title: Increased exploratory activity of APP23 mice in a novel environment is reversed by siRNA.
abstract: Genetic abnormalities in amyloid precursor protein (APP) are associated with Down's syndrome and familial Alzheimer's disease where hallmark plaques contain A beta peptides derived from APP. Both APP and its derivatives are implicated in neurodegenerative processes and may play important physiological and pathophysiological roles in synaptic function. Here, we show that young APP23 transgenic mice overexpressing human APP with the Swedish double mutation display altered novelty seeking behavior before the age of plaque onset. Using short interfering RNA (siRNA) targeted against APP, we investigate the direct contribution of APP and its derivatives to this behavioral deficit. After validating siRNAs targeting human APP in vitro, siRNAs were infused directly into the brain of APP23 mice for 2 weeks. Behavioral analysis shows that infusion of siRNA targeted against APP completely reverses increased exploratory activity in APP23 mice. Collectively, these data suggest that excessive APP and/or its derivatives, causes a hyperactive phenotype in APP23 mice when placed in a novel environment, which is fully reversible and not linked to plaque deposits.
authors.affiliation: Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Yann
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Senechal
authors.forename: Laetitia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Prut
authors.forename: Peter H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Staufenbiel
authors.forename: Francois
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Natt
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hoyer
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wiessner
authors.forename: Kumlesh K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Dev
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016466:CHO Cells; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D004777:Environment; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D058225:Plaque, Amyloid / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D034622:RNA Interference / Q000502:physiology; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering