Doss, Sydney V.

Abstract Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) proteomics offers insights into molecular changes in aging and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Key AD biomarkers, in particular amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau, in CSF are strongly associated with APOE genotype, the strongest genetic risk determinant of AD. To investigate how APOE genotype influences CSF proteome across AD pathology and age, we analyzed 362 neurology-related proteins and established AD biomarkers in CSF from 145 cognitively unimpaired participants in the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging. Importantly, our cohort is uniquely balanced across APOE genotypes, with similar representation of APOE2 carriers, APOE3/3 genotype, and APOE4 carriers. We identified several proteins, including lipid metabolism-related Lp-PLA2 and immune-related ITGAM, with strong APOE genotype-specific association. Notably, meta-analysis confirmed that ITGAM levels were consistently higher in APOE4 compared to APOE2 carriers across multiple cohorts and proteomic platforms. In addition, with increasing amyloid deposition, APOE4 carriers exhibited stronger immune responses, reflected by elevated ITGAM, TNF-α receptors, and IL-6, whereas APOE2 carriers showed attenuated responses. We further observed sex-specific effects among APOE2 carriers, characterized by distinct patterns in amyloid and CXCL11 levels. These findings suggest distinct mechanisms underlying APOE2’s protective and APOE4’s detrimental effects in brain aging and AD, paving for personalized diagnostics and interventions.

AbstractBackgroundHomozygosity for the rare APOE3‐Christchurch (APOE3Ch) variant, encoding for apoE3‐R136S (apoE3‐Ch), was linked to resistance against an aggressive form of familial Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Carrying two copies of APOE3Ch was sufficient to delay autosomal AD onset by 30 years. This remarkable protective effect makes it a strong candidate for uncovering new therapies against AD. Thus, we aim to explore the protective mechanisms of APOE3Ch against AD onset, to inform therapy.MethodsWe used both amyloid mouse models and human induced‐pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) models to address this aim. We examined whether astrocytic expression of apoE3‐Ch through an AAV‐mediated approach can mitigate AD‐related pathology and toxicity in early (3.5 months old) and late (8 months old) amyloid pathology in 5xFAD mice. We also used isogenic iPSC lines carrying the APOE3Ch variant that were generated from APOE3 parental lines using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Biochemical and biophysical properties of both recombinant and native apoE3‐Ch lipoprotein particles secreted by iPSC‐derived astrocytes have been investigated using different techniques including heparin affinity chromatography and size‐exclusion chromatography.ResultsWe investigated the impact of astrocytic apoE3‐Ch on amyloid pathology and toxicity in 3.5‐month‐old and 8‐month‐old 5xFAD mice. We confirmed successful AAV‐mediated overexpression of apoE3 and apoE3‐Ch in astrocytes. We found apoE3‐Ch specific changes in protein levels and solubility. Astrocytic expression of apoE3‐Ch reduced soluble Aβ oligomer levels and ameliorated ER stress response compared to apoE3 in the 8‐month‐old 5xFAD mice. Furthermore, our findings showed altered biochemical properties of HEK cell‐derived apoE3‐Ch protein, including decreased heparin binding, altered receptor binding, and enhanced lipid accepting capacity. We also characterized APOE3Ch iPSC‐derived cell models, including iPSC‐derived astrocytes, neurons, and cerebral organoids, and found differences between APOE3 and APOE3Ch at the functional level in these iPSC models.ConclusionsThe proposed work and the developed methods to study apoE3‐Ch promises to provide new insights into the possible roles of this rare, mutated protein in protecting against AD, offering new therapeutic avenues for AD treatment.

AbstractBackgroundAccumulation of the amyloid‐β (Aβ) peptide into amyloid plaque is one of the key pathological markers of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is known to modify AD risk and has been reported to influence Aβ accumulation in the brain in an isoform‐dependent manner. ApoE can be produced by various cell types in the brain, with astrocytes being the main producer. Increasing studies show that altering apoE levels can influence Aβ plaque pathology. However, it is not fully understood how apoE produced by specific cell types, such as astrocytes, contributes to amyloid pathology.MethodWe utilized mouse models expressing APOE isoforms in astrocytes and crossed them with 5xFAD mouse models of amyloidosis. We analyzed the changes to amyloid plaques and assessed the impact on cellular responses to amyloid plaques in condition of astrocytic APOE expression.ResultSpecific expression of APOE3 in astrocytes resulted in compact amyloid plaques and a large increase in plaque deposition, while the total plaque burden was reduced. Astrocytic APOE2 expression led to similar changes to amyloid plaques, but the fold change is lower comparing to that in astrocytic APOE3 models. Intriguingly, the total microglial response increased dramatically in condition of astrocytic APOE3 expression but not in condition of astrocytic APOE2 expression. Further, the ratio of plaque associated Lgals3/Iba1 is higher in condition of astrocytic APOE3 expression, indicating increased microglial activation. Additionally, astrocyte GFAP levels only increased in astrocytic APOE3 models, but not in astrocytic APOE2 models. Finally, APOE isoform effect on dystrophic neurites amount was also observed.ConclusionTogether, our study reveals an important role of astrocytic APOE on the deposition and accumulation of Aβ plaques as well as on Aβ‐associated downstream effects.

A rare APOE variant APOE3 -Jac reduces self-aggregation and promotes healthy brain aging.