MK886 reduces cerebral amyloid angiopathy severity in TgCRND8 mice

Cheryl A Hawkes1, James E Shaw, Mary Brown

  • 1Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK.

Neuro-Degenerative Diseases
|September 12, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

MK886, a 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) inhibitor, reduced amyloid-beta deposition and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) in Alzheimer's disease mouse models. This suggests 5-LOX inhibitors may treat CAA and AD.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), amyloid-beta (Aβ) deposition in brain blood vessels, is common in Alzheimer's disease (AD).
  • The 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) pathway influences Aβ deposition, with its products activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) that clear Aβ.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of MK886, a 5-LOX-activating protein (FLAP) inhibitor and PPARα antagonist, on CAA severity in a mouse model of AD.

Main Methods:

  • TgCRND8 mice, overexpressing amyloid precursor protein mutations, were treated with MK886.
  • Brain levels of key proteins and CAA severity were assessed.

Main Results:

  • MK886 treatment significantly decreased brain nicastrin and PPARα levels.
  • CAA severity and parenchymal plaque load were significantly reduced in the cortex and hippocampus of MK886-treated mice.

Conclusions:

  • Inhibition of 5-LOX and FLAP pathways shows potential therapeutic benefits for CAA and AD.
  • MK886 demonstrated efficacy in reducing amyloid pathology in a preclinical AD model.

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