Immunological Biomarkers in Alzheimer's Disease
Summary
Immunological biomarkers have emerged as critical tools for understanding the complex interplay between the immune system and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease. These biomarkers include circulating autoantibodies against amyloid-β and tau, profiles of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, complement cascade components and cell‐surface markers expressed by peripheral immune cells. Changes in naturally occurring antibodies may reflect early alterations in adaptive immunity, while shifts in microglial activation markers point to innate immune engagement within the brain. Blood- and cerebrospinal fluid-based assays of these molecules offer the prospect of non-invasive diagnosis, prognostic staging and treatment monitoring. Importantly, immunological biomarkers have a dual function: they not only signal ongoing pathological processes but also illuminate pathways that may be therapeutically targeted to modulate inflammation, enhance amyloid clearance or restore immune homeostasis. Taken together, the study of immune-related markers in Alzheimer’s disease provides a window onto disease onset and progression and supports the development of personalised immunomodulatory strategies.
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Immunological Biomarkers in Alzheimer's Disease publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in immunological biomarkers in alzheimer's disease across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Immunological biomarker: A molecule or cell‐surface marker derived from the immune system that indicates disease presence or progression.
Autoantibody: An antibody produced by the immune system that mistakenly targets the body’s own proteins, such as amyloid-β or tau in Alzheimer’s disease.
Naturally occurring antibodies (NAbs): Germline-encoded immunoglobulins present without prior immunisation, which can clear cellular debris and misfolded proteins.
Phage-based biochip: A microfluidic device incorporating engineered bacteriophages to capture specific antibodies for diagnostic assays.
Microglial phagocytosis: The process by which brain‐resident immune cells engulf and degrade debris, including amyloid plaques.
MHC class I molecule: A cell‐surface protein complex that presents antigenic peptides to CD8+ T cells, central to adaptive immune responses and target of immunomodulation.
References
- A Novel Serum‐Based Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease Using an Advanced Phage‐Based Biochip. Advanced Science (2023).
- Decrease in naturally occurring antibodies against epitopes of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) risk gene products is associated with cognitive decline in AD. Journal of Neuroinflammation (2023).
- Neuroprotective Effects of IVIG against Alzheimer's Disease via Regulation of Antigen Processing and Presentation by MHC Class I Molecules in 3xTg-AD Mice. The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease (2023).
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