Hippocampal neuron loss exceeds amyloid plaque load in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

According to the "amyloid hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease," beta-amyloid is the primary driving force in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. Despite the development of many transgenic mouse lines developing abundant beta-amyloid-containing plaques in the brain, the actual link between amyloid plaques and neuron loss has not been clearly established, as reports on neuron loss in these models have remained controversial. We investigated transgenic mice expressing human mutant amyloid precursor protein APP751 (KM670/671NL and V717I) and human mutant presenilin-1 (PS-1 M146L). Stereologic and image analyses revealed substantial age-related neuron loss in the hippocampal pyramidal cell layer of APP/PS-1 double-transgenic mice. The loss of neurons was observed at sites of Abeta aggregation and surrounding astrocytes but, most importantly, was also clearly observed in areas of the parenchyma distant from plaques. These findings point to the potential involvement of more than one mechanism in hippocampal neuron loss in this APP/PS-1 double-transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.     

Altered metabolism of familial Alzheimer's disease-linked amyloid precursor protein variants in yeast artificial chromosome transgenic mice

Missense mutations in the beta-amyloid precursor protein gene (APP) co- segregate with a small subset of autosomal dominant familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) cases wherein deposition of the 39-43 amino acid beta-amyloid (A beta) peptide and neurodegeneration are principal neuropathological hallmarks. To accurately examine the effect of missense mutations on APP metabolism and A beta production in vivo, we have introduced yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) containing the entire approximately 400 kbp human APP gene encoding APP harboring either the asparagine for lysine and leucine for methionine FAD substitution at codons 670 and 671 (APP(K670N/M671L)), the isoleucine for valine FAD substitution at codon 717 (APP(V7171)) or a combination of both substitutions into transgenic mice. We demonstrate that, relative to YAC transgenic mice expressing wild-type APP, high levels of A beta peptides are detected in the brains of YAC transgenic mice expressing human APP(K670N/M671L) that is associated with a concomitant diminution in the levels of apha-secretase-generated soluble APP derivatives. Moreover, the levels of longer A beta peptides (species terminating at amino acids 42/43) are elevated in YAC transgenic mice expressing human APP(V7171). These mice should prove valuable for detailed analysis of the in vivo effects of the APP FAD mutations in a variety of tissues and throughout aging and for testing therapeutic agents that specifically alter APP metabolism and A beta production.      

Cellular distribution of insulin-like growth factor-II/mannose-6-phosphate receptor in normal human brain and its alteration in Alzheimer's disease pathology

The insulin-like growth factor-II/mannose-6-phosphate (IGF-II/M6P) receptor is a multifunctional membrane glycoprotein, which binds different classes of ligands including IGF-II and M6P-bearing lysosomal enzymes. Besides participating in the process of endocytosis this receptor functions in the trafficking of lysosomal enzymes from the trans-Glogi network (TGN) or the cell surface to lysosomes. In Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain, marked overexpression of certain lysosomal enzymes in vulnerable neuronal populations and their association to beta-amyloid (Abeta) containing neuritic plaques has been correlated to altered metabolic functions. In the present study, we measured the levels of IGF-II/M6P receptor and characterized its distribution profile in selected regions of AD and age-matched normal postmortem brains. Western blot analysis revealed no significant alteration in the levels of IGF-II/M6P receptor either in the hippocampus, frontal cortex or cerebellum between AD and age-matched control brains. However, a significant gene dose effect of apolipoprotein E (APOE) epsilon4 allele on IGF-II/M6P receptor levels was evident in the hippocampus of the AD brain. At the cellular level, immunoreactive IGF-II/M6P receptors were localized in the neurons of the frontal cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum of control brains. In AD brains, the labeling of the neurons was less intense in the frontal cortex and hippocampus than in the age-matched control brains. Additionally, IGF-II/M6P receptor immunoreactivity was observed in association with a subpopulation of Abeta-containing neuritic plaques as well as tau-positive neurofibrillary tangles both in the frontal cortex and the hippocampus. Reactive glial cells localized adjacent to the plaques also occasionally exhibited IGF-II/M6P receptor immunoreactivity. These results, when analyzed in context of the established role of the IGF-II/M6P receptor in the regulation of the intracellular trafficking of lysosomal enzymes, suggest that alterations in IGF-II/M6P receptor levels/distribution are possibly associated with altered functioning of the lysosomal enzymes and/or loss of neurons observed in AD brains, especially in patients carrying APOE epsilon4 alleles.     

Intraneuronal APP/A beta trafficking and plaque formation in beta-amyloid precursor protein and presenilin-1 transgenic mice

Neuropil deposition of beta-amyloid peptides A beta40 and A beta42 is believed to be the key event in the neurodegenerative processes of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Since A beta seems to carry a transport signal that is required for axonal sorting of its precursor beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP), we studied the intraneuronal staining profile of A beta peptides in a transgenic mouse model expressing human mutant APP751 (KM670/671NL and V7171) and human mutant presenilin-1 (PS-1 M146L) in neurons. Using surface plasmon resonance we analyzed the A beta antibodies and defined their binding profile to APP, A beta40 and A beta42. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that intraneuronal A beta40 and A beta42 staining preceded plaque deposition, which started at 3 months of age. A beta was observed in the somatodendritic and axonal compartments of many neurons. Interestingly, the striatum, which lacks transgenic APP expression harbored many plaques at 10 months of age. This is most likely due to an APP/A beta transport problem and may be a model region to study APP/A beta trafficking as an early pathological event.     

beta-site APP cleaving enzyme mRNA expression in APP transgenic mice: anatomical overlap with transgene expression and static levels with aging

The principal enzyme responsible for the beta-site cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP) in the brain is a membrane-bound aspartyl protease beta-site APP cleaving enzyme (BACE). We examined human APP (hAPP) and BACE mRNA expression by in situ hybridization in young and old hAPP transgenic mice from two lines: Tg2576, hAPP KM670-671NL (hAPP(Sw)) at 4 and 15 months; and PDAPP, hAPP V717F, at 4 and 11 months. In transgene-positive mice from both lines, hAPP expression was most prominent in cortical, cerebellar, and hippocampal neuronal populations. Cingulate, entorhinal, and hippocampal amyloid burden in transgene-positive 16-month Tg2576 mice was 4 to 8%, and in 12-month PDAPP mice, 2 to 4%; there was no cerebellar amyloid deposition. BACE expression in transgenic and nontransgenic mice was highest in the cerebellar granule cell layer and hippocampal neuronal layers, intermediate in cortex, lower in subcortical regions, and minimal or absent in white matter of the cerebellum. Emulsion-dipped sections confirmed a predominantly neuronal pattern of expression. The amount of hybridization signal did not differ between transgenic and nontransgenic mice, or young and old mice, within each line. Thus, hAPP and endogenous BACE expression in similar anatomical localizations allow for processing of hAPP and Abeta formation in hAPP transgenic mice, but these are modified by additional age-related and anatomical factors.     

Age-related loss of synaptophysin immunoreactive presynaptic boutons within the hippocampus of APP751SL, PS1M146L, and APP751SL/PS1M146L transgenic mice

Neuron and synapse loss are important features of the neuropathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recently, we observed substantial age-related hippocampal neuron loss in APP751SL/PS1M146L transgenic mice but not in PS1M146L mice. Here, we investigated APP751SL mice, PS1M146L mice, and APP751SL/PS1M146L mice for age-related alterations in synaptic integrity within hippocampal stratum moleculare of the dentate gyrus (SM), stratum lucidum of area CA3 (SL), and stratum radiatum of area CA1-2 (SR) by analyzing densities and numbers of synaptophysin-immunoreactive presynaptic boutons (SIPBs). Wild-type mice, APP751SL mice and PS1M146L mice showed similar amounts of age-related SIPB loss within SM, and no SIPB loss within SL. Both APP751SL mice and PS1M146L mice showed age-related SIPB loss within SR. Importantly, APP751SL/PS1M146L) mice displayed the severest age-related SIPB loss within SM, SL, and SR, even in regions free of extracellular Abeta deposits. Together, these mouse models offer a unique framework to study the impact of several molecular and cellular events caused by mutant APP and/or mutant PS1 on age-related alterations in synaptic integrity. The observation of age-related SIPB loss within SR of PS1M146L mice supports a role of mutant PS1 in neurodegeneration apart from its contribution to alterations in Abeta generation.     

Regional cerebral blood volume reduction in transgenic mutant APP (V717F, K670N/M671L) mice

Recent advance in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) microimaging has enabled in vivo cerebral blood volume (CBV) mapping with high spatial resolution. Using an intravascular susceptibility contrast agent and T(2)-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on a 9.4T NMR microimager, the regional CBV was measured in mice as the transverse relaxation increase induced by the contrast agent. CBV maps in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model at resting state were obtained and examined. Four-month-old male transgenic mutant APP (V717F, K670N/M671L) mice (N = 10) and littermate wild-type controls (N = 12) were used. Regional analysis of the multi-slice CBV maps revealed statistically significant CBV reductions among the APP mice in cerebral cortex (-9.29%, P = 0.0002), hippocampus (-4.22%, P = 0.02), and thalamus (-5.21%, P = 0.03), indicating an early change of microvasculature in these selected regions. No significant difference was found in olfactory bulb, pons, midbrain, superior colliculus, medulla, and cerebellum.     

FAD mutant PS-1 gene-targeted mice: increased A beta 42 and A beta deposition without APP overproduction

To investigate the consequences of mutant presenilin-1 (PS-1) expression under the control of the normal PS-1 gene, a gene-targeted mouse bearing the FAD mutation P264L was made. Gene-targeted models are distinct from transgenic models because the mutant gene is expressed at normal levels, in the absence of the wild-type protein. PS-1(P264L/P264L) mice had normal expression of PS-1 mRNA, but levels of the N- and C-terminal protein fragments of PS-1 were reduced while levels of the holoprotein were increased. When crossed into Tg(HuAPP695.K670N/M671L)2576 mice, the PS-1(P264L) mutation accelerated the onset of amyloid (Abeta) deposition in a gene-dosage dependent manner. Tg2576/PS-1(P264L/P264L) mice also had Abeta deposition that was widely distributed throughout the brain and spinal cord. APP(NLh/NLh)/PS-1(P264L/P264L) double gene-targeted mice had elevated levels of Abeta42, sufficient to cause Abeta deposition beginning at 6 months of age. Abeta deposition increased linearly over time in APP(NLh/NLh)/PS-1(P264L/P264L) mice, whereas the increase in Tg2576 mice was exponential. The APP(NLh/NLh)/PS-1(P264L/P264L) double gene-targeted mouse represents an animal model that exhibits Abeta deposition without overexpression of APP.     

Absence of effect of chronic nicotine administration on amyloid beta peptide levels in transgenic mice overexpressing mutated human APP (Sw, Ind)

Studies have indicated that nicotine has disease-modifying and cognitive-enhancing properties in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Nicotine has been proposed to be neuroprotective through anti-amyloid beta (Abeta) effects, anti-excitotoxic effects, and anti-free radical effects. Previously, conflicting data from Abeta plaque developing transgenic mice have shown significant Abeta-lowering effects, or alternatively no effects, of nicotine administration. In this study, dosing of transgenic mice (J20 strain) with mutated human APP (Swedish mutations: K670N and M671L and Indiana mutation: V717F) transgene, with nicotine in drinking water for 20 weeks did not have a significant effect on total levels of Abeta 40 or 42 in hippocampus or cortex. This treatment strategy resulted in increased levels of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor activity, and reduced levels of cortical glial fibrillary acidic protein, but had no effect on cortical synaptophysin protein levels. The J20 mouse strain produces higher levels of Abeta 42, the more pathogenic form of Abeta, than Abeta 40 compared to other Abeta plaque developing mouse strains; this could account for differences in effectiveness of nicotine in transgenic mice models of AD.     

The alpha7 nicotinic receptor agonist 4OH-GTS-21 protects axotomized septohippocampal cholinergic neurons in wild type but not amyloid-overexpressing transgenic mice

While activation of alpha7 nicotinic receptors protects neurons from a variety of apoptotic insults in vitro, little is known about this neuroprotective action in vivo, especially under amyloidogenic conditions that mimic Alzheimer's disease. We therefore investigated the effects of 4OH-GTS-21, a selective partial agonist for these receptors, on septohippocampal cholinergic and GABAergic neuron survival following fimbria fornix (FFX) lesions in three strains of mice: C57BL/6J wild type mice; human presenilin-1 mutant M146L (PS1) transgenic mice; and mice expressing both mutant PS1 and Swedish mutant K670N/M671L amyloid precursor protein (APP). Initial studies to demonstrated that 4OH-GTS-21 is likely brain permeant based on its ability to improve passive avoidance and Morris water task behaviors in nucleus basalis-lesioned rats. In FFX-lesioned mice, twice per day i.p. injections of 1 mg/kg of 4OH-GTS-21 for 2 weeks promoted the survival and prevented the atrophy of septal cholinergic neurons. Septal parvalbumin-staining GABAergic neurons were not protected by this treatment, although they also express alpha7 nicotinic receptors, suggesting an indirect, nerve growth factor (NGF)-mediated mechanism. No protection of cholinergic neurons was observed in similarly treated PS1 or APP/PS1 transgenic mice. 4OH-GTS-21 treatment actually reduced cholinergic neuronal size in APP/PS1 mice. Hippocampal amyloid deposition was not affected by FFX lesions or treatment with this alpha7 nicotinic receptor agonist in APP/PS1 mice under these conditions. These results indicate that brain alpha7 nicotinic receptors are potential targets for protecting at-risk brain neurons in Alzheimer's disease, perhaps via their effects on NGF receptors; however, this protection may be sensitive under some conditions to environmental factors such as inhibitory amyloid-peptides.     

Deregulation of NMDA-receptor function and down-stream signaling in APP[V717I] transgenic mice

Evidence is accumulating for a role for amyloid peptides in impaired synaptic plasticity and cognition, while the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We here analyzed the effects of amyloid peptides on NMDA-receptor function in vitro and in vivo. A synthetic amyloid peptide preparation containing monomeric and oligomeric A beta (1-42) peptides was used and demonstrated to bind to synapses expressing NMDA-receptors in cultured hippocampal and cortical neurons. Pre-incubation of primary neuronal cultures with A beta peptides significantly inhibited NMDA-receptor function, albeit not by a direct pharmacological inhibition of NMDA-receptors, since acute application of A beta peptides did not change NMDA-receptor currents in autaptic hippocampal cultures nor in xenopus oocytes expressing recombinant NMDA-receptors. Pre-incubation of primary neuronal cultures with A beta peptides however decreased NR2B-immunoreactive synaptic spines and surface expression of NR2B containing NMDA-receptors. Furthermore, we extended these findings for the first time in vivo, demonstrating decreased concentrations of NMDA-receptor subunit NR2B and PSD-95 as well as activated alpha-CaMKII in postsynaptic density preparations of APP[V717I] transgenic mice. This was associated with impaired NMDA-dependent LTP and decreased NMDA- and AMPA-receptor currents in hippocampal CA1 region in APP[V717I] transgenic mice. In addition, induction of c-Fos following cued and contextual fear conditioning was significantly impaired in the basolateral amygdala and hippocampus of APP[V717I] transgenic mice. Our data demonstrate defects in NMDA-receptor function and learning dependent signaling cascades in vivo in APP[V717I] transgenic mice and point to decreased surface expression of NMDA-receptors as a mechanism involved in early synaptic defects in APP[V717I] transgenic mice in vivo.     

上调星形胶质细胞中PP2A对APP/PS1双转基因小鼠的神经保护作用

目的:探讨上调星形胶质细胞中蛋白磷酸酶2A(protein phosphatase 2A,PP2A)对APP/PS1双转基因小鼠的神经保护作用。方法:构建带胶质细胞原纤维酸性蛋白启动子的e GFP-wt PP2A慢病毒,特异性上调星形胶质细胞中的PP2A。将实验小鼠随机分为野生对照+慢病毒空载体组(Con组)、APP/PS1双转基因小鼠+慢病毒空载体组(APP/PS1组)和APP/PS1双转基因小鼠+慢病毒感染组(PP2A组),各组小鼠经侧脑室注射慢病毒4周后,采用脑片免疫荧光检测β-淀粉样蛋白(β-amyloid protein,Aβ)的水平,通过Golgi染色观察树突棘密度和形态学变化,电镜检测突触后致密物(postsynaptic density,PSD)的厚度,Morris水迷宫定位航行实验检测感染慢病毒后对学习和记忆的影响。结果:上调星形胶质细胞中PP2A降低APP/PS1双转基因小鼠Aβ的水平,增加树突棘密度、有突触功能的蘑菇状树突棘比例和PSD厚度,缩短寻找平台逃避潜伏期。结论:上调星形胶质细胞中PP2A改善APP/PS1双转基因小鼠AD样Aβ聚集的病理改变,具有重塑突触结构与功能和改善学习记忆能力的作用。     

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.     

In vivo MRI and histological evaluation of brain atrophy in APP/PS1 transgenic mice

Regional cerebral atrophy was evaluated in APP/PS1 mice harboring mutated transgenes linked to familial Alzheimer's disease, using complementary methods. In vivo high resolution MRI was selected for measurements of brain atrophy and associated cerebrospinal fluid dilation; histological analysis was performed to reveal localized atrophies and to evaluate amyloid burden. Young APP/PS1 mice examined at a pre-amyloid stage (10 weeks) showed disruption in development (reduced intracranial and brain volumes). Comparison of young and old (24 months) mice, indicated that both APP/PS1 and control brains endure growth during adulthood. Aged APP/PS1 animals showed a moderate although significant global brain atrophy and a dilation of CSF space in posterior brain regions. The locus of this atrophy was identified in the midbrain area and not, as expected, at isocortical/hippocampal levels. Atrophy was also detected in fiber tracts. The severity of brain atrophy in old APP/PS1 mice was not correlated with the extent of cerebral amyloidosis. The relevance of current transgenic mouse models for the study of brain atrophy related to Alzheimer's disease is discussed.     

Novel aspects of accumulation dynamics and A beta composition in transgenic models of AD

A homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay for detection of beta-amyloid (A beta) peptides has been adapted for quantification of A beta(40) and A beta(42) accumulation in brains of APP695SWE transgenic mice. These over-express human beta APP(swe), beta-amyloid precursor protein (beta-APP) containing the K670N/M671L 'Swedish' familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) mutation. Both peptides start to accumulate in this line from about 260 to 280 days of age. Co-expression of a human presenilin-1 (PS1) transgene containing the A246E FAD mutation accelerates deposition and also favors-at least initially-accumulation of A beta(42) so that the A beta(2):A beta(40) ratio of peptides from 7- to 12-month-old APP695SWE x PS1A246E animals is significantly elevated above that observed throughout the lifetime of APP695SWE mice. These findings, supported by parallel immunohistochemical staining and surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (SELDI-TOF) mass spectrometry data, offer important longitudinal characterization of two mouse models of cerebral amyloidosis. Application of the same extraction and quantitation procedures to samples of temporal cortex from AD sufferers indicates however that A beta(40) is only a minor component of beta-amyloid in humans.     

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。     

Effects of neuron-specific ADAM10 modulation in an in vivo model of acute excitotoxic stress

A disintegrin and metalloprotease (ADAM) 10 is the main candidate enzyme for the alpha-secretase processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP). Neuron-specific ADAM10 overexpression proved beneficial in the APP[V717I] mutant Alzheimer mouse model [Postina R, Schroeder A, Dewachter I, Bohl J, Schmitt U, Kojro E, Prinzen C, Endres K, Hiemke C, Blessing M, Flamez P, Dequenne A, Godaux E, van Leuven F, Fahrenholz F (2004) A disintegrin-metalloproteinase prevents amyloid plaque formation and hippocampal defects in an Alzheimer disease mouse model. J Clin Invest 113:1456-1464]. Since Alzheimer patients have a high prevalence for epileptic seizures, we investigated the effects of ADAM10 modulation under conditions of experimentally induced epileptic seizures. In this context we also examined whether ADAM10 effects were influenced by APP levels. Therefore we compared severity of kainate-induced seizures, neurodegeneration and inflammation in double transgenic mice overexpressing functional ADAM10 or a dominant negative ADAM10 mutant in the APP[V717I] background with single transgenic ADAM10 modulated mice. Double transgenic dominant negative ADAM10dn/APP[V717I] mice suffered from stronger epileptic seizures, had a longer recovery period and showed more neurodegeneration and glial activation in the hippocampal region than double transgenic mice moderately overexpressing functional ADAM10 (ADAM10mo/APP[V717I]) and APP[V717I] mice with endogenous ADAM10 levels. This suggests that ADAM10 activity is necessary to provide neuroprotection against excitotoxicity in the APP[V717I] mouse model. Interestingly, increased expression of functional ADAM10 above the endogenous level did not correlate with a better protection against seizures and neurodegeneration. Furthermore, ADAM10 dominant negative mice without transgenic APP overexpression (ADAM10dn) were seizing for a shorter time and showed less neuronal cell death and neuroinflammation after kainate injection than wild-type mice, which shows beneficial effects of ADAM10 inhibition in context with neurodegeneration. In contrast, mice with a high ADAM10 overexpression showed more seizures and stronger neuronal damage and inflammation than wild-type mice and mice with moderate ADAM10 overexpression. Hence, additional cleavage products of ADAM10 may counterbalance the neuroprotective effect of alpha-secretase-cleaved APP in the defense against excitotoxicity. Our findings highlight the need of a careful modulation of ADAM10 activity for neuroprotection depending on substrate availability and on neurotoxic stress conditions.     

Deficits in working memory and motor performance in the APP/PS1ki mouse model for Alzheimer's disease

The APP/PS1ki mouse model for Alzheimer's disease (AD) exhibits robust brain and spinal cord axonal degeneration and hippocampal CA1 neuron loss starting at 6 months of age. It expresses human mutant APP751 with the Swedish and London mutations together with two FAD-linked knocked-in mutations (PS1 M233T and PS1 L235P) in the murine PS1 gene. The present report covers a phenotypical analysis of this model using either behavioral tests for working memory and motor performance, as well as an analysis of weight development and body shape. At the age of 6 months, a dramatic, age-dependent change in all of these properties and characteristics was observed, accompanied by a significantly reduced ability to perform working memory and motor tasks. The APP/PS1ki mice were smaller and showed development of a thoracolumbar kyphosis, together with an incremental loss of body weight. While 2-month-old APP/PS1ki mice were inconspicuous in all of these tasks and properties, there is a massive age-related impairment in all tested behavioral paradigms. We have previously reported robust axonal degeneration in brain and spinal cord, as well as abundant hippocampal CA1 neuron loss starting at 6 months of age in the APP/PS1ki mouse model, which coincides with the onset of motor and memory deficits described in the present report.     

miR-30c通过调节海马神经发生对APP/PS1转基因小鼠学习记忆能力的影响*

目的：探讨miR-30c 通过调控海马神经发生对APP/PS1 转基因小鼠的学习记忆的影响。方法：用免疫荧光 检测Ki67 的表达和Morris 行为学检测APP/PS1 转基因小鼠海马的神经发生及学习记忆能力,并通过脑立体定位 技术显微注射miR-30c 过表达和miR-30c 敲减慢病毒载体以干扰海马齿状回区域的神经发生,检测海马神经发生 对学习记忆的影响。结果：APP/PS1 转基因小鼠的海马神经发生和学习记忆能力明显低于野生小鼠。然而,当 APP/PS1 转基因小鼠海马的miR-30c 过表达后,海马神经发生明显增加（14.2 倍）;相反,当海马miR-30c 敲减后, 海马神经发生明显降低（0.25 倍）,并且Morris 行为学结果显示,miR-30c 敲减后小鼠的学习记忆能力明显降低, 而miR-30c 过表达后小鼠的学习记忆能力明显增强。结论：miR-30c 可能通过调控海马神经发生影响学习记忆功能, 提示miR-30c 可作为干预阿尔茨海默症神经发生与学习记忆能力的潜在靶点。     

还脑益聪方组分对APP转基因小鼠脑组织炎症因子和氧化应激的影响

目的: 研究中药复方-还脑益聪方(HNYCF)组分对阿尔茨海默病(AD)动物模型脑组织炎症因子和氧化应激相关指标的影响,探讨其治疗AD的作用机制。方法: 选用3月龄APP695V717I转基因小鼠AD模型,随机分成4组:模型组、盐酸多奈哌齐组、HNYCE组分大剂量组和HNYCF组分小剂量组。另设立正常对照组(相同遗传背景的C57BL/6J小鼠)。各组小鼠按相应处理连续灌胃6个月后进行相关指标检测。采用Morris水迷宫和跳台实验观测小鼠学习记忆能力,采用免疫组织化学法检测脑组织核因子κB(NF-κB) 和过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ(PPARγ)的表达水平,放射免疫法测定脑组织皮层和海马白细胞介素-6 (IL-6)和高敏C-反应蛋白(hs-CRP)的含量,比色法检测血清超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性,硫代巴比妥酸法测定血清丙二醛(MDA)含量。结果: HNYCF小鼠在Morris水迷宫中穿越平台次数、第4象限游泳时间和路程均较模型组显著增多(P<0.05或P<0.01);HNYCF大剂量组小鼠在跳台实验中潜伏期较模型组显著延长(P<0.01);HNYCF小鼠脑组织NF-κB表达下调,PPARγ表达上调,IL-6含量减少,与模型组比较有显著差异(P<0.05或P<0.01);HNYCF小鼠血清SOD活性较模型组显著升高(P<0.05或P<0.01)。结论: HNYCF可以改善APP转基因小鼠的学习记忆能力,其作用机制可能与抗炎、抗氧化作用有关。