Colocalisation of plasma derived apo B lipoproteins with cerebral proteoglycans in a transgenic-amyloid model of Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by cerebral proteinaceous deposits comprised of amyloid beta (Aβ). Evidence suggests that enhanced blood-to-brain delivery of Aβ occurs when plasma concentration is increased, exacerbating amyloidosis. In blood, significant Aβ is associated with apolipoprotein (apo) B lipoproteins. In this study, immunofluorescent microscopy was utilised to explore if there is an association between apo B lipoproteins and proteoglycan expression within Aβ-rich plaques in transgenic-amyloid mice. Focal accumulation of apo B was found with Aβ-plaque in APP/PS1 mice. There was enrichment in the proteoglycans, agrin, perlecan, biglycan and decorin within the core of dense Aβ-plaque. Perlecan, biglycan and decorin were positively associated with apo B lipoprotein abundance within amyloid plaque consistent with a cause-for-retention effect. These findings show that proteoglycans are an integral component of Aβ deposits in APP/PS1 mice. This study suggests that some proteoglycans contribute to Aβ retention, whilst other proteoglycans have different functions in the aetiology of AD.