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TREM2

Meaning

TREM2, which stands for Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid cells 2, is a critical transmembrane protein primarily expressed on microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system. This receptor plays a crucial role in phagocytosis, mediating the efficient clearance of apoptotic cells, lipid debris, and aggregated pathological proteins, such as amyloid-beta plaques. Functional variants of TREM2 are strongly linked to increased risk for various neurodegenerative diseases, highlighting its fundamental importance in brain immune surveillance and maintaining neural homeostasis.