Antibody-mediated targeting of human microglial leukocyte Ig-like receptor B4 attenuates amyloid pathology in a mouse model

Sci Transl Med. 2024 Apr 3;16(741):eadj9052. doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adj9052. Epub 2024 Apr 3.

Abstract

Microglia help limit the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) by constraining amyloid-β (Aβ) pathology, effected through a balance of activating and inhibitory intracellular signals delivered by distinct cell surface receptors. Human leukocyte Ig-like receptor B4 (LILRB4) is an inhibitory receptor of the immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily that is expressed on myeloid cells and recognizes apolipoprotein E (ApoE) among other ligands. Here, we find that LILRB4 is highly expressed in the microglia of patients with AD. Using mice that accumulate Aβ and carry a transgene encompassing a portion of the LILR region that includes LILRB4, we corroborated abundant LILRB4 expression in microglia wrapping around Aβ plaques. Systemic treatment of these mice with an anti-human LILRB4 monoclonal antibody (mAb) reduced Aβ load, mitigated some Aβ-related behavioral abnormalities, enhanced microglia activity, and attenuated expression of interferon-induced genes. In vitro binding experiments established that human LILRB4 binds both human and mouse ApoE and that anti-human LILRB4 mAb blocks such interaction. In silico modeling, biochemical, and mutagenesis analyses identified a loop between the two extracellular Ig domains of LILRB4 required for interaction with mouse ApoE and further indicated that anti-LILRB4 mAb may block LILRB4-mApoE by directly binding this loop. Thus, targeting LILRB4 may be a potential therapeutic avenue for AD.

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease* / pathology
  • Amyloid / metabolism
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Antibodies / metabolism
  • Apolipoproteins E
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Leukocytes / metabolism
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Microglia* / metabolism
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism
  • Receptors, Immunologic / metabolism

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Amyloid
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Apolipoproteins E
  • LILRB4 protein, human
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Receptors, Immunologic