Genetic ablation of apolipoprotein A-IV accelerates Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis in a mouse model.

ABSTRACT: The link between lipoprotein metabolism and Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been established. Apolipoprotein A-IV (apoA-IV), a component of lipoprotein particles similar to apolipoprotein E, has been suggested to play an important role in brain metabolism. Although there are clinical debates on the function of its polymorphism in AD, the pathologic role of apoA-IV in AD is still unknown. Here, we report that genetic ablation of apoA-IV is able to accelerate AD pathogenesis in mice. In a mouse model that overexpresses human amyloid precursor protein (APP) and presenilin 1, genetic reduction of apoA-IV augments extracellular amyloid-? peptide (A?) burden and aggravates neuron loss in the brain. In addition, genetic ablation of apoA-IV also accelerates spatial learning deficits and increases the mortality of mice. We have found that apoA-IV colocalizes within A? plaques in APP/presenilin 1 transgenic mice and binds to A? in vitro. Subsequent studies show that apoA-IV in this model facilitates A? uptake in the A? clearance pathway mediated by astrocytes rather than the amyloidogenic pathway of APP processing. Taken together, we conclude that apoA-IV deficiency increases A? deposition and results in cognitive damage in the mouse model. Enhancing levels of apoA-IV may have therapeutic potential in AD treatment.

SUBMITTER: Cui Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3070550 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature