Expression of the apoptosis-related proteins caspase-3 and NF-kappaB in the hippocampus of Tg2576 mice.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relations between neuroapoptosis and the onset and development of Alzheimer's disease (AD), especially the role of NF-kappaB in the regulation of neuroapoptosis.


METHODS
Caspase-3 and NF-kappaB (p50) expressions in the CA3 region of the hippocampus in APPswe Tg2576 transgenic mice were studied from postnatal day 0-180, using Nissl staining, immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR methods.


RESULTS
Both neuronal apoptosis and NF-kappaB activity decreased gradually with the increase of age in wild type and Tg2576 mice. However, the number of caspase-3-positive or NF-kappaB-positive pyramidal cells in Tg2576 mice was greater than that in age-matched wild type mice, with significant differences after postnatal day 14 (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Linear regression analyses of caspase-3 and NF-kappaB expression demonstrated a correlation between neuroapoptosis and activity of NF-kappaB.


CONCLUSIONS
The process of neuroapoptosis is consistent with the onset and development of AD. Furthermore, the observed correlation between neuroapoptosis and NF-kappaB activity suggests a role of NF-kappaB in hippocampal neuroapoptosis.
Niu
Yan-Li
YL
Institute of Neurobiology, Nursing College of Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China.
Zhang
Wei-Juan
WJ
Wu
Ping
P
Liu
Bin
B
Sun
Guo-Tao
GT
Yu
Dong-Ming
DM
Deng
Jin-Bo
JB
D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000544:Alzheimer Disease; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D056654:CA3 Region, Hippocampal / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D002452:Cell Count; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D017966:Pyramidal Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism
D016328:NF-kappa B; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C505409:Casp3 protein, mouse; D053148:Caspase 3