disease (AD), marked by amyloid-beta deposition, neurofibrillary tangle formation, and low-level neuroinflammation, is expected to lead to an ever-worsening socioeconomic burden. AD pathoetiologic mechanisms are believed to involve chronic microglial activation. This phenomenon is associated with increased expression of membrane-bound CD40 with its cognate ligand, CD40 ligand (CD40L), as well as increased circulating levels of soluble forms of CD40 (sCD40) and CD40L (sCD40L). Here, we review the role of this inflammatory dyad in the pathogenesis of AD. In addition, we examine potential therapeutic strategies such as statins, flavonoids, and human umbilical cord blood transplantation, all of which have been shown to modulate CD40-CD40L interaction in mouse models of AD. Importantly, therapeutic approaches focusing on CD40-CD40L dyad regulation, either alone or in combination with amyloid-beta immunotherapy, may provide for a safe and effective AD prophylaxis or treatment in the near future.
Giunta
Brian
B
Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine, Institute for Research in Psychiatry Neuroimmunology Laboratory, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, FL 33613, USA. bgiunta@health.usf.edu
Rezai-Zadeh
Kavon
K
Tan
Jun
J
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D023582:Alzheimer Vaccines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D023201:CD40 Ligand / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D036101:Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051379:Mice; D008959:Models, Neurological
D023582:Alzheimer Vaccines; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D019013:CD40 Antigens; D005419:Flavonoids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D023201:CD40 Ligand