First Author | Shin MK | Year | 2014 |
Journal | Neurobiol Aging | Volume | 35 |
Issue | 5 | Pages | 990-1001 |
PubMed ID | 24268884 | Mgi Jnum | J:212736 |
Mgi Id | MGI:5582036 | Doi | 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2013.10.091 |
Citation | Shin MK, et al. (2014) Neuropep-1 ameliorates learning and memory deficits in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model, increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in the brain, and causes reduction of amyloid beta plaques. Neurobiol Aging 35(5):990-1001 |
abstractText | Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by amyloid beta (Abeta) deposits, hyperphosphorylated tau deposition, and cognitive dysfunction. Abnormalities in the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which plays an important role in learning and memory formation, have been reported in the brains of AD patients. A BDNF modulating peptide (Neuropep-1) was previously identified by positional-scanning synthetic peptide combinatorial library. Here we examine the neuroprotective effects of Neuropep-1 on several in vitro neurotoxic insults, and triple-transgenic AD mouse model (3xTg-AD). Neuropep-1 protects cultured neurons against oligomeric Abeta1-42, 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium, and glutamate-induced neuronal cell death. Neuropep-1 injection also significantly rescues the spatial learning and memory deficits of 3xTg-AD mice compared with vehicle-treated control group. Neuropep-1 treatment markedly increases hippocampal and cortical BDNF levels. Furthermore, we found that Neuropep-1-injected 3xTg-AD mice exhibit dramatically reduced Abeta plaque deposition and Abeta levels without affecting tau pathology. Neuropep-1 treatment does not alter the expression or activity of full-length amyloid precursor protein, alpha-, beta-, or gamma-secretase, but levels of insulin degrading enzyme, an Abeta degrading enzyme, were increased. These findings suggest Neuropep-1 may be a therapeutic candidate for the treatment of AD. |