Regulating microglial miR-155 transcriptional phenotype alleviates Alzheimer’s-induced retinal vasculopathy by limiting Clec7a/Galectin-3(+) neurodegenerative microglia

Single cell RNA sequencing studies identified novel neurodegeneration-associated microglial (MGnD/DAM) subtypes activated around cerebral amyloid plaques. Micro-RNA (miR)-155 of the TREM2-APOE pathway was shown to be a key transcriptional regulator of MGnD microglial phenotype. Despite growing interest in studying manifestations of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in the retina, a CNS organ accessible to noninvasive high-resolution imaging, to date MGnD microglia have not been studied in the AD retina. Here, we discovered the presence and increased populations of Clec7a(+) and Galectin-3(+) MGnD microglia in retinas of transgenic APP(SWE)/PS1(L166P) AD-model mice. Conditionally targeting MGnD microglia by miR-155 ablation via the tamoxifen-inducible Cre(ERT2) system in APP(SWE)/PS1(L166P) mice diminished retinal Clec7a(+) and Galectin-3(+) microglial populations while increasing homeostatic P2ry12(+) microglia. Retinal MGnD microglia were often adhering to microvessels; their depletion protected the inner blood-retina barrier and reduced vascular amyloidosis. Microglial miR-155 depletion further limits retinal inflammation. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed enhanced retinal PI3K-Akt signaling and predicted IL-8 and Spp1 decreases in mice with microglia-specific miR-155 knockout. Overall, this study identified MGnD microglia in APP(SWE)/PS1(L166P) mouse retina. Transcriptional regulation of these dysfunctional microglia mitigated retinal inflammation and vasculopathy. The protective effects of microglial miR-155 ablation should shed light on potential treatments for retinal inflammation and vascular damage during AD and other ocular diseases. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40478-022-01439-z.