Skip to main content
Article
Diabetes and Hypercholesterolemia Increase Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability and Brain Amyloid Deposition: Beneficial Effects of the LpPLA2 Inhibitor Darapladib
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease (2013)
  • Nimish K. Acharya, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Eli C. Levin, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
  • Peter M. Clifford, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
  • Min Han, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
  • Ryan Tourtellotte, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
  • Dean Chamberlain, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
  • Michael Pollaro, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
  • Nicholas J. Coretti, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
  • Mary C. Kosciuk, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Eric P. Nagele, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
  • Cassandra DeMarshall, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Theresa Freeman, Thomas Jefferson University
  • Yi Shi, Thomas Jefferson University
  • Chenbing Guan, GlaxoSmithKline
  • Colin H. Macphee, GlaxoSmithKline
  • Robert L. Wilensky, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
  • Robert G. Nagele, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypercholesterolemia (HC) have emerged as major risk factors for Alzheimer's disease, highlighting the importance of vascular health to normal brain functioning. Our previous study showed that DM and HC favor the development of advanced coronary atherosclerosis in a porcine model, and that treatment with darapladib, an inhibitor of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2, blocks atherosclerosis progression and improves animal alertness and activity levels. In the present study, we examined the effects of DM and HC on the permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) using immunoglobulin G (IgG) as a biomarker. DMHC increased BBB permeability and the leak of microvascular IgG into the brain interstitium, which was bound preferentially to pyramidal neurons in the cerebral cortex. We also examined the effects of DMHC on the brain deposition of amyloid peptide (Aβ42), a well-known pathological feature of Alzheimer's disease. Nearly all detectable Aβ42 was contained within cortical pyramidal neurons and DMHC increased the density of Aβ42-loaded neurons. Treatment of DMHC animals with darapladib reduced the amount of IgG-immunopositive material that leaked into the brain as well as the density of Aβ42-containing neurons. Overall, these results suggest that a prolonged state of DMHC may have chronic deleterious effects on the functional integrity of the BBB and that, in this DMHC pig model, darapladib reduces BBB permeability. Also, the preferential binding of IgG and coincident accumulation of Aβ42 in the same neurons suggests a mechanistic link between the leak of IgG through the BBB and intraneuronal deposition of Aβ42 in the brain.
Keywords
  • Alzheimer's disease,
  • amyloid-β,
  • autoantibodies,
  • blood-brain barrier,
  • cholesterol,
  • darapladib,
  • diabetes mellitus,
  • immunoglobulin,
  • lipoprotein-associated phospholipase-A2 (LpPLA2),
  • microvasculature
Publication Date
March 29, 2013
DOI
10.3233/JAD-122254
Citation Information
Nimish K. Acharya, Eli C. Levin, Peter M. Clifford, Min Han, et al.. "Diabetes and Hypercholesterolemia Increase Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability and Brain Amyloid Deposition: Beneficial Effects of the LpPLA2 Inhibitor Darapladib" Journal of Alzheimer's Disease Vol. 35 Iss. 1 (2013) p. 179 - 198
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/nimish-acharya/6/