Brain immune-cell sugars (heparan sulfate) and how they change APOE's role in Alzheimer's
Microglial heparan sulfate in the modulation of APOE function and neurodegeneration
This work aims to learn whether a sugar molecule on brain immune cells changes how APOE proteins influence Alzheimer's risk, especially for people with the APOE4 gene.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11237087 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would hear that researchers are focusing on heparan sulfate (a sugar on the surface of microglia, the brain's immune cells) and how it binds different forms of the APOE protein. They will combine lab experiments using cell and animal models with analyses of human genetic and pathological data to see if HS–APOE interactions explain why APOE4 raises Alzheimer’s risk. The team will compare APOE versions (APOE2, APOE3, APOE4) and test how altering HS on microglia changes inflammation and neurodegeneration signals. The goal is to link molecular findings to what is seen in people with late-onset Alzheimer's.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Alzheimer's disease or individuals at higher genetic risk—especially carriers of the APOE4 gene—would be most directly relevant to this research.
Not a fit: Individuals whose cognitive problems are due to non-Alzheimer causes or who do not carry APOE risk variants are less likely to gain direct benefit from this specific work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could point to new ways to lower APOE4-related Alzheimer's risk or to drug targets that block harmful APOE–HS interactions.
How similar studies have performed: Prior genetic and laboratory work has hinted that APOE binds heparan sulfate differently and that APOE and microglia affect Alzheimer's, but direct functional proof in late-onset Alzheimer's is still limited.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yamaguchi, Yu — Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
- Study coordinator: Yamaguchi, Yu
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.