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Li H, Lai L, Li X, Wang R, Fang X, Xu N, Zhao J. Electroacupuncture Ameliorates Cognitive Impairment by Regulating γ-Amino Butyric Acidergic Interneurons in the Hippocampus of 5 Familial Alzheimer's Disease Mice. Neuromodulation 2024; 27:730-741. [PMID: 36604241 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurom.2022.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES γ-amino butyric acid (GABA)-ergic dysfunction in excitatory and inhibitory (E/I) imbalance drives the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Inhibitory interneurons play an important role in the regulation of E/I balance, synaptic transmission, and network oscillation through manipulation of GABAergic functions, showing positive outcomes in AD animal models. Mice expressing 5 familial AD mutation (5xFAD) exhibited a series of AD-like pathology and learning and memory deficits with age. Because electroacupuncture (EA) treatment has been used for a complementary alternative medicine therapy in patients with AD, we aimed to examine any usefulness of EA therapy in GABA interneuron function and its associated synaptic proteins, to determine whether EA could effectively improve inhibitory transmission and network oscillation and eventually alleviate cognitive impairments in 5xFAD mice, and to further elucidate the GABAergic system function underlying the antidementia response of EA. MATERIALS AND METHODS 5xFAD mice were used to evaluate the potential neuroprotective effect of electroacupuncture at Baihui (DU 20) and Dazhui (DU 14) through behavioral testing, immunofluorescence staining, electrophysiology recording, and molecular biology analysis. RESULTS First, we observed that EA improved memory deficits and inhibitory synaptic protein expression. Second, EA treatment alleviated the decrease of somatostatin-positive interneurons in the dorsal hippocampus. Third, EA attenuated E/I imbalance in 5xFAD mice. Last, EA treatment enhanced theta and gamma oscillation in the hippocampus of 5xFAD mice. CONCLUSIONS EA stimulation at DU20 and DU14 acupoints may be a potential alternative therapy to ameliorate cognitive deficits in AD through the regulation of the function of the GABAergic interneuron.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongzhu Li
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China; Department of Rehabilitation, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lanfeng Lai
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin Li
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Runyi Wang
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoling Fang
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Nenggui Xu
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiaying Zhao
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
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Chen H, Yang X, Gao Y, Jiang H, Guo M, Zhou Y, Li C, Tan Y, Zhang Y, Xue W. Electroacupuncture ameliorates cognitive impairment in APP/PS1 mouse by modulating TFEB levels to relieve ALP dysfunction. Brain Res 2024; 1823:148683. [PMID: 37992796 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Recently, the underlying mechanisms of acupuncture on the effects of Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatment have not been fully elucidated. Defects in ALP (autophagy-lysosomal pathway) and TFEB (transcription factor EB) play critical roles in AD. Our previous studies have demonstrated that electroacupuncture (EA) can ameliorate both β-amyloid (Aβ) pathology and cognitive function in APP/PS1 mice. However, the effects of EA on the expression of ALP and TFEB and their potential mechanisms require further investigation. Twenty-eight male APP/PS1 mice were randomly divided into Tg and Tg + EA groups, and 14 C57BL/6 mice served as the wild-type (WT) group. After 1 week of adaptation to the living environment, mice in the Tg + EA group were restrained in mouse bags and received manual acupuncture at Baihui (GV20) acupoint and EA stimulation at bilateral Yongquan (KI1) acupoints, using the same restraint method for WT and Tg groups. The intervention was applied for 15 min each time, every other day, lasting for six weeks. After intervention, the spatial learning and memory of the mice was assessed using the Morris water maze test. Hippocampal Aβ expression was detected by immunohistochemistry and ELISA. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe autophagic vacuoles and autolysosomes in the hippocampus. Immunofluorescence method was applied to examine the expression of TFEB in CA1 region of the hippocampus and the co-localization of CTSD or LAMP1 with Aβ. Western blot analysis was performed to evaluate the changes of LC3, p62, CTSD, LAMP1, TFEB and n-TFEB (nuclear TFEB) in the hippocampus. The findings of behavioral assessment indicated that EA alleviated the cognitive impairment of APP/PS1 mice. Compared with the WT group, the Tg group showed significant cognitive decline and abnormalities in ALP and TFEB function (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). However, these abnormal changes were alleviated in the Tg + EA group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). The Tg group also showed more senile plaques and ALP dysfunction features, compared with the WT group, and these changes were alleviated by EA. In conclusion, this study highlights that EA ameliorated Aβ pathology-related cognitive impairments in the APP/PS1 model associated with ALP and TFEB dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haotian Chen
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Xiaokun Yang
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yushan Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Huili Jiang
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Mengwei Guo
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yingyi Zhou
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Chenlu Li
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yunxiang Tan
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 510405, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Guangshui City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 432700, China
| | - Weiguo Xue
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China.
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Yuan R, Yisen Z, Xiu W, Wei T, Wei W. Effects of enriched environment on the expression of β-amyloid and transport-related proteins LRP1 and RAGE in chronic sleep-deprived mice. Transl Neurosci 2023; 14:20220301. [PMID: 37692085 PMCID: PMC10487385 DOI: 10.1515/tnsci-2022-0301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Sleep plays an important role in the learning process and memory consolidation, and sleep deprivation (SD) leads to inadequate memory consolidation and plays an important role in brain development and plasticity. SD increases β-amyloid levels while impairing cognitive function. We explored the effect of enriched environment (EE) on β-amyloid and transporter protein LRP1 and receptor for advanced glycosylation end-products (RAGE) expression in chronic sleep deprived mice. We randomly divided mice into four groups (n = 10), the standard environment group (Ctrl group), the sleep deprivation group (SD group), the enriched environment intervention group (EE group), and the sleep deprivation plus environmental enrichment intervention group (SD + EE group). A modified multi-platform SD model was used to sleep deprive the mice for 19 h per day. Five hours of EE intervention was performed daily in the EE group and the SD + EE group, respectively. The behavioral measurements of mice were performed by Y-maze method and new object recognition; the expression levels of Aβ1-42, LRP1, and RAGE in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of mice were measured by immunofluorescence; the expression levels of LRP1 and RAGE in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were detected by Western blot. The results showed that EE could effectively ameliorate the effects of SD on cognitive impairment, reduce SD induced Aβ deposition, and decrease the expression of RAGE, while increase the expression of LRP1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ren Yuan
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Xinhua Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Zhang Yisen
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Xinhua Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Wang Xiu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Wuhan Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hubei Province, China
| | - Tang Wei
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Xinhua Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Wang Wei
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine of Dalian University, Dalian, Liaoning Province, China
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Zhang Y, Ding N, Hao X, Zhao J, Zhao Y, Li Y, Li Z. Manual acupuncture benignly regulates blood-brain barrier disruption and reduces lipopolysaccharide loading and systemic inflammation, possibly by adjusting the gut microbiota. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:1018371. [PMID: 36313024 PMCID: PMC9607933 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.1018371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption and gut microbiota dysbiosis play crucial roles in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation triggered by gut microbial dysbiosis is an important factor in BBB disruption and systemic inflammation, but the mechanism of acupuncture regulation of BBB disruption via the gut microbiota in AD is not clear. OBJECTIVE The current study evaluated the effect of manual acupuncture (MA) on BBB dysfunction in APP/PS1 mice and examined the mechanism of gut microbiota by acupuncture in AD. METHODS Acupoints were applied to Baihui (GV20), Yintang (GV29), and Zusanli (ST36) in the MA group. Mice in the manual acupuncture plus antibiotics (MAa) group received antibiotics and acupuncture, while mice in the probiotics (P) group received probiotics. Alterations in spatial learning and memory, the gut microbiota, tightly connected structure and permeability of BBB, and the expression of LPS and inflammatory factors in each group were assessed. RESULTS Compared to the normal (N) group, cognitive ability was significantly impaired, the gut microbiota composition was markedly altered, the BBB was significantly disrupted, and the expression of LPS in serum and brain, serum TNF-α, and IL-1β were significantly increased in the AD group (p < 0.01). These changes were inhibited in the MA and P groups (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05), and antibiotics reversed the benign regulatory effects of MA (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Manual acupuncture benignly modulated the gut microbiota and BBB dysfunction, reduced LPS, TNF-α, and IL-1β. These effects were comparable to probiotics. The decrease in LPS load and systemic inflammation may play important roles in the regulation of BBB dysfunction by acupuncture, and the gut microbiota may be a potential target for the benign regulation of BBB disruption by acupuncture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhang
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Ning Ding
- Department of Acupuncture, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Hao
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Zhao
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yali Zhao
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yiran Li
- School of International, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zhigang Li
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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Yang B, He M, Chen X, Sun M, Pan T, Xu X, Zhang X, Gong Q, Zhao Y, Jin Z, Cheng Z. Acupuncture Effect Assessment in APP/PS1 Transgenic Mice: On Regulating Learning-Memory Abilities, Gut Microbiota, and Microbial Metabolites. COMPUTATIONAL AND MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN MEDICINE 2022; 2022:1527159. [PMID: 35432583 PMCID: PMC9012623 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1527159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a brain illness that affects learning and memory capacities over time. In recent investigations, acupuncture has been shown to be an effective alternative treatment for AD. We investigated the effect of acupuncture on learning and memory abilities using a water maze in APP/PS1 transgenic mice. The amounts of Aβ and tau protein in mice's hippocampal tissue were determined using Western blot. The levels of IL-1β, IL-10, LPS and TNF-α in mice's serum were measured using ELISA. The variations of gut microbiota in mice's feces were determined using the 16SrDNA technique, and the metabolites were examined using a untargeted metabolomics methodology. The results showed that acupuncture treatment improved mice's learning and memory abilities substantially. Acupuncture therapy regulated the Aβ and tau protein concentration as well as the levels of IL-10 and LPS. Acupuncture treatment influenced the mouse microbiota and metabolites and had been linked to six biochemical pathways. This study adds to our understanding of the effect of acupuncture on AD and opens the door to further research into the alterations of intestinal bacteria in the presence of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Yang
- Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 79, Chongshan Eastern Rd, Huanggu District, 110847 Shenyang, China
- Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, No. 1035, Boshuo Rd, Jingyue Economic Development District, 130117 Changchun, China
| | - Min He
- Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, No. 1035, Boshuo Rd, Jingyue Economic Development District, 130117 Changchun, China
| | - Xinhua Chen
- Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, No. 1035, Boshuo Rd, Jingyue Economic Development District, 130117 Changchun, China
| | - Mengmeng Sun
- Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, No. 1035, Boshuo Rd, Jingyue Economic Development District, 130117 Changchun, China
| | - Ting Pan
- Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, No. 1035, Boshuo Rd, Jingyue Economic Development District, 130117 Changchun, China
| | - Xiaohong Xu
- Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, No. 1035, Boshuo Rd, Jingyue Economic Development District, 130117 Changchun, China
| | - Xuesong Zhang
- Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, No. 1035, Boshuo Rd, Jingyue Economic Development District, 130117 Changchun, China
| | - Qing Gong
- Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, No. 1035, Boshuo Rd, Jingyue Economic Development District, 130117 Changchun, China
| | - Ye Zhao
- Northwest University, No. 229, Taibai North Road, Xi' an 710069, China
| | - Ziqi Jin
- Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, No. 1035, Boshuo Rd, Jingyue Economic Development District, 130117 Changchun, China
| | - Zedong Cheng
- Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 79, Chongshan Eastern Rd, Huanggu District, 110847 Shenyang, China
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Xu A, Tang Y, Zeng Q, Wang X, Tian H, Zhou Y, Li Z. Electroacupuncture Enhances Cognition by Promoting Brain Glucose Metabolism and Inhibiting Inflammation in the APP/PS1 Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease: A Pilot Study. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 77:387-400. [PMID: 32741819 DOI: 10.3233/jad-200242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease, yet there is no effective treatment. Electroacupuncture (EA) is a complementary alternative medicine approach. In clinical and animal studies, EA promotes cognition in AD and vascular dementia. It has been previously reported that cognitive decline in AD might be closely related to reduced glucose intake in the brain. It is worth mentioning that the regions of glucose hypometabolism are usually found to be associated with neuroinflammation. OBJECTIVE This study is to explore whether the protective mechanism of EA on cognition is related to the regulation of glucose metabolism and neuroinflammation. METHODS APP/PS1 mice were randomly divided into AD group and the treatment (AD + EA) group. In the AD + EA group, EA was applied on Baihui (GV20) and Yintang (GV29) for 20 min and then pricked at Shuigou (GV26), once every alternate day for 4 weeks. Morris water maze (MWM) tests were performed to evaluate the effects of EA treatment on cognitive functions. 18F-FDG PET, immunofluorescence, and western blot were used to examine the mechanisms underlying EA effects. RESULTS From MWM tests, EA treatment significantly improved cognition of APP/PS1 mice. From the 18F-FDG PET, the levels of uptake rate of glucose in frontal lobe were higher than the AD group after EA. From immunofluorescence and western blot, amyloid-β (Aβ) and neuroinflammation were reduced after EA. CONCLUSION These results suggest that EA may prevent cognitive decline in AD mouse models by enhancing glucose metabolism and inhibiting inflammation-mediated Aβ deposition in the frontal lobe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anping Xu
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yinshan Tang
- Department of Rehabilitation and Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qingtao Zeng
- Information Engineering Institute, Beijing Institute of Graphic Communication, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Huiling Tian
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - You Zhou
- Department of Rehabilitation and Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhigang Li
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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Electroacupuncture Improves Clearance of Amyloid- β through the Glymphatic System in the SAMP8 Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Neural Plast 2021; 2021:9960304. [PMID: 34484327 PMCID: PMC8416373 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9960304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Memory loss and cognitive impairment characterize the neurodegenerative disorder, Alzheimer's disease (AD). Amyloid-β (Aβ) is the key factor that triggers the course of AD, and reducing the deposition of Aβ in the brain has been considered as a potential target for the treatment of AD. In clinical and animal studies, electroacupuncture (EA) has been shown to be an effective treatment for AD. In recent years, substantial evidence has accumulated suggesting the important role of the glymphatic system in Aβ clearance. Objective The purpose of this study was to explore whether EA modifies the accumulation of Aβ through the glymphatic system and may thus be applied to alleviate cognitive impairments. Methods Seven-month-old SAMP8 mice were randomized into a control group (Pc) and an electroacupuncture group (Pe). Age-matched SAMR1 mice were used as normal controls (Rc). Mice in the Pe group were stimulated on Baihui (GV20) and Yintang (GV29) for 10 min and then pricked at Shuigou (GV26) for ten times. EA treatment lasted for 8 weeks. In each week, EA would be applied once a day for the first five consecutive days and ceased at the remaining two days. After EA treatment, Morris water maze (MWM) test was used to evaluate the cognitive function; HE and Nissl staining was performed to observe the brain histomorphology; ELISA, contrast-enhanced MRI, and immunofluorescence were applied to explore the mechanisms underlying EA effects from Aβ accumulation, glymphatic system function, reactivity of astrocytes, and AQP4 polarization, respectively. Results This EA regime could improve cognition and alleviate neuropathological damage to brain tissue. And EA treatment might reduce Aβ accumulation, enhance paravascular influx in the glymphatic system, inhibit the reactivity of astrocytes, and improve AQP4 polarity. Conclusion EA treatment might reduce Aβ accumulation from the brain via improving clearance performance of the glymphatic system and thereby alleviating cognitive impairment.
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Karunakaran S. Unraveling Early Signs of Navigational Impairment in APPswe/PS1dE9 Mice Using Morris Water Maze. Front Neurosci 2021; 14:568200. [PMID: 33384577 PMCID: PMC7770143 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.568200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mild behavioral deficits, which are part of normal aging, can be early indicators of an impending Alzheimer's disease. Using the APPswe/PS1dE9 (APP/PS1) mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, we utilized the Morris water maze spatial learning paradigm to systematically evaluate mild behavioral deficits that occur during the early stages of disease pathogenesis. Conventional behavioral analysis using this model indicates that spatial memory is intact at 2 months of age. In this study, we used an alternative method to analyze the behavior of mice, aiming to gain a better understanding of the nature of cognitive deficits by focusing on the unsuccessful trials during water maze learning rather than on the successful ones. APP/PS1 mice displayed a higher number of unsuccessful trials during the initial days of training, unlike their wild-type counterparts. However, with repeated trial and error, learning in APP/PS1 reached levels comparable to that of the wild-type mice during the later days of training. Individual APP/PS1 mice preferred a non-cognitive search strategy called circling, which led to abrupt learning transitions and an increased number of unsuccessful trials. These findings indicate the significance of subtle intermediate readouts as early indicators of conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smitha Karunakaran
- Centre for Brain Research, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
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Tang Y, Xu A, Shao S, Zhou Y, Xiong B, Li Z. Electroacupuncture Ameliorates Cognitive Impairment by Inhibiting the JNK Signaling Pathway in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2020; 12:23. [PMID: 32116652 PMCID: PMC7016202 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.00023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Electroacupuncture (EA) has become popular for its adjustable strength and frequency and easy quantification in the clinic and has demonstrated therapeutic potential for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the mechanism remains unknown. Abnormally activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) has been closely related to the pathological process of AD. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of EA on cognitive impairment and the role of the JNK signaling pathway in AD model amyloid precursor protein (APP)/presenilin 1 (PS1) mice. The memory and learning ability of each group was assessed using the Morris Water Maze (MWM). Immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry and Western blot were performed to measure the expression of APP, JNK, phosphorylated (P-)JNK, mitogen-activated protein kinase 4 (MKK4), MKK7, c-Jun and caspase-3 in hippocampal tissue samples in APP/PS1 mice after EA intervention. Obvious cognitive deficits were observed in the AD model APP/PS1 mice in the MWM test and were associated with JNK signaling pathway activation and APP upregulation. Four weeks of EA significantly ameliorated the cognitive impairments and inhibited JNK signaling pathway activation and APP upregulation. Taken together, the findings demonstrated that EA can reverse cognitive deficits and substantially lower the burden of APP in AD model APP/PS1 mice, at least partially through inhibiting the JNK signaling pathway and regulating apoptosis signals. Therefore, EA may offer an effective alternative therapeutic approach for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinshan Tang
- Department of Rehabilitation and Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Anping Xu
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Shujun Shao
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - You Zhou
- Department of Rehabilitation and Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bing Xiong
- Department of Rehabilitation and Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhigang Li
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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Ding N, Jiang J, Tian H, Wang S, Li Z. Benign Regulation of the Astrocytic Phospholipase A 2-Arachidonic Acid Pathway: The Underlying Mechanism of the Beneficial Effects of Manual Acupuncture on CBF. Front Neurosci 2020; 13:1354. [PMID: 32174802 PMCID: PMC7054756 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.01354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The astrocytic phospholipase A2 (PLA2)-arachidonic acid (AA) pathway is crucial in understanding the reduction of cerebral blood flow (CBF) prior to cognitive deterioration. In complementary and alternative medicine, manual acupuncture (MA) is used as one of the most important therapies for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The beneficial effects of MA on CBF were reported in our previous study. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains largely elusive. Objective To investigate the effect of MA on the astrocytic PLA2-AA pathway in SAMP8 mice hippocampi. Methods SAMP8 mice were divided into the SAMP8 control (Pc) group, the SAMP8 MA (Pm) group and the SAMP8 donepezil (Pd) group. SAMR1 mice were used as the SAMRl control (Rc) group. Mice in the Pd group were treated with donepezil hydrochloride at 0.65 μg/g. In the Pm group, MA was applied at Baihui (GV20) and Yintang (GV29) for 20 min. The above treatments were administered once a day for 26 consecutive days. The Morris water maze was applied to assess spatial learning and memory. Immunofluorescence staining, western blot and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry were used to investigate the expression of related proteins and measure the contents of the metabolic intermediates of the PLA2-AA pathway. Results Compared with that in the Rc group, the escape latency in the Pc group significantly increased (p < 0.01); whereas, the platform crossover number and percentage of time and swimming distance in the platform quadrant decreased (p < 0.01). The hippocampal expression of PLA2, cyclooxygenase-1, cytochrome P450 proteins 2C23 and the levels of AA, prostaglandin E2 and epoxyeicosatrienoic acids of the Pc group was drastically higher than that in the Rc group (p < 0.01). These changes were reversed by MA and donepezil (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05). Conclusion MA can effectively improve the learning and memory abilities of SAMP8 mice and has a negative regulatory effect on the PLA2-AA pathway. We propose that the increase of the arterial tone, which is induced by the inhibition of vasodilatory pathway, may be a reason for the beneficial effect of MA on CBF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Ding
- Department of Acupuncture, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Jiang
- School of Nursing, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Huiling Tian
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Shun Wang
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zhigang Li
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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He Y, Li Y, Zhou F, Qi J, Wu M. Decreased circadian fluctuation in cognitive behaviors and synaptic plasticity in APP/PS1 transgenic mice. Metab Brain Dis 2020; 35:343-352. [PMID: 31879834 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-019-00531-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Cognitive decline, memory impairment and circadian rhythm disturbance are iconic manifestations of Alzheimer's disease (AD). APPswe/PS1dE9 (APP/PS1) mice, a model of AD, show deficits in multiple learning and memory abilities, synaptic plasticity, and behavioral circadian rhythm, but whether circadian differences in cognitive performance and synaptic plasticity could be affected in AD remain unclear. Here, the cognitive behaviors of 6-month-old APP/PS1 mice were assessed by multiple behavior tests in the rest phase (light period) or active phase (dark period) of the day. The possible electrophysiological mechanism was subsequently investigated by in vivo hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) recording, and the locomotor activity rhythm of the mice was detected using wheel-running activities. Compared to wild-type (WT) mice, APP/PS1 mice exhibited long-term spatial memory impairment and in vivo hippocampal LTP suppression. In addition, in APP/PS1 mice, circadian differences in new object recognition memory and LTP were lost, and the circadian difference in long-term spatial memory was decreased, accompanied by a less robust locomotor activity rhythm. These results indicate that the loss of circadian differences in new object recognition memory and the decrease in the circadian difference in long-term spatial memory in APP/PS1 mice, which are closely associated with the loss of the circadian difference in LTP and less robust locomotor activity, might occur early in the course of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yexin He
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Provincial People's Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Taiyuan, 030012, China
| | - Yiying Li
- Department of Physiology, Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China
| | - Fang Zhou
- Department of Physiology, Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China
| | - Jinshun Qi
- Department of Physiology, Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China
| | - Meina Wu
- Department of Physiology, Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China.
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12
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Electroacupuncture Mitigates Hippocampal Cognitive Impairments by Reducing BACE1 Deposition and Activating PKA in APP/PS1 Double Transgenic Mice. Neural Plast 2019; 2019:2823679. [PMID: 31223308 PMCID: PMC6541940 DOI: 10.1155/2019/2823679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Revised: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque deposition is thought to be the main cause of Alzheimer's disease (AD). β-Site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) is the key protein involved in Aβ peptide generation. Excessive expression of BACE1 might cause overproduction of neurotoxins in the central nervous system. Previous studies indicated that BACE1 initially cleaves the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and may subsequently interfere with physiological functions of proteins such as PKA, which is recognized to be closely associated with long-term potentiation (LTP) level and can effectively ameliorate cognitive impairments. Therefore, revealing the underlying mechanism of BACE1 in the pathogenesis of AD might have a significant impact on the future development of therapeutic agents targeting dementia. This study examined the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation on BACE1, APP, and p-PKA protein levels in hippocampal tissue samples. Memory and learning abilities were assessed using the Morris water maze test after EA intervention. Immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and western blot were employed to assess the distribution patterns and expression levels of BACE1, APP, and p-PKA, respectively. The results showed the downregulation of BACE1 and APP and the activation of PKA by EA. In summary, EA treatment might reduce BACE1 deposition in APP/PS1 transgenic mice and regulate PKA and its associated substrates, such as LTP to change memory and learning abilities.
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13
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Ding N, Jiang J, Xu A, Tang Y, Li Z. Manual Acupuncture Regulates Behavior and Cerebral Blood Flow in the SAMP8 Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:37. [PMID: 30766475 PMCID: PMC6365452 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: A growing body of evidence has demonstrated that cerebrovascular function abnormality plays a key role in occurrence and worsening of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Reduction of cerebral blood flow (CBF) is a sensitive marker to early perfusion deficiencies in AD. As one of the most important therapies in complementary and alternative medicine, manual acupuncture (MA) has been used in the treatment of AD. However, the moderating effect of MA on CBF remains largely unknown. Objective: To investigate the effect of MA on the behavior and CBF of SAMP8 mice. Methods: SAMP8 mice were randomly divided into the AD, MA, and medicine (M) groups, with SAMR1 mice used as the normal control (N) group. Mice in the M group were treated with donepezil hydrochloride at 0.65 μg/g. In the MA group, MA was applied at Baihui (GV20) and Yintang (GV29) for 20 min. The above treatments were administered once a day for 15 consecutive days. The Morris water maze and arterial spin labeling MRI were used to assess spatial learning and memory in behavior and CBF respectively. Results: Compared with the AD group, both MA and donepezil significantly decreased the escape latency (p < 0.01), while also elevating platform crossover number and the percentage of time and swimming distance in the platform quadrant (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05). The remarkable improvement in escape latency in the MA group appeared earlier than the M group, and no significant statistical significance was observed between the N and MA group with the exception of days 5 and 10. The CBF in the prefrontal lobe and hippocampus in the MA group was substantially higher than in the AD group (p < 0.05) with the exception of the right prefrontal lobe, with similar effects of donepezil. Conclusion: Manual acupuncture can effectively improve the spatial learning, relearning and memory abilities of SAMP8 mice. The increase in CBF in the prefrontal lobe and hippocampus could be an important mechanism for the beneficial cognitive effects of MA in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Ding
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Jiang
- School of Nursing, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Anping Xu
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yinshan Tang
- Department of Rehabilitation in Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhigang Li
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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14
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Pan Y, Short JL, Newman SA, Choy KHC, Tiwari D, Yap C, Senyschyn D, Banks WA, Nicolazzo JA. Cognitive benefits of lithium chloride in APP/PS1 mice are associated with enhanced brain clearance of β-amyloid. Brain Behav Immun 2018; 70:36-47. [PMID: 29545118 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2018.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Revised: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological evidence suggests that people with bipolar disorder prescribed lithium exhibit a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) relative to those prescribed other mood-stabilizing medicines. Lithium chloride (LiCl) reduces brain β-amyloid (Aβ) levels, and the brain clearance of Aβ is reduced in AD. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess whether the cognitive benefits of LiCl are associated with enhanced brain clearance of exogenously-administered Aβ. The brain clearance of intracerebroventricularly (icv) administered 125I-Aβ42 was assessed in male Swiss outbred mice administered daily oral NaCl or LiCl (300 mg/kg for 21 days). LiCl exhibited a 31% increase in the brain clearance of 125I-Aβ42 over 10 min, which was associated with a 1.6-fold increase in brain microvascular expression of the blood-brain barrier efflux transporter low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) and increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) bulk-flow. 8-month-old female wild type (WT) and APP/PS1 mice were also administered daily NaCl or LiCl for 21 days, which was followed by cognitive assessment by novel object recognition and water maze, and measurement of soluble Aβ42, plaque-associated Aβ42, and brain efflux of 125I-Aβ42. LiCl treatment restored the long-term spatial memory deficit observed in APP/PS1 mice as assessed by the water maze (back to similar levels of escape latency as WT mice), but the short-term memory deficit remained unaffected by LiCl treatment. While LiCl did not affect plaque-associated Aβ42, soluble Aβ42 levels were reduced by 49.9% in APP/PS1 mice receiving LiCl. The brain clearance of 125I-Aβ42 decreased by 27.8% in APP/PS1 mice, relative to WT mice, however, LiCl treatment restored brain 125I-Aβ42 clearance in APP/PS1 mice to a rate similar to that observed in WT mice. These findings suggest that the cognitive benefits and brain Aβ42 lowering effects of LiCl are associated with enhanced brain clearance of Aβ42, possibly via brain microvascular LRP1 upregulation and increased CSF bulk-flow, identifying a novel mechanism of protection by LiCl for the treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijun Pan
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jennifer L Short
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stephanie A Newman
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kwok H C Choy
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Durgesh Tiwari
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher Yap
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Danielle Senyschyn
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - William A Banks
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA; Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Joseph A Nicolazzo
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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Ding N, Jiang J, Lu M, Hu J, Xu Y, Liu X, Li Z. Manual Acupuncture Suppresses the Expression of Proinflammatory Proteins Associated with the NLRP3 Inflammasome in the Hippocampus of SAMP8 Mice. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2017; 2017:3435891. [PMID: 28904553 PMCID: PMC5585617 DOI: 10.1155/2017/3435891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Revised: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of manual acupuncture (MA) on NLRP3 inflammasome-related proteins. METHODS SAMP8 mice were randomly divided into Alzheimer's disease (AD) group, the MA group, and the medicine (M) group. Mice in the M group were treated with donepezil hydrochloride at 0.65 μg/g. In the MA group, MA was applied on Baihui (GV20) and Yintang (GV29) for 20 min and then pricked at Shuigou (GV26). The Morris water maze was applied to assess spatial learning and memory. Immunohistochemical staining and western blot analysis were used to observe the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome-related proteins. RESULTS Compared with the normal (N) control group, spatial learning and the memory capabilities of the AD group significantly decreased (p < 0.01). The number of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, and IL-1β positively stained cells in the AD group was higher than the N group, and the relative expression levels of the above proteins were significantly higher than those in the N group (p < 0.01). These changes were reversed by both MA and donepezil (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION MA can improve the learning and memory capabilities of SAMP8 mice. The negative regulation of the NLRP3/Caspase-1 pathway in the hippocampus may be a possible mechanism of MA in the treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Ding
- Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Jing Jiang
- Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Menghan Lu
- Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Jiatong Hu
- Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yiyuan Xu
- Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Liu
- Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Zhigang Li
- Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
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Shinohara M, Tachibana M, Kanekiyo T, Bu G. Role of LRP1 in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease: evidence from clinical and preclinical studies. J Lipid Res 2017; 58:1267-1281. [PMID: 28381441 DOI: 10.1194/jlr.r075796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Revised: 04/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Among the LDL receptor (LDLR) family members, the roles of LDLR-related protein (LRP)1 in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), especially late-onset AD, have been the most studied by genetic, neuropathological, and biomarker analyses (clinical studies) or cellular and animal model systems (preclinical studies) over the last 25 years. Although there are some conflicting reports, accumulating evidence from preclinical studies indicates that LRP1 not only regulates the metabolism of amyloid-β peptides (Aβs) in the brain and periphery, but also maintains brain homeostasis, impairment of which likely contributes to AD development in Aβ-independent manners. Several preclinical studies have also demonstrated an involvement of LRP1 in regulating the pathogenic role of apoE, whose gene is the strongest genetic risk factor for AD. Nonetheless, evidence from clinical studies is not sufficient to conclude how LRP1 contributes to AD development. Thus, despite very promising results from preclinical studies, the role of LRP1 in AD pathogenesis remains to be further clarified. In this review, we discuss the potential mechanisms underlying how LRP1 affects AD pathogenesis through Aβ-dependent and -independent pathways by reviewing both clinical and preclinical studies. We also discuss potential therapeutic strategies for AD by targeting LRP1.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Guojun Bu
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL
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