Increased intermediate M1-M2 macrophage polarization and improved cognition in mild cognitive impairment patients on ω-3 supplementation.

Monocyte/macrophages of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer disease (AD) are defective in phagocytosis and degradation amyloid β (Aβ), but are improved by ω-3 fatty acids (ω-3s). The hypothesis of this study was that active Aβ phagocytosis by macrophages prevents brain amyloidosis and thus maintains cognition. We studied the effects of self-supplementation with a drink with ω-3s, antioxidants, and resveratrol on Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores, macrophage M1M2 phenotype [the ratio of inflammatory cluster of differentiation (CD)54+CD80 and proresolution markers CD163+CD206], and Aβ phagocytosis in patients initially diagnosed as having MCI or subjective cognitive impairment (SCI).

Epigenetic changes in T-cell and monocyte signatures and production of neurotoxic cytokines in ALS patients.

We have investigated transcriptional and epigenetic differences in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of monozygotic female twins discordant in the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Exploring DNA methylation differences by reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS), we determined that, over time, the ALS twin developed higher abundances of the CD14 macrophages and lower abundances of T cells compared to the non-ALS twin. Higher macrophage signature in the ALS twin was also shown by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq).