The mitochondrial translocator protein (TSPO) in Alzheimer's disease: Therapeutic and immunomodulatory functions

Lauren H. Fairley, Kei Onn Lai, Amandine Grimm, Anne Eckert, Anna M. Barron*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The translocator protein (TSPO) has been widely investigated as a PET-imaging biomarker of neuroinflammation and, more recently, as a therapeutic target for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease. TSPO ligands have been shown to exert neuroprotective effects in vivo and in vitro models of Alzheimer's disease (AD), by reducing toxic beta amyloid peptides, and attenuating brain atrophy. Recent transcriptomic and proteomic analyses, and the generation of TSPO-KO mice, have enabled new insights into the mechanistic function of TSPO in AD. Using a multi-omics approach in both TSPO-KO- and TSPO ligand-treated mice, we have demonstrated a key role for TSPO in microglial respiratory metabolism and phagocytosis in AD. In this review, we discuss emerging evidence for therapeutic and immunomodulatory functions of TSPO in AD, and new tools for studying TSPO in the brain.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)120-131
Number of pages12
JournalBiochimie
Volume224
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2024
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Authors

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Biochemistry

Keywords

  • Alzheimer's disease
  • Dementia
  • Inflammation
  • Mitochondria
  • Positron emission tomography

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