Overexpression of human apolipoprotein B-100 induces severe neurodegeneration in transgenic mice

Recent studies showed correlation between increased serum apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB-100) level and Alzheimer's disease. To reveal the possible role of apoB-100 in neurodegeneration, we analyzed the serum lipoprotein and cerebral protein profiles, amyloid plaque formation, apoptosis and brain morphology of transgenic mice overexpressing the human apoB-100 protein. Serum lipoprotein profile showed significant increase of the plasma triglyceride level, while no alteration in total cholesterol was detected. The antibody microarray experiment revealed upregulation of several cytoskeletal, neuronal proteins and proteins that belong to the mitogen activated protein kinase pathway, indicating active apoptosis in the brain. Histochemical experiments showed formation of amyloid plaques and extensive neuronal death. Biochemical changes severely affected brain morphology; a dramatic genotype-dependent enlargement of the third and lateral ventricles in the brain was detected. On the basis of earlier and present results, we conclude that overexpressed human apoB-100 protein significantly increases the level of serum lipids (triglyceride upon normal chow diet and cholesterol on cholesterol-rich diet) which leads to cerebrovascular lesions and subsequently induces apoptosis and neurodegeneration.