title: Site-directed antisense oligonucleotide decreases the expression of amyloid precursor protein and reverses deficits in learning and memory in aged SAMP8 mice.
abstract: beta amyloid protein (Abeta) is a 40-43 amino acid peptide derived from amyloid precursor protein (APP). Abeta has been implicated as a cause of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Mice with spontaneous or transgenic overexpression of APP show the histologic hallmarks of AD and have impairments in learning and memory. We tested whether antisense phosphorothiolated oligonucleotides (AO) directed at the Abeta region of the APP gene given with or without antibody directed at Abeta could reverse the elevated protein levels of APP and the behavioral impairments seen in SAMP8 mice, a strain which spontaneously overexpresses APP. We found that intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of antibody with either of two AOs directed at the midregion of Abeta improved acquisition and retention in a footshock avoidance paradigm, whereas two AOs directed more toward the C-terminal, a random AO, and vehicle were without effect. Three injections of the more potent AO given without antibody reduced APP protein levels by 43-68% in the amygdala, septum, and hippocampus. These results show that AO directed at the Abeta region of APP can reduce APP levels in the brain and reverse deficits in learning and memory.
authors.affiliation: Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, St. Louis VA Medical Center, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: V B
authors.initials: VB
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Farr
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Flood
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kamlesh
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Franko
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Banks
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Morley
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000378:metabolism; D000679:Amygdala / Q000378:metabolism; D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D018782:Maze Learning; D008568:Memory; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense; D012333:RNA, Messenger