In vivo and in vitro effects of an apolipoprotein e mimetic peptide on amyloid-β pathology
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Updated: May 12, 2026
Intracerebroventricular Injection of Amyloid-β Peptides in Normal Mice to Acutely Induce Alzheimer-like Cognitive Deficits
Published on: March 16, 2016
Shaila P Handattu1, Candyce E Monroe, Gaurav Nayyar
1Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA. hande@uab.edu
Background:
Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is the major apolipoprotein present in the high-density lipoprotein-like particles in the central nervous system (CNS). ApoE is involved in various protective functions in CNS including cholesterol transport, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. An ApoE peptide would be expected to exert protective effects on neuroinflammation.
Objective:
To determine the effects of an ApoE mimetic peptide Ac-hE18A-NH2 on amyloid-β pathology.
Method:
Using human APP/PS1ΔE9 transgenic mice and in vitro studies, we have evaluated the effect of an ApoE mimetic peptide, Ac-hE18A-NH2, on amyloid plaque deposition and inflammation.
Results:
Administration of Ac-hE18A-NH2 to APP/PS1ΔE9 mice for 6 weeks (50 μg/mouse, 3 times a week) significantly improved cognition with a concomitant decrease in amyloid plaque deposition and reduced activated microglia and astrocytes, and increased brain ApoE levels. Oligomeric Aβ42 (oAβ42) and oxidized PAPC (ox-PAPC) inhibited secretion of ApoE in U251 cells, a human astrocyte cell line, and this effect was ameliorated in the presence of peptide Ac-hE18A-NH2. The peptide also increased Aβ42 uptake in a cell line of human macrophages.
Conclusions:
Peptide Ac-hE18A-NH2 attenuates the effects of oxidative stress on ApoE secretion, inhibits amyloid plaque deposition, and thus could be beneficial in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
