The ?4 allele of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene is the strongest genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) compared to the more common ?3 allele. Studies in animal models and humans suggest that apoE4 exhibits both loss-of-function and gain-of-toxic-function compared to apoE3. In regulating amyloid pathology, apoE4 is less efficient than apoE3 in mediating the clearance of amyloid-? (A?) peptides and is more dominant in promoting A? aggregation. Outside the A? pathway, apoE4 is also less efficient in transporting lipid and supporting synapses. These studies led to an important yet unanswered question as to whether it is better to increase or decrease apoE levels in AD therapy. As there have not been studies addressing the effects of modulating apoE expression in adult mice, we have developed new animal models that allow for inducible and cell-type specific expression of apoE3 or apoE4. To take advantage of these unique animal models, we have established biochemical, pathological, and behavioral analyses that distinguish apoE3- and apoE4-related phenotypes. Thus, the major goal of this proposal is to investigate how an increase or decrease of apoE3 or apoE4 expression with or without amyloid pathology affects apoE isoform-related functions, synapses and behavior. Our overall hypothesis is that decreasing apoE levels in APOE4 carriers and increasing apoE levels in APOE3 carriers respectively represent promising treatment and/or preventive strategies for AD. We propose three specific aims to test our hypothesis.
In Aim 1, we will examine how over-expression of apoE3 or apoE4 at different ages and at different stages of amyloid pathology affects A? metabolism, plaque deposition, synapses and behavior. These studies will be carried out in the background of apoE3-targeted replacement (TR) mice or apoE4-TR mice, without or with amyloid model APP/PS1 background.
In Aim 2, we will investigate how down-regulation of apoE3 or apoE4 expression at different ages and at different stages of amyloid pathology affects A? metabolism, plaque deposition, synapses and behavior. These studies will be carried out in the background of apoE knockout mice in the absence or presence of APP/PS1. Finally in Aim 3, we will assess how peripheral expression of apoE3 or apoE4 impacts brain A? metabolism, plaque deposition, synapses, behavior and cardiovascular health. These studies will be carried out in the absence of apoE expression in the brain. Together, our studies will for the first time test how up-regulation or down-regulation of apoE isoforms in the adult brain or periphery at different ages and at different stages of amyloid pathology affects AD pathogenesis. Results from these studies will provide mechanistic insights for apoE-based AD prevention and therapy.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AG046205-02
Application #
8744260
Study Section
Cell Death and Injury in Neurodegeneration Study Section (CDIN)
Program Officer
Petanceska, Suzana
Project Start
2013-09-30
Project End
2018-06-30
Budget Start
2014-08-01
Budget End
2015-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Jacksonville
State
FL
Country
United States
Zip Code
32224
Zhao, Na; Liu, Chia-Chen; Qiao, Wenhui et al. (2018) Apolipoprotein E, Receptors, and Modulation of Alzheimer's Disease. Biol Psychiatry 83:347-357
Ogaki, Kotaro; Martens, Yuka A; Heckman, Michael G et al. (2018) Multiple system atrophy and apolipoprotein E. Mov Disord 33:647-650
Zhao, Na; Liu, Chia-Chen; Van Ingelgom, Alexandra J et al. (2018) APOE ?2 is associated with increased tau pathology in primary tauopathy. Nat Commun 9:4388
Tachibana, Masaya; Yamazaki, Yu; Liu, Chia-Chen et al. (2018) Pericyte implantation in the brain enhances cerebral blood flow and reduces amyloid-? pathology in amyloid model mice. Exp Neurol 300:13-21
Liu, Chia-Chen; Zhao, Na; Fu, Yuan et al. (2017) ApoE4 Accelerates Early Seeding of Amyloid Pathology. Neuron 96:1024-1032.e3
Zheng, Honghua; Jia, Lin; Liu, Chia-Chen et al. (2017) TREM2 Promotes Microglial Survival by Activating Wnt/?-Catenin Pathway. J Neurosci 37:1772-1784
Nielsen, Henrietta M; Chen, Kewei; Lee, Wendy et al. (2017) Peripheral apoE isoform levels in cognitively normal APOE ?3/?4 individuals are associated with regional gray matter volume and cerebral glucose metabolism. Alzheimers Res Ther 9:5
Rogers, Justin T; Liu, Chia-Chen; Zhao, Na et al. (2017) Subacute ibuprofen treatment rescues the synaptic and cognitive deficits in advanced-aged mice. Neurobiol Aging 53:112-121
Liu, Chia-Chen; Hu, Jin; Zhao, Na et al. (2017) Astrocytic LRP1 Mediates Brain A? Clearance and Impacts Amyloid Deposition. J Neurosci 37:4023-4031
Zhao, Na; Liu, Chia-Chen; Van Ingelgom, Alexandra J et al. (2017) Apolipoprotein E4 Impairs Neuronal Insulin Signaling by Trapping Insulin Receptor in the Endosomes. Neuron 96:115-129.e5

Showing the most recent 10 out of 56 publications