Monocyte-derived microglia and the impact of clonal hematopoiesis on the brain (A02)

• Subject Area: Hematology, Oncology ; Immunology ; Molecular and Cellular Neurology and Neuropathology
• Term: since 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 259373024

We have observed that monocyte-derived cells can accumulate in selected brain regions of healthy aging animals and become virtually indistinguishable from yolk sac-derived microglia. These monocyte-derived microglia cells are targets of somatic mutations, such as DNMT3AR822H, a common clonal hematopoiesis (CH) mutation in humans, that promotes in the respective aging animals motor deficits resembling atypical Parkinsonian disorders. We aim to gain mechanistic insights in the link between CH and brain pathologies and the potential connection between CH and Parkinson-like disorders in humans.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 167: Development, function and potential of myeloid cells in the central nervous system (NeuroMac)
• International Connection: Israel
• Applicant Institution: Technische Universität München (TUM)
• Project Heads: Professor Steffen Jung, Ph.D.; Liran Shlush, Ph.D., since 1/2025