The immunoproteasome in Alzheimer's disease: a dual regulator of tau pathology and microglial senescence.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by progressive cognitive decline driven by the convergence of tauopathy, impaired proteostasis, and chronic neuroinflammation. Emerging evidence identifies the immunoproteasome (iP), particularly the β5i/LMP7 subunit, as a central regulator linking these pathological processes. Unlike the constitutive proteasome, the iP is markedly induced in microglia, neurons, and astrocytes under inflammatory conditions through interferon-γ and NF-κB signaling. This review discusses the dual and context-dependent role of the iP in AD pathogenesis. In microglia, chronic iP activation promotes degradation of NRF2, leading to oxidative stress, NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and the development of a senescence-associated secretory phenotype that exacerbates neuroinflammation and tau propagation. In neurons, moderate iP activity facilitates the clearance of phosphorylated tau; however, sustained overactivation generates aggregation-prone tau fragments that enhance trans-synaptic tau spreading. We further highlight the cross-talk between the iP and autophagy pathways through TFEB and p62/SQSTM1 signaling and discuss how gut microbiota-derived inflammatory mediators may prime central iP activation through the gut-brain axis. Importantly, recent preclinical studies support the concept of partial immunoproteasome modulation rather than complete inhibition, with selective LMP7 targeting restoring proteostatic balance, reducing microglial senescence, and attenuating tau pathology. Collectively, the iP emerges as a promising immunopharmacological target and a potential therapeutic rheostat in AD.

Key Findings

• The immunoproteasome (iP), especially the β5i/LMP7 subunit, is induced in microglia, neurons, and astrocytes under inflammatory conditions in Alzheimer's disease.
• Chronic iP activation in microglia promotes degradation of NRF2, leading to oxidative stress, inflammasome activation, microglial senescence, and exacerbation of neuroinflammation and tau pathology.
• Moderate iP activity in neurons aids clearance of phosphorylated tau, but sustained overactivation produces aggregation-prone tau fragments that facilitate tau spreading.
• Cross-talk exists between the iP and autophagy pathways via TFEB and p62/SQSTM1 signaling, and gut microbiota-derived inflammatory mediators may prime iP activation through the gut-brain axis.
• Partial modulation of the immunoproteasome, particularly selective LMP7 targeting, can restore proteostatic balance, reduce microglial senescence, and attenuate tau pathology in preclinical models.

Clinical Significance

Citation

Shokr Mustafa M, Abdelaziz Ahmed M. The immunoproteasome in Alzheimer's disease: a dual regulator of tau pathology and microglial senescence. Inflammopharmacology. 2026-Oct-03.