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Behavioral and transcriptomic analysis of Trem2-null mice: not all knockout mice are created equal
Kang SS, Kurti A, Baker KE, Liu CC, Colonna M, Ulrich JD, Holtzman DM, Bu G et al.. Human molecular genetics, 2018-01-01
Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
It is clear that innate immune system status is altered in numerous neurodegenerative diseases. Human genetic studies have demonstrated that triggering receptor expressed in myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) coding variants have a strong association with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. To more thoroughly understand the impact of TREM2 in vivo, we studied the behavioral and cognitive functions of wild-type (WT) and Trem2-/- (KO) mice during basal conditions and brain function in the context of innate immune stimulation with peripherally administered lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
Key findings
- Human genetic studies have demonstrated that triggering receptor expressed in myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) coding variants have a strong association with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases.
- To more thoroughly understand the impact of TREM2 in vivo, we studied the behavioral and cognitive functions of wild-type (WT) and Trem2-/- (KO) mice during basal conditions and brain function in the context of innate immune stimulation with peripherally administered lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
- Early markers of neuroinflammation preceded Aif1 and Trem2 upregulation that occurred at later stages (24-48 h post-LPS).
- We performed a transcriptomic study of these cohorts and found numerous transcripts and pathways that were altered in Trem2-/- mice both at baseline and 48 h after LPS challenge.
Why it matters
This study examined behavior and cognition in Trem2 knockout mice under basal conditions and after immune stimulation with lipopolysaccharide. It is an animal study of TREM2 function and does not show a treatment, cure or prevention for Alzheimer's disease.
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Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 47/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Human molecular genetics) |
| Journal's citation record | 3 / 4 | Human Molecular Genetics: journal h-index 356 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 2 / 5 | 2018 — within 10 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Laboratory or animal study (title names “mice”) — scores zero |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 4 / 7 | Cited 62 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 2 / 5 | 6.2 citations a year over 10 year(s) since 2018 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 4.2× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 3 / 6 | Cited by 15 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 2 / 4 | Cited 16 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 3 / 4 | Last-listed author John Denis Fryer: h-index 65 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 2 / 3 | Washington University in St. Louis: institution h-index 1,962 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 3 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 29040522) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 47 / 100 | — |
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Read the original
- DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddx366
- PubMed: 29040522
- Original source →
- Free full text: Human Molecular Genetics →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. The record's author list ends in “et al.”, so not every author is named. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Kang, S. S., Kurti, A., Baker, K. E., Liu, C. C., Colonna, M., Ulrich, J. D., et al. (2018). Behavioral and transcriptomic analysis of Trem2-null mice: not all knockout mice are created equal. Human molecular genetics. https://doi.org/10.1093/hmg/ddx366
Vancouver
Kang SS, Kurti A, Baker KE, Liu CC, Colonna M, Ulrich JD, et al. Behavioral and transcriptomic analysis of Trem2-null mice: not all knockout mice are created equal. Human molecular genetics. 2018. doi:10.1093/hmg/ddx366. PMID: 29040522.
BibTeX
@article{kang2018-29040522,
author = {Kang, S. S. and Kurti, A. and Baker, K. E. and Liu, C. C. and Colonna, M. and Ulrich, J. D. and Holtzman, D. M. and Bu, G. and others},
title = {{Behavioral and transcriptomic analysis of Trem2-null mice: not all knockout mice are created equal}},
journal = {Human molecular genetics},
year = {2018},
doi = {10.1093/hmg/ddx366},
pmid = {29040522},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/hmg/ddx366}
}
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