TREM2-Transduced Myeloid Precursors Mediate Nervous Tissue Debris Clearance and Facilitate Recovery in an Animal Model of Multiple Sclerosis

In multiple sclerosis (MS), the body's immune system attacks the protective myelin sheath around nerve fibers, leading to inflammation and nerve damage. Microglial cells, which are immune cells in the brain, can help repair this damage by clearing away cellular debris. This study explores whether modifying myeloid precursor cells (which can turn into microglia) to express TREM2, a receptor that stimulates debris clearance, can improve recovery in an animal model of MS called experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The findings show that intravenous application of TREM2-transduced bone marrow–derived myeloid precursor cells at the EAE peak led to an amelioration of clinical symptoms, reduction in axonal damage, and prevention of further demyelination.

• 1
  TREM2-transduced myeloid cells migrated to inflammatory lesions in the spinal cord of EAE mice.
• 2
  These cells exhibited increased phagocytic activity and cleared degenerated myelin.
• 3
  The treatment led to an anti-inflammatory cytokine environment within the CNS, reducing tissue damage.