Age-dependent changes in TDP-43 levels in a mouse model of Alzheimer disease are linked to Aβ oligomers accumulation.
BACKGROUND
Transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is the pathological protein found in frontotemporal lobar degeneration with ubiquitin positive inclusions and in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In diseased tissue, TDP-43 translocates from its physiological nuclear location into the cytoplasm, where it accumulates. Additionally, C-terminal fragments of TDP-43 accumulate in affected brain regions and are sufficient to cause TDP-43 mislocalization and cytoplasmic accumulation in vitro. TDP-43 also accumulates in 30% of Alzheimer disease (AD) cases, a finding that has been highly reproducible. The role of TDP-43 in AD and its relation with Aβ and tau pathology, the two neuropathological hallmarks of AD, remains to be elucidated.


RESULTS
Here we show that levels of TDP-43 and its ~35 kDa C-terminal fragment are significantly increased in the 3×Tg-AD mice, an animal model of AD that develops an age-dependent cognitive decline linked to the accumulation of Aβ and tau. We also report that the levels of TDP-43 and its C-terminal fragment correlate with the levels of soluble Aβ oligomers, which play a key role in AD pathogenesis. Notably, genetically reducing Aβ42 production restores the levels of TDP-43 and its ~35 kDa C-terminal fragment to control levels.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest a possible relation between Aβ oligomers and TDP-43.
Department of Physiology and The Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA. oddo@uthscsa.edu.
Antonella
A
Caccamo
Andrea
A
Magrí
Salvatore
S
Oddo