Markus Kummer
Senior Principal Scientist - Research AbbVie
Seminars
Wednesday 15th April 2026
Targeting Microglia Beyond TREM2 & Understanding Microglial Diversity Shaped by Disease Stage, Brain Region & Microenvironmental Cues
8:30 am
- Emerging evidence shows that TREM2 is only part of the story; microglial activation can occur independently, and in some cases, peripheral myeloid cells infiltrate the brain and contribute to inflammation
- Dysregulation of HDACs and other epigenetic regulators alters microglial and astrocyte function, suggesting novel therapeutic angles through age-related epigenomic reprogramming
- Disease-associated microglial phenotypes evolve, what is protective in early stages may be harmful later, complicating decisions about when and how to intervene
- Many interventions may also affect peripheral myeloid cells. Biomarker discovery remains critical to distinguish microglial subsets and measure target engagement non-invasively in clinical settings
