Immune Cells in Adult Brain Regulate New Neuron Generation, UC Study Finds
Research from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine has revealed how immune cells in the adult brain can regulate the generation of new neurons. The study, published in Nature Communications, contributes to understanding how immune cells influence adult neurogenesis, the process of creating new neurons.
Key Findings
"Adult neurogenesis is vital for learning, memory, and mood regulation. Factors like exercise, sleep, and learning can stimulate neurogenesis, while stress and aging can reduce it."
— Dr. Yu (Agnes) Luo, professor and vice chair for research in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences and the study's corresponding author.
Prior research in Science in 2025 confirmed that neurogenesis occurs in the adult human hippocampus, the brain region associated with learning and memory. This UC study focused on the mechanisms regulating this process, identifying two key breakthroughs:
- Microglia's Role: Immune cells in the brain, known as microglia, regulate neurogenesis in the hippocampal region of the adult brain. The status of microglia in the hippocampus is critical.
- Signaling Crosstalk: Activated microglia that lack TGF-beta signaling stimulate adult neurogenesis through microglia-neural stem cell signaling crosstalk, which is the communication between cellular pathways.
Future Implications
Currently, adult neurogenesis research has utilized animal models. However, microglia-integrated human organoids are being developed for future testing, a collaboration involving Dr. Ziyuan Guo from the College of Medicine's Department of Pediatrics. Dr. Krishna Roskin at Cincinnati Children's contributed to deciphering the immune-neural stem cell crosstalk using single-cell RNA sequencing analysis.
A long-term objective for Dr. Luo's lab is to explore adult neurogenesis as a method for rejuvenation in aging brains, aiming to sustain cognition and support healthier aging. This includes investigating its implications for the understanding and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Contributors
Joshua Peter and Kierra Ware were lead authors from Dr. Luo's lab. Other contributors from the Luo lab at UC included Alicia Bedolla, Claire Distel, Aleksandr Taranov, and Jake Yazell.
External contributors included Shane Liddelow (NYU Grossman School of Medicine), Christina Thapa (Center for Psychiatric Genetics, Evanston), Sven Lammich (Biomedical Center Munich), and Alice Sülzen and Regina Feederle (German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Munich).