Cellular prion protein participates in amyloid-β transcytosis across the blood-brain barrier

J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2012 Apr;32(4):628-32. doi: 10.1038/jcbfm.2012.7. Epub 2012 Feb 1.

Abstract

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) facilitates amyloid-β (Aβ) exchange between the blood and the brain. Here, we found that the cellular prion protein (PrP(c)), a putative receptor implicated in mediating Aβ neurotoxicity in Alzheimer's disease (AD), participates in Aβ transcytosis across the BBB. Using an in vitro BBB model, [(125)I]-Aβ(1-40) transcytosis was reduced by genetic knockout of PrP(c) or after addition of a competing PrP(c)-specific antibody. Furthermore, we provide evidence that PrP(c) is expressed in endothelial cells and, that monomeric Aβ(1-40) binds to PrP(c). These observations provide new mechanistic insights into the role of PrP(c) in AD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / genetics
  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism*
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / metabolism*
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / pathology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Mice
  • Models, Biological*
  • Peptide Fragments / metabolism*
  • PrPC Proteins / genetics
  • PrPC Proteins / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding / genetics
  • Transcytosis*

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Peptide Fragments
  • PrPC Proteins
  • amyloid beta-protein (1-40)