Perineuronal nets are largely unaffected in Alzheimer model Tg2576 mice.
Changes in the molecular organization of the extracellular matrix are key factors in neuropathology. We investigated aggrecan-based perineuronal nets (PNs) in relation to neurodegeneration and activation of glial cells in a transgenic mouse (Tg2576) model of Alzheimer's disease. The formation of amyloid plaques in the cerebral cortex occurred independently of the area-specific distribution of PNs. Matrix components were only affected in the core of plaques in advanced stages of pathology. PNs remained unchanged in the large marginal zone occupied by reactive astrocytic processes. We conclude that the aggrecan-based extracellular matrix of PNs is not enzymatically altered in peripheral plaque territories and is only removed after neuronal death.
Morawski
Markus
M
Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, Jahnallee 59, D-04109 Leipzig, Germany.
Pavlica
Sanja
S
Seeger
Gudrun
G
Grosche
Jens
J
Kouznetsova
Elena
E
Schliebs
Reinhard
R
Brückner
Gert
G
Arendt
Thomas
T
D053674:Aggrecans / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011508:Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D058225:Plaque, Amyloid / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013379:Substrate Specificity / Q000235:genetics
D053674:Aggrecans; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D011508:Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid