期刊名称:Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
印刷版ISSN:0027-8424
电子版ISSN:1091-6490
出版年度:1999
卷号:96
期号:24
页码:14088-14093
DOI:10.1073/pnas.96.24.14088
语种:English
出版社:The National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
摘要:Transgenic mice that overexpress mutant human amyloid precursor protein (APP) exhibit one hallmark of Alzheimer's disease pathology, namely the extracellular deposition of amyloid plaques. Here, we describe significant deposition of amyloid {beta} (A{beta}) in the cerebral vasculature [cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA)] in aging APP23 mice that had striking similarities to that observed in human aging and Alzheimer's disease. Amyloid deposition occurred preferentially in arterioles and capillaries and within individual vessels showed a wide heterogeneity (ranging from a thin ring of amyloid in the vessel wall to large plaque-like extrusions into the neuropil). CAA was associated with local neuron loss, synaptic abnormalities, microglial activation, and microhemorrhage. Although several factors may contribute to CAA in humans, the neuronal origin of transgenic APP, high levels of A{beta} in cerebrospinal fluid, and regional localization of CAA in APP23 mice suggest transport and drainage pathways rather than local production or blood uptake of A{beta} as a primary mechanism underlying cerebrovascular amyloid formation. APP23 mice on an App-null background developed a similar degree of both plaques and CAA, providing further evidence that a neuronal source of APP/A{beta} is sufficient to induce cerebrovascular amyloid and associated neurodegeneration.