Response of spatially defined microglia states with distinct chromatin accessibility in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract

Microglial spatial heterogeneity remains a crucial yet not fully answered question in the context of potential cell-directed therapies for Alzheimer's disease (AD). There is an unclear understanding of the dynamics of distinct microglia states adjacent to or far from amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques and their contributions to neurodegenerative diseases. Here we combine multicolor fluorescence cell fate mapping, single-cell transcriptional analysis, epigenetic profiling, immunohistochemistry and computational modeling to comprehensively characterize the relation of plaque-associated microglia (PAM) and non-plaque-associated microglia (non-PAM) in a mouse model of AD. We show that non-PAM are a distinct and highly dynamic microglial state, transitioning to PAM after Aβ plaque deposition in female mice. Non-PAM modulate the cell population expansion in response to amyloid deposition and rapidly respond to environmental cues. Indeed, Csf1 signaling modulates non-PAM-to-PAM transition during disease progression. Our data suggest that microglia states and their dynamics between each other can have distinct contributions to disease, and they may be targeted for the treatment of AD.