The role of oral microbially induced exosomes in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis
Description: There is a strong epidemiologic association between periodontitis (PD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but how these two diseases intersect and whether it is at the level of causation is unclear. We show in transgenic AD mouse models [AppNL-G-F Knock-in and 5XFAD] and P16-3MR reporter mouse model that oral microbially induced exosomes are secreted from gingival tissues during experimental PD and that these exosomes contain P.gingivalis gingipains and readily cross the BBB, inducing senescence, neuroinflammation, and AD pathology. Brain samples from humans with AD confirm the presence of exosomes containing Pg gingipains and other antigens, suggesting exosomes as a new biological mechanism for crosstalk between microbial pathogens and brain tissue in the context of AD pathogenesis.
Funder: National Institute on Aging
Funding type: research
Funder scheme: R01
Start date: 2025-01-01
End date: 2029-11-30
Investigator: RANYA ELSAYED
Institution: AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY
Funded outputs count: 2
Funder award ID: R01AG087335
OpenAlex ID: G9000900052