Function and mechanism of TREM2 in bacterial infection

PLoS Pathog. 2024 Jan 18;20(1):e1011895. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011895. eCollection 2024 Jan.

Abstract

Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2), which is a lipid sensing and phagocytosis receptor, plays a key role in immunity and inflammation in response to pathogens. Here, we review the function and signaling of TREM2 in microbial binding, engulfment and removal, and describe TREM2-mediated inhibition of inflammation by negatively regulating the Toll-like receptor (TLR) response. We further illustrate the role of TREM2 in restoring organ homeostasis in sepsis and soluble TREM2 (sTREM2) as a diagnostic marker for sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE). Finally, we discuss the prospect of TREM2 as an interesting therapeutic target for sepsis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Infections* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Microglia / metabolism
  • Receptors, Immunologic / metabolism
  • Sepsis* / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Toll-Like Receptors / metabolism

Substances

  • Toll-Like Receptors
  • TREM2 protein, human
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Receptors, Immunologic

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81571872 to QC; 82370013 to QC). The funders had no influence on the study design, conduct, and analysis or on the preparation of this paper.