Although Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a disease of the brain, we demonstrate that it disrupts myeloid cell production in the bone marrow via a type I interferon signal, preventing protective monocyte-derived macrophages from reaching the brain. Blocking this signal in the 5xFAD mouse model of amyloidosis restored healthy monocyte output and alleviated disease manifestations, highlighting the peripheral immune system as a therapeutic target. This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription Receive 12 print issues and online access Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout Abellanas, M.
Monocyte-derived macrophages act as reinforcements when microglia fall short in Alzheimer’s disease. Neurosci. 28, 436–445 (2025). A perspective from our group summarizing current knowledge of how monocyte-derived macrophages support brain defenses in the fight against AD.
Ccr2 deficiency impairs microglial accumulation and accelerates progression of Alzheimer-like disease. This paper reports that blocking CCR2-dependent recruitment of peripheral myeloid cells accelerates AD-like pathology, revealing the protective role of infiltrating monocytes. Activation of innate immune cGAS–STING pathway contributes to Alzheimer’s pathogenesis in 5×FAD mice.
This paper reports that activation of the cGAS–STING DNA-sensing pathway drives type I interferon signaling and contributes to pathology in the 5xFAD model. Aging-induced type I interferon response at the choroid plexus negatively affects brain function. Science 346, 89–93 (2014).
This paper reports that an aging-induced type I interferon response at the brain borders impairs brain function, linking peripheral interferon signaling to cognitive decline. Article CAS PubMed PubMed Central Google Scholar Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. This is a summary of: Abellanas, M.
Bone marrow myelopoiesis dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease. Neurosci. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-026-02417-7 (2026). The hidden role of the bone marrow in Alzheimer’s disease.
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