APOE4 reprograms microglial lipid metabolism in Alzheimer's disease: Mechanisms and therapeutic implications

Abstract

The apolipoprotein E ε4 (APOE ε4) allele, the strongest genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD), induces cell-type-specific disturbances in brain lipid metabolism. Although impacting astrocytes and neurons, its most pronounced effects occur in microglia, where it causes energy metabolism deficits and promotes the formation of lipid droplet-accumulating microglia, triggering a cascade of neurodegenerative responses. This review comprehensively examines how microglial APOE4-driven lipid metabolic dysregulation exacerbates neuroinflammation and compromises phagocytic capacity, particularly in the clearance of amyloid-β, phosphorylated-tau, and pathological synapses. Mechanistically, microglial APOE4 activates neuroinflammation via LilrB3-mediated type I interferon signaling and induces lipid metabolic imbalance through PU.1/NF-κB-driven transcriptional reprogramming and ER stress-SREBP2 activation. These disturbances exacerbate neuroinflammation, promote lipid droplet accumulation and cholesterol overload, impair lysosomal function, and ultimately compromise microglial phagocytosis. The resulting disruption of neuron-microglia interactions further amplifies neurotoxicity in AD. Furthermore, this review summarizes emerging therapeutic strategies targeting APOE4-related pathway in microglia. By synthesizing these insights, this review highlights the multifaceted role of microglial APOE4 in AD pathology, with particular emphasis on the central role of lipid metabolism dysregulation, and provides new intervention ideas for reducing its damage to brain function.