Protective effect of pyrroloquinoline quinone against Aβ-induced neurotoxicity in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells

The neurotoxicity of aggregated β-amyloid (Aβ) has been implicated as a critical cause in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). It can cause neurotoxicity in AD by evoking a cascade of oxidative damage-dependent apoptosis to neurons. In the present study, we for the first time investigated the protective effect of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), an anionic, water soluble compound that acts as a redox cofactor of bacterial dehydrogenases, on Aβ-induced SH-SY5Y cytotoxicity. Aβ_25–35 significantly reduced cell viability, increased the number of apoptotic-like cells, and increased ROS production. All of these phenotypes induced by Aβ_25–35 were markedly reversed by PQQ. PQQ pretreatment recovered cells from Aβ_25–35-induced cell death, prevented Aβ_25–35-induced apoptosis, and decreased ROS production. PQQ strikingly decreased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and suppressed the cleavage of caspase-3. These results indicated that PQQ could protect SH-SY5Y cells against β-amyloid induced neurotoxicity.     

Xanthoceraside modulates neurogenesis to ameliorate cognitive impairment in APP/PS1 transgenic mice

Neuronal loss is reported to be an important pathological process in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Neurogenesis is a process of generation of new neurons to fill the neuronal loss. Xanthoceraside has been shown to attenuate the cognitive deficits in several AD animal models. However, little is known about the effect of xanthoceraside on neurogenesis in APP/PS1 transgenic mice. Thus, in this study, we investigated whether xanthoceraside can ameliorate learning and memory impairment by promoting NSCs proliferation and neuronal differentiation. The results suggested that xanthoceraside significantly ameliorated the cognitive impairment and induced NSCs proliferation and neuronal differentiation in APP/PS1 transgenic mice. Meanwhile, in vitro study revealed that xanthoceraside increased the size of NSCs and induced NSCs differentiation into neurons compared with amyloid beta-peptide (25–35) (Aβ_25–35) treatment. Furthermore, we found that xanthoceraside significantly increased the expression of Wnt3a and p-GSK3β, decreased the expression of p-β-catenin, and induced nuclear translocation of β-catenin in APP/PS1 transgenic mice. Furthermore, in vitro study found that the effect of xanthoceraside on inducing NSCs proliferation and neuronal differentiation were inhibited by Wnt pathway inhibitor Dickkopf-1 (Dkk-1). Our data demonstrated that xanthoceraside may promote the proliferation and differentiation of NSCs into neurons by up-regulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway to fill the neuronal loss, thereby improving learning and memory impairment in APP/PS1 transgenic mice.     

Intranasal deferoxamine reverses iron-induced memory deficits and inhibits amyloidogenic APP processing in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

Increasing evidence indicates that a disturbance of normal iron homeostasis and an amyloid-β (Aβ)-iron interaction may contribute to the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD), whereas iron chelation could be an effective therapeutic intervention. In the present study, transgenic mice expressing amyloid precursor protein (APP) and presenilin 1 and watered with high-dose iron served as a model of AD. We evaluated the effects of intranasal administration of the high-affinity iron chelator deferoxamine (DFO) on Aβ neuropathology and spatial learning and memory deficits created in this AD model. The effects of Fe, DFO, and combined treatments were also evaluated in vitro using SHSY-5Y cells overexpressing the human APP Swedish mutation. In vivo, no significant differences in the brain concentrations of iron, copper, or zinc were found among the treatment groups. We found that high-dose iron (deionized water containing 10 mg/mL FeCl₃) administered to transgenic mice increased protein expression and phosphorylation of APP695, enhanced amyloidogenic APP cleavage and Aβ deposition, and impaired spatial learning and memory. Chelation of iron via intranasal administration of DFO (200 mg/kg once every other day for 90 days) inhibited iron-induced amyloidogenic APP processing and reversed behavioral alterations. DFO treatment reduced the expression and phosphorylation of APP protein by shifting the processing of APP to the nonamyloidogenic pathway, and the reduction was accompanied by attenuating the Aβ burden, and then significantly promoted memory retention in APP/PS1 mice. The effects of DFO on iron-induced amyloidogenic APP cleavage were further confirmed in vitro. Collectively, the present data suggest that intranasal DFO treatment may be useful in AD, and amelioration of iron homeostasis is a potential strategy for prevention and treatment of this disease.     

Beneficial effect of ovocystatin on the cognitive decline in APP/PS1 transgenic mice

PurposeCystatin C plays an important role in the course of neurodegenerative diseases and has a beneficial effect through inhibiting cysteine proteases and amyloid-β aggregation. It also induces proliferation and autophagy. Cystatin isolated from chicken egg white, called ovocystatin, has been widely used in the medical and pharmaceutical research due to its structural and biological similarities to human cystatin C. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of administering ovocystatin on the development of dementia-specific cognitive deficits in APP/PS1 transgenic mice.Materials/methodsThe study was conducted on transgenic B6C3-Tg(APPswe,PSEN1dE9)85Dbo/Mmjax mice. Ovocystatin was administered to four-month-old transgenic (AD) and wild type (NCAR) mice in drinking water for 24 weeks (at a dose of 40 and 4 μg/ mouse). The locomotor activity and cognitive functions were determined using an actimeter and the Morris water maze test, respectively.ResultsThe results of the study indicate that ovocystatin has a beneficial effect on the cognitive functions in APP/PS1 transgenic mice. The strongest effects of ovocystatin were found in the group of AD mice, where ovocystatin was administered in drinking water at a dose of 40 μg/mouse (p < 0.05). Mice from the AD group swam statistically significantly further in the target zone during the trial in the Morris water maze compared to the AD (vehiculum) group (p < 0.05).ConclusionsThe obtained results encourage further research into the protective effect, which may be used as an adjuvant in the treatment of deteriorating cognitive functions.     

Cryptotanshinone,a compound from Salvia miltiorrhiza modulates amyloid precursor protein metabolism and attenuates β-amyloid deposition through upregulating α-secretase in vivo and in vitro

The amyloid precursor protein (APP) is cleaved enzymatically by non-amyloidogenic and amyloidogenic pathways. α-Secretase cleaves APP within β-amyloid protein (Aβ) sequence, resulting in the release of a secreted fragment of APP (sAPPα) and precluding Aβ generation. Cryptotanshinone (CTS), an active component of the medicinal herb Salvia miltiorrhiza, has been shown to improve learning and memory in several pharmacological models of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the effects of CTS on the Aβ plaque pathology and the APP processing in AD are unclear. Here we reported that CTS strongly attenuated amyloid plaque deposition in the brain of APP/PS1 transgenic mice. In addition, CTS significantly improved spatial learning and memory in APP/PS1 mice assessed by the Morris water maze testing. To define the exact molecular mechanisms involved in the beneficial effects of CTS, we investigated the effects of the CTS on APP processing in rat cortical neuronal cells overexpressing Swedish mutant human APP695. CTS was found to decrease Aβ generation in concentration-dependent (0–10 μM) manner. Interestingly, the N-terminal APP cleavage product, sAPPα was markedly increased by CTS. Further study showed that α-secretase activity was increased by CTS. Taken together, our results suggested CTS improved the cognitive ability in AD transgenic mice and promoted APP metabolism toward the non-amyloidogenic products pathway in rat cortical neuronal cells. CTS shows a promising novel way for the therapy of AD.     

Quantitative MRI reveals aging-associated T2 changes in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease

In this study, we used MRI to analyze quantitative parametric maps of transverse (T(2)) relaxation times in a longitudinal study of transgenic mice expressing mutant forms of amyloid precursor protein (APP), presenilin (PS1), or both (PS/APP), modeling aspects of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The main goal was to characterize the effects of progressive beta-amyloid accumulation and deposition on the biophysical environment of water and to investigate if these measurements would provide early indirect evidence of AD pathological changes in the brains of these mice. Our results demonstrate that at an early age before beta-amyloid deposition, only PS/APP mice show a reduced T(2) in the hippocampus and cortex compared with wild-type non-transgenic (NTg) controls, whereas a statistically significant within-group aging-associated decrease in T(2) values is seen in the cortex and hippocampus of all three transgenic genotypes (APP, PS/APP, and PS) but not in the NTg controls. In addition, for animals older than 12 months, we confirmed our previous report that only the two genotypes that form amyloid plaques (APP and PS/APP) have significantly reduced T(2) values compared with NTg controls. Thus, T(2) changes in these AD models can precede amyloid deposition or even occur in AD models that do not deposit beta-amyloid (PS mice), but are intensified in the presence of amyloid deposition.     

Curcumin Ameliorates Memory Deficits by Enhancing Lactate Content and MCT2 Expression in APP/PS1 Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease

Curcumin is a natural product with several anti-Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuroprotective properties. This study aimed to investigate the effects of curcumin on memory deficits, lactate content, and monocarboxylate transporter 2 (MCT2) in APP/PS1 mouse model of AD. APP/PS1 transgenic mice and wild-type (WT) C57BL/6J mice were used in the present study. Spatial learning and memory of the mice was detected using Morris water-maze test. Cerebral cortex and hippocampus lactate contents were detected using lactate assay. MCT2 expression in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus was examined by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Results showed that spatial learning and memory deficits were improved in curcumin-treated APP/PS1 mouse group compared with those in APP/PS1 mice group. Brain lactate content and MCT2 protein level were increased in curcumin-treated APP/PS1 mice than in APP/PS1 mice. In summary, our findings indicate that curcumin could ameliorate memory impairments in APP/PS1 mouse model of AD. This phenomenon may be at least partially due to its improving effect on the lactate content and MCT2 protein expression in the brain. Anat Rec, 302:332–338, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Cognitive impairment and increased Aβ levels induced by paraquat exposure are attenuated by enhanced removal of mitochondrial H(2)O(2)

Pesticide exposure is a risk factor of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, little is known about how pesticide exposure may promote AD pathogenesis. In this study, we investigated the effects of paraquat pesticide exposure on β-amyloid (Aβ) levels and cognition using wild-type (WT) mice and β-amyloid precursor protein (APP) transgenic mice. Our results showed that wild-type mice and APP transgenic mice after paraquat exposure had increased oxidative damage specifically in mitochondria of cerebral cortex and exhibited mitochondrial dysfunction. Moreover, the elevated mitochondrial damage was directly correlated with impaired associative learning and memory and increased Aβ levels in APP transgenic mice exposed to paraquat. Furthermore, overexpression of peroxiredoxin 3, a mitochondrial antioxidant defense enzyme important for H₂O₂ removal, protected against paraquat-induced mitochondrial damage and concomitantly improved cognition and decreased Aβ levels in APP transgenic mice. Therefore, our results demonstrate that mitochondrial damage is a key mechanism underlying cognitive impairment and elevated amyloidogenesis induced by paraquat and that enhanced removal of mitochondrial H₂O₂ could be an effective strategy to ameliorate AD pathogenesis induced by pesticide exposure.     

Genotype-related changes of ganglioside composition in brain regions of transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease

In this study, brain gangliosides of different transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease (AD) were analyzed and compared with age-matched wild-type mice. Gangliosides were analyzed in cerebral cortex, a region with extensive Aβ plaques, and cerebellum, a non-vulnerable region with no Aβ containing plaques. There was a marked increase in simple gangliosides GM2 and GM3 only within the cortex of all mice expressing APP^SL. Additionally, loss of complex “a” gangliosides (GT1a, GD1a and GM1) was recorded in APP/PS1Ki model, whereas in APP^SL and APP/PS1 mice, the complex “b” gangliosides (GQ1b, GT1b and GD1b) moderately decreased. Surprisingly, expression of either mutant PS1^M146L or PS1 mutant FAD (Ki model) alone tended to lower the levels of both GM2 and GM3 within the cortex. Conversely, only slight changes of the ganglioside pattern were found in the cerebellum. Because ganglioside alterations occurring in APP transgenic mice were similar to those observed in human AD brain, these transgenic models would represent valuable tools to further investigate the role of altered ganglioside metabolism in the pathogenesis of AD.     

Altered levels and distribution of IGF-II/M6P receptor and lysosomal enzymes in mutant APP and APP + PS1 transgenic mouse brains

The insulin-like growth factor-II/mannose-6-phosphate (IGF-II/M6P) receptor participates in the trafficking of lysosomal enzymes from the trans-Golgi network or the cell surface to lysosomes. In Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains, marked up-regulation of the lysosomal system in vulnerable neuronal populations has been correlated with altered metabolic functions. To establish whether IGF-II/M6P receptors and lysosomal enzymes are altered in the brain of transgenic mice harboring different familial AD mutations, we measured the levels and distribution of the receptor and lysosomal enzymes cathepsins B and D in select brain regions of transgenic mice overexpressing either mutant presenilin 1 (PS1; PS1(M146L+L286V)), amyloid precursor protein (APP; APP(KM670/671NL+V717F)) or APP+PS1 (APP(KM670/671NL+V717F)+PS1(M146L+L286V)) transgenes. Our results revealed that levels and expression of the IGF-II/M6P receptor and lysosomal enzymes are increased in the hippocampus and frontal cortex of APP and APP+PS1, but not in PS1, transgenic mouse brains compared with wild-type controls. The changes were more prominent in APP+PS1 than in APP single transgenic mice. Additionally, all beta-amyloid-containing neuritic plaques in the hippocampal and cortical regions of APP and APP+PS1 transgenic mice were immunopositive for both lysosomal enzymes, whereas only a subset of the plaques displayed IGF-II/M6P receptor immunoreactivity. These results suggest that up-regulation of the IGF-II/M6P receptor and lysosomal enzymes in neurons located in vulnerable regions reflects an altered functioning of the endosomal-lysosomal system which may be associated with the increased intracellular and/or extracellular A beta deposits observed in APP and APP+PS1 transgenic mouse brains.     

Age-related changes of neuron numbers in the frontal cortex of a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by amyloid plaque accumulation, intracellular tangles and neuronal loss in selective brain regions. The frontal cortex, important for executive functioning, is one of the regions that are affected. Here, we investigated the neurodegenerative effects of mutant human amyloid precursor protein (APP) and presenilin 1 (PS1) on frontal cortex neurons in APP/PS1KI mice, a transgenic mouse model of AD, expressing two mutations in the human APP, as well as two human PS1 mutations knocked-in into the mouse PS1 gene in a homozygous (ho) manner. Although the hippocampus is significantly affected in these mice, very little is known about the effects of these mutations on selective neuronal populations and plaque load in the frontal cortex. In this study, cytoarchitectural changes were characterized using high precision design-based stereology to evaluate plaque load, total neuron numbers, as well as total numbers of parvalbumin- (PV) and calretinin- (CR) immunoreactive (ir) neurons in the frontal cortex of 2- and 10-month-old APP/PS1KI mice. The frontal cortex was divided into two subfields: layers II–IV and layers V–VI, the latter of which showed substantially more extracellular amyloid-beta aggregates. We found a 34% neuron loss in layers V–VI in the frontal cortex of 10-month-old APP/PS1KI mice compared to 2-month-old, while there was no change in PV- and CR-ir neurons in these mice. In addition, the plaque load in layers V–VI of 10-month-old APP/PS1KI mice was only 11% and did not fully account for the extent of neuronal loss. Interestingly, an increase was found in the total number of PV-ir neurons in all frontal cortical layers of single transgenic APP mice and in layers II–IV of single transgenic PS1ho mice between 2 and 10 months of age. In conclusion, the APP/PS1KI mice provide novel insights into the regional selective vulnerability in the frontal cortex during AD that, together with previous findings in the hippocampus, are remarkably similar to the human situation.     

APP/PS1双转基因AD小鼠早期内质网应激诱导的凋亡

目的观察APP/PS1双转基因AD小鼠神经细胞凋亡,及内质网分子伴侣葡萄糖调节蛋白（GRP78）和内质网促凋亡因子半胱氨酸蛋白酶-12（Caspase-12）表达的改变,探讨APP/PS1双转基因AD小鼠早期内质网应激诱导的凋亡。方法选取5、7月龄的APP/PS1双转基因小鼠和同月龄同背景的野生型小鼠（WT）,分为5月龄WT组、5月龄APP/PS1组、7月龄WT组和7月龄APP/PS1组,每组6只,应用原位细胞凋亡检测法（TUNEL）检测凋亡细胞,免疫组织化学方法检测其脑内GRP78和Caspase-12的表达水平。结果 TUNEL检测凋亡率分别为7月龄APP/PS1鼠（35.0±6.31）%、5月龄APP/PS1鼠（9.0±2.78）%、7月龄WT鼠（4.0±1.89）%、5月龄WT鼠（4.0±1.83）%,其中7月龄APP/PS1鼠凋亡率显著升高（P〈0.05）;免疫组织化学检测GRP78阳性率分别为7月龄APP/PS1鼠（30.0±5.43）%、5月龄APP/PS1鼠（10.0±2.12）%、7月龄WT鼠（2.0±1.71）%、5月龄WT鼠（3.0±1.41）%,7月龄APP/PS1鼠GRP78表达明显升高（P〈0.05）;免疫组织化学检测Caspase-12阳性率分别为7月龄APP/PS1鼠（33.0±5.98）%、5月龄APP/PS1鼠（12.0±2.60）%、7月龄WT鼠（4.0±2.56）%、5月龄WT鼠（2.0±1.79）%,7月龄APP/PS1鼠Caspase-12表达明显升高（P〈0.05）。结论 7月龄的APP/PS1双转基因小鼠出现了内质网应激诱导的凋亡。本实验结果为临床AD早期预防和治疗提供了重要依据。     

盐酸多奈派齐对APP/PSl双转基因AD小鼠海马PI3K表达的影响美满霉素对帕金森病大鼠黑质多巴胺能神经元损伤的保护作用

目的本实验利用APP/PS1双转基因阿尔茨海默病(AIzheimer disease,AD)小鼠模型,观察盐酸多奈派齐对AD小鼠学习记忆能力及海马磷脂酰肌醇3激酶(phosphoinositide 3-kinases,PI3K)表达的影响。方法 APP/PS1双转基因模型小鼠20只,随机分为AD模型组(10)和盐酸多奈派齐组(10),再取同窝阴性小鼠10只,作为对照组。经跳台试验和水迷宫试验进行行为学测试,用免疫组化方法检测各组小鼠海马PI3K的表达变化。结果与对照组相比,AD模型组小鼠的学习和记忆成绩明显降低(<0.05);相比于AD模型组小鼠,盐酸多奈哌齐组小鼠的学习和记忆成绩明显提高(<0.05)。免疫组化检测结果证明,盐酸多奈哌齐组小鼠和对照组小鼠海马PI3K蛋白阳性表达明显增加,平均光密度值分别为(0.48±0.19)和(0.74±0.22),显著高于AD模型组(0.31±0.10,<0.05)。Western blot结果发现,盐酸多奈哌齐组小鼠和对照组小鼠海马PI3K蛋白的平均光密度值分别为(0.39±0.09)和(0.61±0.21),显著高于AD模型组(0.26±0.07,<0.05)。结论 AD小鼠海马区PI3K的表达上调可能是盐酸多奈哌齐改善AD小鼠学习和记忆功能的机制之一。     

β淀粉样蛋白及代谢酶类在阿尔茨海默病和糖尿病模型小鼠脑内的表达

目的观察阿尔茨海默病(AD)和糖尿病模型小鼠脑内β淀粉样蛋白(Aβ)及代谢相关酶类的表达情况,以便从分子水平找到糖尿病并发AD的实验室依据。方法 5月龄双转基因痴呆症模型小鼠(APP/PS1双转基因小鼠)、ob/ob T2DM肥胖模型小鼠和野生型C57BL/6J小鼠为对照,分别用免疫组化染色、ELISA和Western blot检测脑内老年斑(SP)、Aβ含量及Aβ代谢酶类的表达情况。结果 APP/PS1小鼠大脑皮质及海马均可见一定数量的SP;ob/ob小鼠大脑皮质内偶可见SP,而对照组未见SP。与对照小鼠相比,APP/PS1与ob/ob小鼠脑内Aβ40、Aβ42的含量明显升高(P0.05);但APP/PS1小鼠脑内Aβ水平显著高于ob/ob小鼠(P0.05)。APP在APP/PS1小鼠脑内的表达显著高于其他两组小鼠;在ob/ob小鼠脑内的表达要强于对照小鼠(P0.05)。Aβ生成的关键酶BACE1在APP/PS1与ob/ob小鼠脑内的表达显著高于对照小鼠(P0.05),但其在APP/PS1小鼠脑内的表达要强于ob/ob小鼠(P0.05)。Aβ降解的关键酶IDE在APP/PS1与ob/ob小鼠脑内的表达显著低于对照小鼠(P0.05),且在ob/ob小鼠脑内表达最低。结论 Aβ生成与降解的异常以及其异常聚集沉积不仅发生在早期AD脑内,同时也发生在T2DM脑内,提示Aβ过表达可能是促进2型糖尿病并发AD的重要原因之一。     

MyD88 Is Dispensable for Cerebral Amyloidosis and Neuroinflammation in APP/PS1 Transgenic Mice

Activated microglia are associated with amyloid plaques in transgenic mouse models of cerebral amyloidosis and in human Alzheimer disease; yet, their implication in Alzheimer disease pathogenesis remains unclear. It has been suggested that microglia play dual roles depending on the context of activation, contributing negatively to disease pathogenesis by secreting proinflammatory innate cytokines or performing a beneficial role via phagocytosis of amyloid beta (Aβ) deposits. Toll-like receptors, most of which signal through the adaptor protein myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), have been suggested as candidate Aβ innate pattern recognition receptors. It was recently reported that MyD88 deficiency reduced brain amyloid pathology and microglial activation. To assess a putative role of MyD88 in cerebral amyloidosis and glial activation in APPswe/PS1ΔE9 (APP/PS1) mice, we crossed MyD88-deficient (MyD88^−/−) mice with APP/PS1 mice, interbred first filial offspring, and studied APP/PS1 MyD88^+/+, APP/PS1 MyD88^+/−, and APP/PS1 MyD88^−/− cohorts. Biochemical analysis of detergent-soluble and detergent-insoluble Aβ_1-40 or Aβ_1-42 in brain homogenates did not reveal significant between-group differences. Furthermore, no significant differences were observed on amyloid plaque load or soluble fibrillar Aβ by quantitative immunohistochemical analysis. In addition, neither activated microglia nor astrocytes differed among the three groups. These data suggest that MyD88 signaling is dispensable for Aβ-induced glial activation and does not significantly affect the nature or extent of cerebral β-amyloidosis in APP/PS1 mice.Alzheimer disease (AD) is an insidious public health threat characterized by deposition of β-amyloid as senile plaques, formation of neurofibrillary tangles, and large-scale cortical neuronal loss leading to dementia. In addition to these pathognomonic features of the disease, AD patients exhibit low-level chronic neuroinflammation. This is hallmarked by the spatial and temporal occurrence of activated microglia with amyloid beta (Aβ) deposits. Yet, the mechanisms by which microglia recognize and respond to Aβ accumulation remain unclear. Current evidence suggests that there are varied forms of activated microglia in AD, some of which are detrimental and others beneficial.¹ Because microglial activation is a complex continuum of varied responses,² it stands to reason that a wide array of immune molecules may orchestrate microglial responses to Aβ. Ultimately, a clearer understanding of the pathways leading to beneficial microglial responses and clearance of misfolded proteins could open new avenues for AD treatment.Numerous recent studies have proposed that Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a role in the microglial response to Aβ and, more specifically, that aggregated Aβ can activate microglia via TLRs.^3–11 Most TLRs (except TLR3) signal through the adaptor protein myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), suggesting that it may play an important role in microglial activation in response to cerebral amyloid accumulation. To test this possibility, two recent studies crossed MyD88 knockout mice with APP/PS1 mouse models of cerebral amyloid deposition and examined effects on cognitive deficits and AD-like pathology. In one study, it was reported that MyD88 deficiency of the doubly transgenic APPswe/PS1dE9 mouse reduced cerebral amyloid pathology and microglial activation and decreased expression of CX3CR1 in 10-month-old animals.¹² Lim and coworkers¹² suggested that inhibiting MyD88-associated TLR signaling would alter the microglial activation state, and they reported less cerebral amyloid deposition in this cross. However, their findings were perplexing given previous reports showing that activation of TLRs leads to decreased amyloid load and increased Aβ phagocytosis, leading to the hypothesis that MyD88 deficiency would either cause buildup of amyloid or have no effect on amyloid levels in APP/PS1 mice.^{4,6,11,13–15} Another recent study published findings more consistent with this hypothesis, demonstrating that APPswe/PS1A246E mice heterozygous for MyD88 had accelerated spatial learning and memory deficits and increased levels of soluble Aβ oligomers. These results led the authors to conclude that MyD88-mediated activation of microglia was protective in the context of cerebral amyloid deposition.¹⁶ In an attempt to clarify the uncertainty surrounding this critical question, we crossed APPswe/PS1dE9 (APP/PS1) mice with MyD88 knockout (MyD88^−/−) mice (both on a C57BL/6 background) and analyzed APP/PS1 MyD88^+/+, APP/PS1 MyD88^+/−, and APP/PS1 MyD88^−/− cohorts for Alzheimer-like pathology at 15 months of age.     

Amyloid precursor protein increases cortical neuron size in transgenic mice

The amyloid precursor protein (APP) is the source of beta-amyloid, a pivotal peptide in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study examines the possible effect of APP transgene expression on neuronal size by measuring the volumes of cortical neurons (microm(3)) in transgenic mouse models with familial AD Swedish mutation (APPswe), with or without mutated presenilin1 (PS1dE9), as well as in mice carrying wild-type APP (APPwt). Overexpression of APPswe and APPwt protein, but not of PS1dE9 alone, resulted in a greater percentage of medium-sized neurons and a proportionate decrease in the percentage of small-sized neurons. Our observations indicate that the overexpression of mutant (APPswe) or wild-type APP in transgenic mice is necessary and sufficient for hypertrophy of cortical neurons. This is highly suggestive of a neurotrophic effect and also raises the possibility that the lack of neuronal loss in transgenic mouse models of AD may be attributed to overexpression of APP.     

淀粉样蛋白前体/早老素1转基因小鼠大脑皮质内kinesin1介导的神经元轴浆运输障碍

目的 探讨轴突运输蛋白,kinesin1和神经丝蛋白（SIM-312）在阿尔茨海默病(AD)发生、发展中的作用。 方法 出生后30～360 d淀粉样蛋白前体（APP）/早老素1（PS1）转基因小鼠（n＝40）和野生型小鼠（n＝40）用于此研究,利用免疫荧光染色和Western blotting技术检测上述两种小鼠大脑皮层内老年斑的沉积及星形胶质细胞的分布以及在大脑皮质发育过程中kinesin1和SIM-312阳性细胞个数及蛋白的表达变化。 结果 APP/PS1转基因小鼠与正常对照组相比,β-淀粉样蛋白（Aβ）斑块增多,星形胶质细胞数目增多,神经元减少;而kinesin1阳性细胞的数量在APP/PS1转基因小鼠生长发育过程中减少,且在出生9月（P9M）之后与野生型小鼠之间差异存在着显著性 (P<0.05);SIM-312标记的神经丝蛋白随着年龄的增长自P6M之后开始出现缠结现象。 结论 Kinesin1和SIM-312的异常改变导致神经元中轴浆运输障碍以及AD的病理变化。     

侧脑室注射吡咯喹啉醌对大鼠海马结构的影响

观察吡咯喹啉醌(pyrroloquinoline quinone,PQQ)对大鼠海马神经细胞结构的影响。侧脑室注射PQQ,60d后行脑组织切片并进行HE和尼氏染色,观察大鼠海马组织的形态学变化。用免疫组化法观察胆碱乙酰基转移酶的表达情况。结果表明,与对照组相比,PQQ处理后,大鼠海马神经细胞胞体和核增大,神经细胞的密度增加,尼氏小体的光密度值增加,此变化呈剂量依赖性。大剂量的PQQ处理后,海马神经元的胞体和核变小,细胞的凋亡率增加。胆碱乙酰基转移酶的表达量随PQQ刺激而增加。此结果表明,PQQ能促进鼠海马神经细胞的生长发育,但过大剂量PQQ则具有神经毒性作用。     

Early temporal short-term memory deficits in double transgenic APP/PS1 mice

We tested single APP (Tg2576) transgenic, PS1 (PS1dE9) transgenic, and double APP/PS1 transgenic mice at 3 and 6 months of age on the acquisition of a hippocampal-dependent operant “differential reinforcement of low rate schedule” (DRL) paradigm. In this task mice are required to wait for at least 10 seconds (DRL-10s) between 2 consecutive nose poke responses. Our data showed that while single APP and PS1 transgene expression did not affect DRL learning and performance, mice expressing double APP/PS1 transgenes were impaired in the acquisition of DRL-10s at 6 months, but not at 3 months of age. The same impaired double transgenic mice, however, were perfectly capable of normal acquisition of signaled DRL-10s (SDRL-10s) task, a hippocampal-independent task, wherein mice were required to emit responses when the end of the 10-second delay was signaled by a lighting of the chamber. The age-dependent and early deficits of APP/PS1 mice suggest that the appetitive DRL paradigm is sensitive to the amyloid pathology present in double APP/PS1 mice, and that this mouse line represents a good model with which to study the efficacy of therapeutic strategies against Alzheimer's disease.     

APP/PS1转基因小鼠海马内少突胶质细胞变化的体视学研究

目的:定量研究APP/PS1转基因小鼠海马内少突胶质细胞(OLG)的改变,探讨β-淀粉样蛋白(Aβ)对OLG的影响。方法:随机选取10月龄雄性APP/PS1转基因小鼠(AD组)和10月龄同窝生雄性野生型小鼠(WT组)各13只,运用Morris水迷宫检测各组小鼠的空间学习和记忆能力;运用体视学方法计数各组小鼠海马CA1、CA2-3和齿状回(DG)内Olig2+细胞和2',3'-环核苷酸3'-磷酸二酯酶(CNPase)阳性细胞总数;体外培养小鼠少突胶质前体细胞(MOPC),给予Aβ1-42,运用real time RT-PCR和Western Blot检测OLG相关蛋白的表达水平和含量。结果:AD小鼠逃避潜伏期显著性长于WT小鼠(P<0.05),穿台次数显著性少于WT小鼠(P<0.05);AD小鼠海马各区Olig2+细胞总数均较WT小鼠显著性增加(P<0.05),且与逃避潜伏期呈正相关,与穿台次数呈负相关,而各区CNPase+细胞总数均较WT小鼠显著性减少(P<0.05),且与逃避潜伏期呈负相关;Aβ1-42干预后MOPC的NG2及CNPase的mRNA水平显著性降低(P<0.05),Olig2含量也显著性降低(P<0.05)。结论:APP/PS1转基因小鼠海马内存在成熟OLG丢失、少突胶质细胞系异常增殖;Aβ可能引起OLG损伤和发育异常;保护海马成熟OLG以及调控OLG发育可能是防治AD的有效策略。