Increased amyloid-β peptide-induced memory deficits in phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) gene knockout mice

Neuropsychopharmacology. 2013 Apr;38(5):817-25. doi: 10.1038/npp.2012.247. Epub 2012 Dec 3.

Abstract

Oxidative stress is recognized as one of the earliest and most intense pathological processes in Alzheimer's disease (AD), and the antioxidant vitamin E has been shown to efficiently prevent amyloid plaque formation and neurodegeneration. Plasma phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) has a major role in vitamin E transfers in vivo, and PLTP deficiency in mice is associated with reduced brain vitamin E levels. To determine the impact of PLTP on amyloid pathology in vivo, we analyzed the vulnerability of PLTP-deficient (PLTP-KO) mice to the toxic effects induced by intracerebroventricular injection of oligomeric amyloid-β 25-35 (Aβ 25-35) peptide, a non-transgenic model of AD. Under basal conditions, PLTP-KO mice showed increased cerebral oxidative stress, increased brain Aβ 1-42 levels, and a lower expression of the synaptic function marker synaptophysin, as compared with wild-type mice. This PLTP-KO phenotype was associated with increased memory impairment 1 week after Aβ25-35 peptide injection. Restoration of brain vitamin E levels in PLTP-KO mice through a chronic dietary supplementation prevented Aβ 25-35-induced memory deficits and reduced cerebral oxidative stress and toxicity. We conclude that PLTP, through its ability to deliver vitamin E to the brain, constitutes an endogenous neuroprotective agent. Increasing PLTP activity may offer a new way to develop neuroprotective therapies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / toxicity*
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Exploratory Behavior / drug effects
  • Lipid Metabolism / drug effects
  • Lipid Metabolism / genetics
  • Maze Learning / drug effects
  • Memory Disorders / chemically induced*
  • Memory Disorders / genetics*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Oxidative Stress / genetics
  • Peptide Fragments / toxicity*
  • Phosphatidylcholines / metabolism
  • Phospholipid Transfer Proteins / deficiency*
  • Recognition, Psychology / drug effects
  • Sphingomyelins / metabolism
  • alpha-Tocopherol / metabolism

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Phosphatidylcholines
  • Phospholipid Transfer Proteins
  • Sphingomyelins
  • amyloid beta-protein (25-35)
  • alpha-Tocopherol