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Investigation of the roles of microglia and astrocytes in cerebral amyloid angiopathy across diverse murine strains
Jonathan Nyandu Kanyinda, Olivia J. Marola, Gareth R. Howell. Alzheimer s & Dementia, 2025-12-01
Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
We have shown that B6 and WSB genetic backgrounds are less susceptible to CAA compared to BXW, which develops robust CAA. Preliminary analysis indicates WSB brains have fewer but larger plaques than B6 and BXW. WSB mice also had less GFAP+ area per plaque compared to B6 and BXW mice. In contrast, BXW mice had more IBA+ area per plaque compared to B6 and WSB mice. Given the differential susceptibility of B6, WSB, and BXW genetic backgrounds to CAA development and the potential role of microglia and astrocytes in modulating susceptibility to CAA. It is possible that B6, WSB and BXW.APP/PS1's unique cell response influences amyloid deposition in the vasculature, leading to CAA. Understanding the role of microglia and astrocytes in AD-relevant pathologies will help further the field in the target microglial activity and proliferation as it shows an inverse relationship with CAA expression across strains.
Key findings
- We have shown that B6 and WSB genetic backgrounds are less susceptible to CAA compared to BXW, which develops robust CAA.
- Preliminary analysis indicates WSB brains have fewer but larger plaques than B6 and BXW.
- WSB mice also had less GFAP+ area per plaque compared to B6 and BXW mice.
- In contrast, BXW mice had more IBA+ area per plaque compared to B6 and WSB mice.
- Given the differential susceptibility of B6, WSB, and BXW genetic backgrounds to CAA development and the potential role of microglia and astrocytes in modulating susceptibility to CAA.
Why it matters
In different mouse strains, this study found that genetic background affects susceptibility to cerebral amyloid angiopathy, with BXW mice developing robust CAA and showing more IBA+ area per plaque, while WSB mice had fewer but larger plaques and less GFAP+ area per plaque. These are preliminary animal findings about microglia and astrocytes, and no treatment, cure or prevention for Alzheimer's disease is tested.
Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 35/100
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 (Alzheimer s & Dementia) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | Alzheimer s & Dementia: journal h-index 228 (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 | Laboratory or animal study (title names “murine”) — scores zero |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 1 / 7 | Cited 1 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 0 / 5 | 0.3 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 1 / 6 | Cited 0.6× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 0 / 4 | Cited 1 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 3 / 4 | Last-listed author Gareth R. Howell: h-index 50 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | Tufts University: institution h-index 1,045 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 3 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 41436024) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 35 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.1002/alz70855_101282
- PubMed: 41436024
- Original source →
- Free full text: Alzheimer s & Dementia →
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
Kanyinda, J. N., Marola, O. J., & Howell, G. R. (2025). Investigation of the roles of microglia and astrocytes in cerebral amyloid angiopathy across diverse murine strains. Alzheimer s & Dementia. https://doi.org/10.1002/alz70855_101282
Vancouver
Kanyinda JN, Marola OJ, Howell GR. Investigation of the roles of microglia and astrocytes in cerebral amyloid angiopathy across diverse murine strains. Alzheimer s & Dementia. 2025. doi:10.1002/alz70855_101282. PMID: 41436024.
BibTeX
@article{kanyinda2025-41436024,
author = {Kanyinda, Jonathan Nyandu and Marola, Olivia J. and Howell, Gareth R.},
title = {{Investigation of the roles of microglia and astrocytes in cerebral amyloid angiopathy across diverse murine strains}},
journal = {Alzheimer s \& Dementia},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1002/alz70855_101282},
pmid = {41436024},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/alz70855_101282}
}
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