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Emerging roles for innate and adaptive immunity in tauopathies
Alexis M. Johnson, John R. Lukens. Cell Reports, 2025-09-01
Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
Tauopathies encompass a large majority of dementia diagnoses and are characterized by toxic neuronal or glial inclusions of the microtubule-associated protein tau. Tau has a high propensity to induce prion-like spreading throughout the brain via a variety of mechanisms, making tauopathy a rapid and lethal form of neurodegeneration that currently lacks an effective therapy or cure. Tau aggregation and neuronal loss associated with this pathology are accompanied by robust neuroinflammation. Innate immune responses-particularly those involving microglial activation, altered lipid metabolism, and type I interferon signaling-have emerged as key drivers of tau hyperphosphorylation and aggregation. Recent advances also point to a significant role for the adaptive immune system in shaping tauopathy progression. This review examines the current understanding of innate immunity in tauopathies and highlights emerging evidence linking T cell responses to tauopathy progression. Last, we conclude with a discussion of potential ways in which the immune system can be harnessed to treat tauopathy.
Key findings
- Tau aggregation and neuronal loss associated with this pathology are accompanied by robust neuroinflammation.
- Recent advances also point to a significant role for the adaptive immune system in shaping tauopathy progression.
- Last, we conclude with a discussion of potential ways in which the immune system can be harnessed to treat tauopathy.
Why it matters
This review describes how immune responses, including microglial activation and T cell responses, accompany tau aggregation and may drive tauopathy progression. It notes that tauopathies currently lack an effective therapy or cure and discusses potential ways the immune system could be harnessed to treat them.
Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 44/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Cell Reports) |
| Journal's citation record | 3 / 4 | Cell Reports: journal h-index 321 (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 | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 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 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 3 / 7 | Cited 17 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 2 / 5 | 5.7 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 4 / 6 | Cited 9.3× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 1 / 6 | Cited by 1 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 2 / 4 | Cited 17 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author John R. Lukens: h-index 46 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | University of Virginia: institution h-index 1,118 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 0 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 1 institution(s) in 1 country — scores zero (affiliation lists can be incomplete) |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 40906561) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 44 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
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. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Johnson, A. M., & Lukens, J. R. (2025). Emerging roles for innate and adaptive immunity in tauopathies. Cell Reports. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2025.116232
Vancouver
Johnson AM, Lukens JR. Emerging roles for innate and adaptive immunity in tauopathies. Cell Reports. 2025. doi:10.1016/j.celrep.2025.116232. PMID: 40906561.
BibTeX
@article{johnson2025-40906561,
author = {Johnson, Alexis M. and Lukens, John R.},
title = {{Emerging roles for innate and adaptive immunity in tauopathies}},
journal = {Cell Reports},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1016/j.celrep.2025.116232},
pmid = {40906561},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2025.116232}
}
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