Ligand-receptor signaling networks in human brains and their implication in AD and PD pathogenesis

Neurons, astrocytes, and microglia all communicate with each other via ligand-receptor interactions. Microglia modulate the functions of reactive astrocytes, ranging from neuroprotective to neurotoxic whereas astrocytes regulate microglial functions such as motility and phagocytosis through ligand-receptor interactions. At the same time both glia cell types are actively involved in the control of neuronal activities in developing and adult organisms and neurons influence glial functions through direct cell-to-cell interactions as well as the release of soluble mediators. Dysregulation of communication among these different cell types is implicated in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. We use snRNA-seq to characterize the interactions among different cellular components and to identify better immunotherapy targets of these diseases.