CD38 in Neurodegeneration and Neuroinflammation

Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by neuronal degeneration as well as neuroinflammation. While CD38 is strongly expressed in brain cells including neurons, astrocytes as well as microglial cells, the role played by CD38 in neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation remains elusive. Yet, CD38 expression increases as a consequence of aging which is otherwise the primary risk associated with neurodegenerative diseases, and several experimental data demonstrated that CD38 knockout mice are protected from neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory insults. Moreover, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, whose levels are tightly controlled by CD38, is a recognized and potent neuroprotective agent, and NAD supplementation was found to be beneficial against neurodegenerative diseases. The aims of this review are to summarize the physiological role played by CD38 in the brain, present the arguments indicating the involvement of CD38 in neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation, and to discuss these observations in light of CD38 complex biology.