β-Amyloid Deposition and Neurofibrillary Tangle Association with Caspase Activation in Down Syndrome

Elizabeth Head, University of California - Irvine
I. T. Lott, University of California - Irvine
David H. Cribbs, University of California - Irvine
Carl W. Cotman, University of California - Irvine
Troy T. Rohn, Boise State University

Abstract

Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) develop senile plaques, neurofibrillary tangles (NFT), and neuron loss. Recent studies demonstrate the activation of apoptotic pathways in AD; less data is available in DS. The DS brain was examined using immunocytochemistry and antibodies against the active fragment of caspase-8 (AC, 8) and to caspase-3 cleavage products of fodrin (CCP), a neuronal cytoskeleton protein. The hippocampus demonstrated widespread accumulation of fodrin CCP and AC8 in NFTs and dystrophic neurites. Individual neurons contained intracellular β-amyloid (Aβ) and fodrin CCP providing evidence that caspase activation can occur with both NFT and Aβ. Aβ within or around neurons in addition to contributing to NFT formation may also trigger apoptotic pathways. Caspase activation may lead to the cleavage of critical cellular proteins and neuronal cell death associated with DS.