CD33-CD45 Interaction Reveals a Mechanistic Link to Alzheimer’s Disease Susceptibility

The innate immune gene CD 33, encoding a myeloid inhibitory sialic acid-binding receptor, is associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) susceptibility. The AD-associated rs3865444 ^CC risk variant reduces splicing of the sialic acid-binding domain and increases expression of the full-length (sialic acid-binding) CD33 isoform seven-fold compared to the rs3865444 ^AA protective genotype. Here we identify CD45 as an immune cell-specific sialic acid-dependent cis CD33 binding partner, whose phosphatase activity is inhibited by CD33. Overexpression of CD33 or loss of CD45 contributes to impaired microglial clearance of amyloid beta and amyloid beta-induced loss of dendritic spines in microglial-neuronal co-cultures, aligning with a detrimental effect of CD33-mediated inhibition of CD45. CD33-CD45 interaction frequency was increased in monocytes from individuals with the rs3865444 ^CC risk variant compared to rs3865444 ^AA , as well as in AD compared to controls, independent of genotype. Furthermore, an interaction between CD33 and PTPRC (encoding CD45) gene expression in human brain tissue was associated with a pathological diagnosis of AD and global burden of AD pathology. Our findings thus establish a functional interaction between CD33 and CD45 relevant to AD susceptibility and systemic myeloid dysfunction in this disease.