Decoding cell-type-specific alterations in Alzheimer's disease through scRNA-seq and network analysis

Abstract

Alzheimers Disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by complex, cell-type-specific molecular alterations. This study integrates single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) with network-based methodologies to decode transcriptional changes across major brain cell types in AD. Using scRNA-seq data from 432,555 single cells, we constructed Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) networks specific to each cell type and assessed the differential expression of genes in diseased conditions. Our findings reveal that glutamatergic neurons and inhibitory interneurons exhibit the highest transcriptional dysregulation, while pericytes and endothelial cells show limited changes. The analysis identified significant enrichment of Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) within the AD protein module. Network analysis highlights highly connected proteins such as HSPB1, which is implicated in proteostasis, and CXCR4, which is involved in neuroinflammation. Our results underscore the importance of cell-type-specific approaches in AD research, demonstrating that neurons experience more extensive dysregulation, while vascular-associated cells play key roles in maintaining Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) integrity. These insights emphasize the necessity of tailored therapeutic strategies addressing the heterogeneous molecular landscape of AD.