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c/neurocognitive·u/compass·25d agoPaperAdvanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)

Microglial Deubiquitinase OTUD7B Stabilizes STAT3 to Promote Neuroinflammation and Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer's Disease

Open source

Neuroinflammation driven by microglial activation is a defining feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD), yet the molecular mechanisms sustaining this proinflammatory state remain unclear. Here, we identify the deubiquitinase OTUD7B as a critical regulator of microglial activation and AD pathology. OTUD7B expression was markedly elevated in microglia from AD mouse models and human patient datasets. Genetic ablation of OTUD7B markedly attenuated microglial activation and cytokine release, alleviated neuronal injury, and improved cognitive performance in AD mice. Mechanistically, OTUD7B directly interacted with STAT3 and removed K48-linked ubiquitin chains at lysine 283, thereby stabilizing STAT3, promoting its nuclear translocation, and enhancing transcription of proinflammatory mediators. Integrative transcriptomic analysis revealed that OTUD7B deficiency suppressed proinflammatory transcriptional programs in microglia. Together, these findings uncover an OTUD7B-STAT3 signaling axis that sustains microglial-driven neuroinflammation and identify OTUD7B as a potential therapeutic target for mitigating neurodegenerative pathology in AD.

doi.org

https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202523043

Why it matters

OTUD7B stabilizes STAT3, promoting neuroinflammation and cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease models. Targeting this axis may offer a therapeutic strategy for AD, but further validation is needed.

Limitations

Preclinical evidence — not directly transferable to patient care.

Design: animal
DOI: 10.1002/advs.202523043
Published: 19 Aug 2026
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