title: Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 protects against beta amyloid.
abstract: Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) coordinates the up-regulation of cytoprotective genes via the antioxidant response element (ARE). In the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) current evidence supports the role of oxidative stress. Considering the protective role of Nrf2 against oxidative injury, we studied Nrf2 and Nrf2-ARE target genes in transgenic AD mice and tested whether Nrf2 could confer neuroprotection against amyloid-beta peptides (Abeta). Nrf2-ARE pathway was attenuated in APP/PS1 transgenic mouse brain at the time of Abeta deposition. Boosting the activity of the Nrf2-ARE pathway by tert-butylhydroquinone treatment or adenoviral Nrf2 gene transfer protected against Abeta toxicity. This neuroprotection was associated with increased expression of Nrf2 target genes and reduced phosphorylation of p66Shc, a marker of increased susceptibility for oxidative stress. The findings suggest that the Nrf2-ARE pathway may be impaired in AD and that induction of the Nrf2-ARE defence mechanism may prevent or delay AD-like pathology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, AI Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Kuopio University, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kanninen
authors.forename: Tarja M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Malm
authors.forename: Henna-Kaisa
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Jyrkkänen
authors.forename: Gundars
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Goldsteins
authors.forename: Velta
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Keksa-Goldsteine
authors.forename: Heikki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tanila
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: Seppo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ylä-Herttuala
authors.forename: Anna-Liisa
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Levonen
authors.forename: Jari
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Koistinaho
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity*; D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D016923:Cell Death; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005838:Genotype; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D051267:NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor; D051267:NF-E2-Related Factor 2; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C075222:amyloid beta-protein (1-42)