Unveiling the enigma of Brain-resident immune cells

Abstract

The immune system has been extensively studied in traditional immune hubs like the spleen and lymph nodes. However, recent advances in immunology highlight unique immune cell characteristics across anatomical compartments. In this study, we challenged conventional thinking by uncovering distinct immune cell populations within the brain parenchyma, separate from those in the blood, meninges, and choroid plexus, with unique transcriptional profiles. Brain-resident immune cells are not derived from maternal immune cells, and age-related changes, with an increase in CD8+ T cells in aged mice, are noted. Alzheimers disease (AD) alters microglias interaction with brain-resident immune cells, emphasizing immune-brain dynamics. Furthermore, we reveal dynamic immune cell interactions and essential cytokine roles in brain homeostasis, with stable cytokine expression but emerging signaling pathways in AD. In summary, this study advances our understanding of brain-resident immune cells in both normal and pathological conditions.