Multi-omics identification of haptoglobin as a novel target for increased Alzheimer's disease risk associated with obesity through inhibiting the phagocytosis of Aβ by disease-associated microglia.

INTRODUCTION

Obesity may increase Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

METHODS

We investigated this link through global epidemiology, Mendelian randomization (MR), transcriptomics, clinical cohort validation, and mechanistic exploration.

RESULTS

High body mass index (BMI)-attributable AD disability-adjusted life years and deaths increased 4-fold from 1990-2021, with projections indicating a tripling by 2050. MR analyses found that elevated BMI was genetically related to increased AD risk. Haptoglobin (HP) was identified as a core mediator between them. HP expression was correlated with plasma AD biomarkers and cognitive scores. Mechanistically, HP localized to plaque-associated microglia and suppressed microglial amyloid beta (Aβ) phagocytosis and DNAX activating protein of 12 kDa (Dap12)/Spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) pathway with modulating disease-associated microglial transcriptional programs.

CONCLUSION

This study identified HP as a strong candidate mediator linking obesity to AD pathogenesis through inhibiting the phagocytosis of Aβ by microglia.