IMMUNOLOGY2026™ Conference Recordings For Attendees-Repeated brain resident memory T cell reactivation induces microglial and T cell remodeling and sustained microglia activation in Alzheimer's disease

Repeated brain resident memory T cell reactivation induces microglial and T cell remodeling and sustained microglia activation in Alzheimer's disease

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Tiffany from Dartmouth described research on virus-specific resident memory T cells (TRM) in an Alzheimer’s disease mouse model. Alzheimer’s is marked by amyloid beta plaque buildup, which drives neurodegeneration and activates microglia, the brain’s immune cells. Although T cells in Alzheimer’s have unclear roles, her lab studies OT1 virus-specific TRM in 5xFAD mice, which rapidly develop amyloid plaques. She found that Alzheimer’s TRM are more highly activated and polyfunctional than wild-type TRM, producing more cytokines both in vitro and after intracranial reactivation. Reactivating TRM in Alzheimer’s mice increased microglial activation, especially disease-associated microglia, and led to a reactivation-specific microglia cluster expressing antigen-presentation genes like CD74. Repeated TRM reactivation also increased brain amyloid beta and plaque burden. Over time, these immune changes persisted and some behavioral effects emerged. The study suggests viral-specific TRM can shape neuroinflammation and Alzheimer’s pathology.

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Date April 18, 2026 9:00 AM - 9:15 AM

Room 157

Session Neurodegenerative & Autoimmune Disorders

Speaker Tiffany Chen

Track Neuroimmunology (NEUR)

Year 2026

Keywords

Alzheimer’s disease

resident memory T cells

microglia activation

amyloid beta plaques

neuroinflammation

April 18, 2026 9:00 AM - 9:15 AM

157

Neurodegenerative & Autoimmune Disorders

Tiffany Chen

Neuroimmunology (NEUR)

2026