How the HAVCR2 (TIM3) gene affects brain immune cells in late-onset Alzheimer's
Role of a novel risk loci HAVCR2 of late-onset Alzheimer's disease in the regulation of microglial response in neurodegeneration
This project is looking at whether differences in the HAVCR2 (TIM3) gene change how brain immune cells (microglia) behave in people with late-onset Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11298969 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers are studying a gene called HAVCR2 (also known as TIM3) that is active in brain immune cells called microglia and linked to late-onset Alzheimer's. They will use human gene data and lab experiments including genetically altered mice and cell-based tests to see how turning TIM3 on or off changes microglial activity, plaque clearance, and inflammatory signaling. The team will study the TGF-beta–TIM3 pathway and use genetic deletion and molecular assays to measure phagocytosis and plaque effects in an Alzheimer's mouse model. Findings will be compared to human microglial gene patterns to guide whether TIM3 could be a target for future therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with late-onset Alzheimer's disease or brain/tissue donors whose samples can be used to study microglial TIM3 biology.
Not a fit: People with other types of dementia, early-onset familial Alzheimer's driven by different genes, or those not able to provide samples are unlikely to directly benefit from this preclinical work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to boost microglia to clear amyloid plaques or lead to TIM3-targeted treatments for late-onset Alzheimer's.
How similar studies have performed: TIM3-targeting approaches have shown promise in cancer immunotherapy and TIM3 deletion reduced plaque burden in Alzheimer's mouse models, but targeting TIM3 in human Alzheimer's remains largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kuchroo, Vijay K. — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Kuchroo, Vijay K.
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.