DMT1在APP/PS1转基因小鼠大脑皮层老年斑内的定位研究

目的研究二价金属离子转运体1(divalent metal transporter 1,DMT1)在APP/PS1转基因小鼠大脑皮层内的定位分布,探讨DMT1异常表达影响脑铁代谢平衡从而参与AD发病的可能机制。方法应用免疫组织化学方法观察DMT1在9月龄APPsw/PS1小鼠大脑皮层的阳性分布;应用免疫荧光双标技术和共聚焦激光扫描显微镜观察DMT1蛋白和β淀粉样蛋白(β-amyloid peptide,Aβ)在APP/PS1转基因小鼠大脑皮层老年斑内的一致性分布和位置关系。结果APP/PS1转基因小鼠大脑皮层老年斑内均有DMT1阳性表达;DMT1和Aβ免疫双标发现DMT1免疫阳性产物与Aβ共存于老年斑,二者分布具有一致性。结论DMT1在APP/PS1转基因小鼠大脑皮层老年斑内大量表达,其分布与Aβ具有一致性,提示DMT1可能参与AD脑内Aβ沉积和老年斑形成。     

锌转运体ZNT7在小鼠视网膜的定位分布

目的研究锌转运体-7(zinc transporter 7,ZNT7)在小鼠视网膜的定位和分布。方法应用免疫组织化学技术检测CD-1小鼠视网膜内的ZNT7免疫反应产物的表达。结果ZNT7在小鼠视网膜内分布广泛,在神经节细胞和色素上皮细胞内ZNT7免疫阳性反应产物的表达最丰富,在无长突细胞和视神经纤维层中ZNT7免疫阳性反应产物为中等程度的表达,在内网层、外网层和光感受器外节中ZNT7免疫阳性染色较淡,在外核层和光感受器内节中ZNT7几乎没有表达。结论ZNT7可能在维持视网膜锌稳态过程中起到重要的作用。     

ZnT3与Aβ在APP/PS1转基因小鼠脑血管及脉络丛的一致性分布

目的研究锌转运蛋白3(Zinc Transporter 3,ZnT3)与β-淀粉样蛋白(β-amyloid,Aβ)在APP/PS1转基因小鼠大脑血管壁及脉络丛上皮的定位分布,探讨ZnT3影响脑锌平衡从而参与AD发病的可能机制。方法应用免疫荧光技术和共聚焦激光扫描显微镜观察ZnT3和Aβ在APP/PS1转基因小鼠大脑血管壁及脉络丛上皮的共存情况。结果APP/PS1转基因小鼠侧脑室及第三、四脑室的脉络丛上皮细胞均呈ZnT3和Aβ染色阳性,二者共同表达于上皮细胞的胞质内,而细胞核未见任何着色。在APP/PS1转基因小鼠大脑皮层中,几乎所有Aβ阳性的血管壁上均有ZnT3的表达,二者的分布同样具有一致性。结论ZnT3与Aβ在APP/PS1转基因小鼠大脑血管及脉络丛上皮的一致性分布,提示ZnT3可能参与Aβ在大脑血管及脉络丛上皮的沉积。     

β-淀粉样蛋白和drebrin在培养的APP/PS1转基因小鼠神经元中的表达

目的: 探讨阿尔茨海默病(AD)脑内β-淀粉样蛋白(Aβ)积聚与树突棘蛋白drebrin表达变化之间的关系.方法: 采用免疫细胞化学、ELISA和免疫印迹法等方法检测大脑皮层原代培养的APP/PS1转基因小鼠的神经元和同种野生型(WT)小鼠的神经元Aβ和drebrin的表达.结果: 培养至12d (days in vitro)时,可见Aβ在APP/PS1神经元胞体内聚集,培养基内的Aβ水平也同时升高;此期神经元内drebrin斑点状免疫反应产物分布较为稀疏,drebrin的表达水平下降.18d时,Aβ在胞体内聚集的基础上,向突起内延伸,培养基内的Aβ水平进一步升高;drebrin的表达则明显下降.结论: 原代培养的APP/PS1小鼠神经元内Aβ积聚的同时,树突棘蛋白drebrin的表达下降.提示AD脑内Aβ积聚可能是影响树突棘蛋白drebrin表达的因素之一.     

β-淀粉样蛋白的神经毒性与跨膜离子转运

Alzheimer' s Disease,( AD)已成为影响老年人健康和寿命的突出问题。一般公认 ,脑内出现高密度的老年斑和神经纤维缠结是 AD的病理学特征。老年斑的主要成分是 β-淀粉样蛋白 ( Amyloidβ-Protein,AβP) [1 .2 ]。AβP由 40～ 42个氨基酸组成 ,是 β-淀粉样蛋白前体 βAPP的裂解产物。βAPP的编码基因位于 2 1号染色体 ,在正常人脑以及其它器官也有表达。因此 ,βAPP和 AβP在正常细胞的功能意义已受到人们的注意 ,对此问题的了解可能有助于阐明它们在 AD发病中的意义。目前积累的资料主要涉及到 AβP的神经毒作用[3 ] 。本文从…     

APP/PS1双转基因小鼠大脑皮质老年斑的病变对其学习记忆能力的影响

β-淀粉样蛋白(Aβ)沉积形成的老年斑是Alzheimer’s disease(AD)的主要病理特点,学习记忆功能障碍是其行为学的重要变化。为探讨老年斑对学习记忆的影响,本实验用17、28、44周C57系APP/PS1双转基因小鼠各4只,同龄野生型C57小鼠做对照,用Y-型迷宫方法比较不同年龄的AD模型鼠和C57鼠学习记忆能力的差异,利用免疫组织化学方法检测小鼠大脑皮质老年斑的病理变化,并比较AD模型鼠脑内老年斑的病变与其学习记忆能力改变之间的关系。结果显示:17周和28周AD模型鼠的学习记忆能力的各测试指标与对照组相应指标间均相差不显著(P>0.05),而44周AD模型鼠的学习记忆能力明显下降,各项指标与对照组相比具有显著性(P<0.01)。17周AD模型鼠脑切片上,可见大脑皮质内有少量老年斑的形成,而44周AD鼠皮质内斑块数量明显增多,体积明显增大。本结果提示老年斑的病变在一定程度上影响了其行为学的改变,这可能与β-淀粉样蛋白沉积继发的神经元缺失密切相关。     

慢性脑血流低灌注对大鼠脑内β-淀粉样肽的影响

目的 研究慢性脑血流低灌注对大鼠脑内β-淀粉样肽(Aβ)及淀粉样前体蛋白(APP)表达和分布的影响. 方法双侧颈总动脉结扎大鼠制作慢性脑血流低灌注动物模型,应用免疫组织化学方法检测皮质和海马CA1区APP、Aβ1-40、Aβ1-42的表达与分布;刚果红染色检测血管的淀粉样变;放射免疫分析法检测手术后10d、30d、90d和180d大鼠脑皮质及海马的Aβ含量;免疫印迹法检测大脑皮质和海马的APP含量. 结果 免疫组织化学染色显示低灌注90d模型组海马CA1区APP、Aβ1-40的表达较对照组明显增加(两者均P<0.05),低灌注180d模型组皮质和海马CA1区APP、Aβ1-40和Aβ1-42的表达均增加(除皮质Aβ1-40P<0.01外,其余均P<0.05);Aβ1-40阳性反应产物均匀分布于胞质内,Aβ1-42阳性反应产物在神经元胞质内呈颗粒状聚集.刚果红染色显示,术后180d脑实质内小血管发生淀粉样改变.放射免疫分析法和免疫印迹法结果显示,大鼠术后90d海马Aβ和APP含量开始增高(两者均P<0.05),180d皮质Aβ和APP的含量增高(Aβ P<0.05,APP P<0.01). 结论 慢性脑血流低灌注可引发大鼠脑内Aβ含量的升高,可能在阿尔茨海默病(AD)早期发病过程中有重要意义.     

淀粉样蛋白膜内片段疫苗对APP转基因小鼠的治疗研究

目的依据淀粉样蛋白膜内片段(intramembranous fragments of amyloid-β,IF-Aβ)的膜定位和小分子特点,在体研究IF-Aβ疫苗对淀粉样前体蛋白(amyloid precursor protein,APP)转基因(transgenic,Tg)小鼠的治疗作用,以期寻找较Aβ42更安全有效的治疗阿尔茨海默病(alzheimer’s disease,AD)的治疗疫苗。方法分别用PBS、KLH-IF-Aβ(50μg/只)、KLH-IF-Aβ(100μg/只)和KLH-Aβ42(100μg/只)免疫对照组、IF50组、IF100组和Aβ42组6月龄APP Tg C57BL/6J小鼠,共4次2.5月;水迷宫检测APP Tg小鼠认知功能变化;ELISA检测血清抗体和脾细胞释放γ-干扰素;组织学检测模型鼠大脑老年斑的变化;评价免疫APP Tg小鼠大脑淋巴细胞浸润情况。结果免疫4个月后,IF-Aβ疫苗对APP转基因小鼠具有良好的体液和细胞免疫原性;IF50组小鼠的认知功能加强,大脑皮层区老年斑有所减少,大脑皮层和海马区无明显的淋巴细胞浸润;IF100组小鼠的认知功能下降,大脑皮层老年斑明显减少,大脑皮层和海马区出现明显的淋巴细胞浸润;Aβ42组小鼠认知功能有所提高,大脑皮层老年斑明显减少,大脑皮层和海马区出现淋巴细胞浸润。结论在合适的免疫剂量下,与Aβ42比较,IF-Aβ对APP转基因模型小鼠的治疗更加安全有效,为AD免疫治疗的临床研究开辟了一个新的良好前景。     

阿尔茨海默病患者血清中抗淀粉样蛋白抗体的免疫耐受

目的:研究阿尔茨海默病(AD)血清中抗Aβ抗体与淀粉样蛋白结合的特性。方法:以AD患者和健康老人的血清作一抗,①用组织淀粉样斑块免疫反应(TAPIR)观察与Tg2576鼠脑内老年斑结合能力;②Western blot检测与Aβ42-GST融合蛋白的结合能力;③将Aβ42与PC12细胞培养,加入健康老人和AD患者的血清后,MTT法观察PC12细胞存活率。结果:AD患者的血清中抗Aβ抗体与成熟老年斑和Aβ42-GST融合蛋白的结合能力较弱;加入AD血清后,PC12细胞的A值较健康老人血清相比下降明显(P<0.01)。结论:AD血清中抗Aβ抗体对淀粉样蛋白可能存在着免疫耐受。     

神经节苷脂促进β-淀粉样蛋白生成及其二者协同分布

目的：探讨神经节苷脂GMl干扰β—淀粉样蛋白前体(APP)正常代谢途径以及增加β—淀粉样蛋白(Aβ)生成的可能机制，以确立GMl在阿尔获海默病(AD)脑淀粉样变性过程中的特定作用。方法：选用人类β—淀粉样蛋白前体基因(APP695)转染细胞模型，用IP—westem印迹法观察GMl，对细胞APP代谢产物Aβ释放的影响；应用激光共聚焦扫描显微术(LSCM)分别定量分析不同浓度GMl作用下细胞内Aβ40刚和Aβ42荧光强度的变化；通过双重免疫荧光标记确定GMl与巩和Aβ40或Aβ42的协同定位分布。结果：GMl干扰细胞APP水解代谢和促进Aβ的释放；细胞内Aβ40和巩荧光强度均随GMl浓度的增加而增强；内、外源性GMl分别与Aβ40和Aβ42在细胞内协同定位。结论；提示GMl通过与Aβ的协同分布，直接参与或促进AD脑老年斑淀粉样病变的发生。     

Detection of Aβ Plaques by a Novel Specific MRI Probe Precursor CR‐BSA‐(Gd‐DTPA)n in APP/PS1 Transgenic Mice

Amyloid plaques are one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The lack of specific probes that can detect individual senile plaques in AD has prompted the development of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) probes. In this study, based on DTPA‐gadolinium (III) and congo red (CR), a novel specific MRI probe precursor CR‐BSA‐(Gd‐DTPA)n was successfully synthesized. Its ability to bind to amyloid plaques was evaluated by brain sections from APP/PS1 transgenic mice. Its specificity for Aβ plaques was further demonstrated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining with the monoclonal antibody to the Aβ protein. Meanwhile, the amyloid deposits detected by the CR‐BSA‐(Gd‐DTPA)n were matched to the amyloid deposits detected by Aβ specific antibody. We also found that a few amyloid‐like deposits which was not detected by IHC. The findings indicated that the probe perhaps could detect the neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) similar to the effect of CR itself, and this will be verified in future experiments. The works suggested that the Aβ protein‐specific magnetic resonance contrast agent precursor CR‐BSA‐(Gd‐DTPA)n can be used as a potential fluorescence and MR multi‐modal imaging probe precursor to display individual senile plaques in AD. Anat Rec, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Clusterin Associates Specifically with Aβ40 in Alzheimer's Disease Brain Tissue

Genome‐wide association studies have pointed to clusterin (apolipoprotein J) as being linked to the occurrence of Alzheimer's disease (AD); studies have identified the protein as a possible biomarker. The association between clusterin and senile plaques in AD brain is well known, and clusterin levels in AD brain are 40% higher than that in control subjects. The present study investigates, immunohistochemically, the association between clusterin and Aβ peptides in AD and control cortex. A unique and specific association between clusterin and Aβ40 was observed in plaques in the cerebral cortex from AD subjects in that only plaques that contained Aβ40 showed clusterin immunoreactivity, while the many plaques with Aβ42 alone lacked clusterin labeling. Cerebrovascular Aβ in AD brain generally lacked Aβ42 but was positively labeled by both the Aβ40 and the clusterin antibodies. In control subjects, however, Aβ40 was absent from plaques, although very occasional plaques were found to be labeled by both the Aβ42 and the clusterin antibodies. Overall, in AD, but not aged control brain, clusterin was associated specifically with the Aβ40 form of Aβ in the brain. The lack of clusterin in association with Aβ42 may be a significant feature in neuronal loss and neurodegeneration in the disease state.     

Accumulation of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in senile plaques in brain tissue of patients with Alzheimer's disease.

The still unsolved pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been the subject of extensive speculation. Some years ago, a local acute phase reaction involving production of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-6 was proposed as the triggering event in AD. Since it has been reported that these cytokines induce expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), we analyzed AD brain tissue cryosections for the presence of ICAM-1 by immunostaining and for ICAM-2 expression as a control. In senile plaques a marked diffuse or granular staining for the ICAM-1 domains 1, 4, and 5 was observed, whereas ICAM-2 expression was observed in microglial cells. Immunoprecipitation analysis demonstrated the presence of a 85 kd ICAM-1 molecule in AD frontal cortex. Our findings indicate that ICAM-1 accumulates in senile plaques as a complete 5-domain molecule at a relatively early stage of senile plaque formation. Our results are in support of a cytokine-mediated pathogenesis of senile plaque formation.     

Differential pathways for interleukin-1β production activated by chromogranin A and amyloid β in microglia

Although chromogranin A (CGA) is frequently present in Alzheimer's disease (AD), senile plaques associated with microglial activation, little is known about basic difference between CGA and fibrillar amyloid-β (fAβ) as neuroinflammatory factors. Here we have compared the interleukin-1β (IL-1β) production pathways by CGA and fAβ in microglia. In cultured microglia, production of IL-1β was induced by CGA, but not by fAβ. CGA activated both nuclear factor–κB (NF-κB) and pro–caspase-1, whereas fAβ activated pro–caspase-1 only. For the activation of pro–caspase-1, both CGA and fAβ needed the enzymatic activity of cathepsin B (CatB), but only fAβ required cytosolic leakage of CatB and the NLRP3 inflammasome activation. In contrast, fAβ induced the IL-1β secretion from microglia isolated from the aged mouse brain. In AD brain, highly activated microglia, which showed intense immunoreactivity for CatB and IL-1β, surrounded CGA-positive plaques more frequently than Aβ-positive plaques. These observations indicate differential pathways for the microglial IL-1β production by CGA and fAβ, which may aid in better understanding of the pathological significance of neuroinflammation in AD.     

Deposition of lactoferrin in fibrillar-type senile plaques in the brains of transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease

We and others have previously reported that lactoferrin (LF), which acts as both an iron-binding protein and an inflammatory modulator, is strongly up-regulated in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). We have also studied the expression and localization of LF mRNA in the brain cortices of patients with AD. In this study, we investigated immunohistochemically the localization of LF in the brains of APP-transgenic mice, representing a model of AD. No LF immunoreactivity was detected in the brains of the wild-type mice. In the transgenic AD mice, LF deposition was detected in the brains. Double-immunofluorescence staining with antibodies directed against the amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) and LF localized the LF depositions to amyloid deposits (senile plaques) and regions of amyloid angiopathy. Senile plaque formation precedes LF deposition in AD. In the transgenic mice aged <18 months, most of senile plaques were negative for LF. LF deposits appeared weakly at about 18 months of age in these mice. Both the intensity and number of LF-positive depositions in the transgenic mice increased with age. Double-staining for LF and thioflavin-S revealed that LF accumulated in thioflavin-S-positive, fibrillar-type senile plaques. The up-regulation of LF in the brains of both AD patients and the transgenic mouse model of AD provides evidence of an important role for LF in AD-affected brain tissues.     

Nardilysin prevents amyloid plaque formation by enhancing α-secretase activity in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model

Amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide, the main component of senile plaques in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), is derived from proteolytic cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP) by β- and γ-secretases. Alpha-cleavage of APP by α-secretase has a potential to preclude the generation of Aβ because it occurs within the Aβ domain. We previously reported that a metalloendopeptidase, nardilysin (N-arginine dibasic convertase; NRDc) enhances α-cleavage of APP, which results in the decreased generation of Aβ in vitro. To clarify the in vivo role of NRDc in AD, we intercrossed transgenic mice expressing NRDc in the forebrain with an AD mouse model. Here we demonstrate that the neuron-specific overexpression of NRDc prevents Aβ deposition in the AD mouse model. The activity of α-secretase in the mouse brain was enhanced by the overexpression of NRDc, and was reduced by the deletion of NRDc. However, reactive gliosis adjacent to the Aβ plaques, one of the pathological features of AD, was not affected by the overexpression of NRDc. Taken together, our results indicate that NRDc controls Aβ formation through the regulation of α-secretase.     

Histopathological and immunohistochemical comparison of the brain of human patients with Alzheimer's disease and the brain of aged dogs with cognitive dysfunction

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common progressive form of dementia in aged people. Microscopical changes in the brains of AD patients include the formation of senile plaques (SPs), neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and granulovacuolar degeneration and the deposition of amyloid-beta (Aβ). Aged dogs are known to suffer from cognitive dysfunction and this state is associated with deposition of Aβ in the brain. The aim of the present study was to investigate tau phosphorylation of neurons and astrocytes in the brain of aged dogs with progressive cognitive impairment. Changes in the brain of aged dogs with cognitive dysfunction were compared with those in the brain of patients with AD of Braak stage V. Immunohistochemically, Aβ deposition, phosphorylated tau Ser396 (p-tau Ser396) and ubiquitin were observed in the parietal cortex and hippocampus of aged dogs with cognitive dysfunction. Astrocytes with expression of p-tau Ser396 and neurons with co-localization of p-tau Ser396 and ubiquitin were observed. Expression of p-tau Ser396 and accumulation of ubiquitin were significantly increased in the parietal cortex and dorsal part of the hippocampus of the brain of aged dogs when compared with expression of these molecules in human AD.     

Effects of experimental intracerebral ventricular injection of amyloid beta peptide (1-42) aggregates on daily rhythms of Aβ-degrading enzymes in the hippocampus: Relevance to Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology

One of the main pathological features in the Alzheimer disease (AD) is the presence of senile plaques, primarily composed of Aβ peptide aggregates, in cortex and hippocampus. AD late onset, which constitutes 90% of cases, could be mainly attributable to deficiencies in the clearance of the Aß peptide. Here we show that expression of Aβ-degrading enzymes varies on a daily basis in the hippocampus. Interestingly, an intracerebroventricular injection of Aβ aggregates modified temporal patterns of Aβ-degrading proteases, as well as clock proteins (BMAL1 and RORα) and antioxidant enzymes (CAT and GPx) daily rhythms. Our findings showed that the increase of Aβ leads to the alteration of the enzymes involved in the clearance, and, consequently, to an increase of oxidative stress and alteration of the cellular redox state, affecting the functioning of the endogenous clock and daily rhythms of BMAL1, RORα and their target genes, in this disease.     

Cloning,sequencing and expression in the dog of the main amyloid precursor protein isoforms and some of the enzymes related with their processing

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by neuronal loss and the presence of both neurofibrillary tangles and senile plaques in the brain. These plaques arise from the deposition of beta-amyloid (Aβ) peptides (38–43 amino acids), which are generated from enzymatic cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) by β- and γ-secretases. In the present work, we cloned the principal APP isoforms as well as some enzymes that have been implicated in their amyloidogenic and non-amyloidogenic processing in dogs. Additionally, the main proteases implicated in the degradation of Aβ were also studied. We also investigated the level of expression of these APP isoforms and enzymes in different brain regions and in peripheral tissues. Our data demonstrate that these canine proteins are highly homologous to their human counterparts. In addition, the expression pattern of these proteins in dogs is consistent with previous data reported in human beings. Thus, dogs may be a natural model to study the biology of AD and could also serve as an animal model for Aβ-targeted drugs against this devastating disease.