Selective over expression of TDP-43 in APP/PS1 mice alters APP processing

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The greatest risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD) is aging, with an estimated 5.3 million people aged 65 and older with the disease. The pathology of AD consists primarily of amyloid-beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) composed of microtubule-associated protein tau. The major pathological protein in frontotemporal dementia and motor neuron disease is Transactive response DNA-binding Protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43). Similar to tau, pathological TDP-43 becomes hyper-phosphorylated and is present in neuronal inclusions. Recently, TDP-43 aggregation has also been described in up to 50% of sporadic and 14% of familial Alzheimer's disease cases. We describe that overexpression of TDP-43 increases b-secretase (Bace1) protein levels and knockdown of TDP-43 alters b and g C-terminal fragment processing in cortical neuron cultures. Also, in APP/PS1 mice selectively over-expressing TDP-43 in cortical and hippocampal neurons there is a distinct change in amyloid deposition similar to what is observed in APP mice over-expressing Bace1. Based on these observations, we hypothesize that changes in TDP-43 expression alters APP processing and Bace1 activity in APP/PS1 mice. This overexpression of neuronal and/or glial specific human TDP-43 will lead to changes in APP processing, behavioral deficits, and subsequent neurodegeneration. Mechanisms associated with TDP-43 expression affecting Bace1 activity in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model have not been explored. In this in vivo mouse model we want to explore what effect cell-specific expression of TDP-43 has on the neuropathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. For those suffering from Alzheimer's disease there is an age-dependent increase BACE activity increasing APP processing leading to accelerated neurodegeneration. Understanding mechanisms associated with these changes and how age contributes could enrich our understanding of the progression of Alzheimer's disease. This in vivo model potentially could lead to the development of new therapeutics targeted at slowing the progression.