Mll5 haploinsufficiency attenuates microglial phagocytosis through dysregulated TREM2-SGK3-GSK3β signaling and recapitulates ASD-like behaviors in mice

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and repetitive behaviors. Recent studies indicated that heterozygous mutations in the mixed lineage leukemia 5 (MLL5) gene are implicated in the ASD susceptibility and associated with neurodevelopmental abnormalities. However, the detailed mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that Mll5 haploinsufficiency in mice impairs microglial phagocytosis, drives neuronal hyperexcitability, and recapitulates core ASD-like behaviors. We also show that Mll5 acts as an epigenetic regulator, modulating microglial phagocytosis via the TREM2-SGK3-GSK3β signaling axis, which is associated with deficient glucose metabolism. Furthermore, ASD individual-derived microglia exhibit parallel reductions in MLL5 expression and phagocytic function. By targeting this pathway, lithium chloride, a GSK3β inhibitor, rescues both microglial phagocytosis deficits and behavioral abnormalities in Mll5 haploinsufficiency mice. Our findings highlight MLL5’s critical role in ASD and its potential as a therapeutic target.