Biomolecular studies in Alzheimer’s Disease models: investigations in vitro and in vivo

Lattanzio, Francesca (2013) Biomolecular studies in Alzheimer’s Disease models: investigations in vitro and in vivo, [Dissertation thesis], Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna. Dottorato di ricerca in Biotecnologie, farmacologia e tossicologia: progetto n. 2 "Farmacologia e tossicologia", 25 Ciclo. DOI 10.6092/unibo/amsdottorato/5507.
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Abstract

The Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most prevalent form of age-related dementia, is a multifactorial and heterogeneous neurodegenerative disease. The molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of AD are yet largely unknown. However, the etiopathogenesis of AD likely resides in the interaction between genetic and environmental risk factors. Among the different factors that contribute to the pathogenesis of AD, amyloid-beta peptides and the genetic risk factor apoE4 are prominent on the basis of genetic evidence and experimental data. ApoE4 transgenic mice have deficits in spatial learning and memory associated with inflammation and brain atrophy. Evidences suggest that apoE4 is implicated in amyloid-beta accumulation, imbalance of cellular antioxidant system and in apoptotic phenomena. The mechanisms by which apoE4 interacts with other AD risk factors leading to an increased susceptibility to the dementia are still unknown. The aim of this research was to provide new insights into molecular mechanisms of AD neurodegeneration, investigating the effect of amyloid-beta peptides and apoE4 genotype on the modulation of genes and proteins differently involved in cellular processes related to aging and oxidative balance such as PIN1, SIRT1, PSEN1, BDNF, TRX1 and GRX1. In particular, we used human neuroblastoma cells exposed to amyloid-beta or apoE3 and apoE4 proteins at different time-points, and selected brain regions of human apoE3 and apoE4 targeted replacement mice, as in vitro and in vivo models, respectively. All genes and proteins studied in the present investigation are modulated by amyloid-beta and apoE4 in different ways, suggesting their involvement in the neurodegenerative mechanisms underlying the AD. Finally, these proteins might represent novel potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets in AD.

Abstract
Tipologia del documento
Tesi di dottorato
Autore
Lattanzio, Francesca
Supervisore
Co-supervisore
Dottorato di ricerca
Scuola di dottorato
Scienze biologiche, biomediche e biotecnologiche
Ciclo
25
Coordinatore
Settore disciplinare
Settore concorsuale
Parole chiave
Alzheimer's Disease ApoE Amyloid-beta TRX1 GRX1 PIN1 SIRT1 PSEN1 BDNF
URN:NBN
DOI
10.6092/unibo/amsdottorato/5507
Data di discussione
8 Aprile 2013
URI

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