Dynein dysfunction disrupts β-amyloid clearance in astrocytes through endocytic disturbances

Neuroreport. 2014 May 7;25(7):514-20. doi: 10.1097/WNR.0000000000000124.

Abstract

We showed previously that aging attenuates the interaction between dynein-dynactin complexes in cynomolgus monkey brain and that dynein dysfunction reproduces age-dependent endocytic disturbances, resulting in intracellular β-amyloid (Aβ) accumulation, synaptic vesicle transport deficits, and neuritic swelling. It remains unclear whether such endocytic disturbances also occur in glial cells. Here, we show that endocytic pathology, such as intracellular accumulation of enlarged endosomes, occurs in astrocytes of aged monkey brains. Also, Aβ accumulates in these enlarged endosomes. RNA interference studies have shown that dynein dysfunction reproduces astroglial endocytic pathology and disrupts Aβ clearance in astrocytes through endocytic disturbances. These findings suggest that endocytic disturbances can alter astroglial functions and may also be involved in age-dependent Aβ pathology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging*
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Astrocytes / metabolism*
  • Astrocytes / ultrastructure
  • Brain / cytology*
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dynactin Complex
  • Dyneins / metabolism*
  • Endocytosis / physiology*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / metabolism
  • Macaca fascicularis
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / pharmacology
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Vesicular Transport Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
  • Dynactin Complex
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Vesicular Transport Proteins
  • Dyneins