Researchers have identified new connections between Alzheimer’s disease and the blood-brain barrier, specifically linking variants of the EphA1 gene to the disease. Genome-wide association studies have shown that a particular genetic variant, P460L, is associated with an increased risk of late-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
The EphA1 gene is known for its role in immune cell recruitment, and the researchers hypothesised that the P460L variant might disrupt EphA1 activity, influencing inflammation in the brain and increasing the risk of Alzheimer’s.
Cellular models were used to study the P460L variant’s impact on T cells and blood-brain barrier endothelial cells, revealing that it disrupts normal EphA1 behavior, affecting immune responses and blood vessels in the brain.
How do you think this research might contribute to future therapeutic approaches for Alzheimer’s disease?