Cells · Mar 27, 2026

Astrocyte Mitochondrial UCP4 Reprograms Neuronal Network Oscillations via GDNF-Dependent K⁺-Ca²⁺ Signaling in Alzheimer's Disease Mice

By Gaifullina A, Belhi C, Restivo L et al.

Neuron-targeted therapies for Alzheimer's disease (AD) have shown limited efficacy, highlighting the need to explore glial-based mechanisms of neuroprotection. Here, we show that astrocyte mitochondrial uncoupling via viral overexpression of uncoupling protein 4 (UCP4) restores neuronal circuits and ion channel function in aged 3xTG AD mice with overt symptoms. Spontaneous local field potential recordings revealed a partial recovery of hippocampal and subicular sharp wave ripple oscillations, electrophysiological signatures of neuronal circuits known to be altered in AD. Combined whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology with two-photon Ca²⁺ imaging further demonstrated that UCP4 modulates activity-dependent Ca²⁺ influx, A-type potassium channel function, and enhances glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) signaling. These findings identify astrocytic mitochondrial uncoupling as a potent mechanism enhancing neuronal resilience and restoring circuit function in symptomatic AD brains.

doi.org/10.3390/cells15070597 Open access PubMed 41972689 Interventions