Lames Baraji

تخصص المعلوماتية الحيوية · دفعة 2026

Astrocyte–Neuron Communication Associated with Ex5 Resilience Across Brain Regions and AD Pathology Stages

This project investigates whether astrocyte–neuron communication is associated with the relative resilience of Ex5 excitatory neurons in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Using processed single-nucleus RNA-seq data from BA9, BA7, and BA17 across low, intermediate, and high AD pathology stages, astrocytes and two excitatory neuronal populations—vulnerable Ex2 and resilient Ex5 neurons—were analyzed. CellChat was used to infer ligand–receptor signaling and identify pathways preferentially associated with Ex5 compared with Ex2. These Ex5-biased signaling patterns were compared across brain regions and pathology stages, followed by GO Biological Process enrichment to characterize their functional roles. The analysis identified context-dependent Ex5-associated communication, with pathways including NRG, NGL, RA, and CADM, and functional convergence on processes related to synaptic organization, axonal development, neuronal signaling, and cell–cell interaction. Overall, the findings suggest that the cellular microenvironment may complement intrinsic molecular programs associated with Ex5 resilience in AD, while remaining exploratory and requiring experimental validation.

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