R01AG076018

Intersection of HSV-1 and Microglial Genetics in AD - Project Summary

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive decline and dementia. Genome-wide association studies have identified novel AD susceptibility loci. Interestingly, the associated genes at several of these loci implicate the immune system in late-onset AD, specifically the innate immune system.

Many recent lines of evidence suggest that the immune system plays a key role in AD initiation and progression, but the actual mechanistic dysfunction of the immune system in this neurodegenerative disease remains unknown. Genetic studies and pathology hint that the immune system's ability to mount a productive response has been lost in AD with detrimental consequences.

Post-mortem pathology of individuals with AD reveals an infiltration of T cells in the hippocampus, a region expected to be immune privileged, leading to speculation that AD might have an infectious component to its etiology or progression. In parallel, the pathogen hypothesis has garnered more support for a possible pathogenic etiology of AD.

We propose to leverage our understanding of the immune system to determine if the immune response to the neuroinvasive pathogen Human Simplex Virus (HSV)-1 is modulated by AD genetic associations, leading to increased risk for AD. We will take a comprehensive approach using cutting-edge tools to explore this hypothesis in AD. Combining genetics, human immunology, transcriptomics, virology, in vitro models, computational biology, and epidemiology, we will dissect the interaction between HSV-1 infections and AD genetics.

For this application, we propose a multifaceted approach using cutting-edge technology to:

1) Identify the microglia response to HSV-1 infection based on each individual's genetic background;

2) Examine how these microglia function as antigen-presenting cells to T cells, a key cell type in resolving active infections; and

3) Determine the interaction of HSV-1 and AD genetics in two well-established cohorts and one anti-viral clinical trial in AD.

The Trustees Of Columbia University In The City Of New York

TO ENCOURAGE BIOMEDICAL, SOCIAL, AND BEHAVIORAL RESEARCH AND RESEARCH TRAINING DIRECTED TOWARD GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF THE AGING PROCESS AND THE DISEASES, SPECIAL PROBLEMS, AND NEEDS OF PEOPLE AS THEY AGE. THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING HAS ESTABLISHED PROGRAMS TO PURSUE THESE GOALS. THE DIVISION OF AGING BIOLOGY EMPHASIZES UNDERSTANDING THE BASIC BIOLOGICAL PROCESSES OF AGING. THE DIVISION OF GERIATRICS AND CLINICAL GERONTOLOGY SUPPORTS RESEARCH TO IMPROVE THE ABILITIES OF HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONERS TO RESPOND TO THE DISEASES AND OTHER CLINICAL PROBLEMS OF OLDER PEOPLE. THE DIVISION OF BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL RESEARCH SUPPORTS RESEARCH THAT WILL LEAD TO GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF THE SOCIAL, CULTURAL, ECONOMIC AND PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS THAT AFFECT BOTH THE PROCESS OF GROWING OLD AND THE PLACE OF OLDER PEOPLE IN SOCIETY. THE DIVISION OF NEUROSCIENCE FOSTERS RESEARCH CONCERNED WITH THE AGE-RELATED CHANGES IN THE NERVOUS SYSTEM AS WELL AS THE RELATED SENSORY, PERCEPTUAL, AND COGNITIVE PROCESSES ASSOCIATED WITH AGING AND HAS A SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE. SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) PROGRAM: TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE THE SBIR PROGRAM, TO INCREASE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIONS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, TO INCREASE SMALL BUSINESS PARTICIPATION IN FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION OF SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS IN TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION. SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (STTR) PROGRAM: TO STIMULATE AND FOSTER SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION THROUGH COOPERATIVE RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT CARRIED OUT BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, TO FOSTER TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, TO INCREASE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIONS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION OF SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS IN TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION.

93.866 - Aging Research

National Institute on Aging (NIA) [HHS - NIH]

New York, New York 10032 United States

Single Zip Code

Infectious Etiology of Alzheimer's Disease (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) (RFA-AG-21-034)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 395% from $777,084 to $3,846,784.