MS4A4A and MS4A6A: New targets to enhance microglia protective function in Alzheimer's disease.

MS4A4A and MS4A6A are microglia-expressed genes linked to Alzheimer's disease risk. In this issue of Neuron, Rosner et al.1 show that these proteins cooperatively restrain TREM2 signaling, dampening protective microglial responses and highlighting MS4A inhibition as a potential strategy to rejuvenate the brain's innate immune system in Alzheimer's disease.