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BACE1-Deficient Mice Exhibit Alterations in Immune System Pathways.
L Stertz1, V Contreras-Shannon2, N Monroy-Jaramillo3,4
1Translational Psychiatry Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA. Laura.Stertz@uth.tmc.edu.
Molecular Neurobiology
|December 23, 2016
Summary
Beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) deficiency alters mouse behavior and brain function. BACE1-deficient mice show elevated IL-9 levels and immune pathway activation, suggesting a link between BACE1 signaling and neuroinflammation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- BACE1 (beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1) plays a role in brain function.
- BACE1 deficiency impacts behavior, dopaminergic signaling, and memory.
- Understanding BACE1's role in the brain is crucial for neurobiological research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying BACE1's role in brain function and behavior.
- To identify gene expression changes in the hippocampus of BACE1-deficient mice.
- To explore the relationship between BACE1 signaling and immune pathways.
Main Methods:
- Microarray transcriptome profiling in the hippocampus of BACE1-deficient and wild-type mice.
- Gene pathway analysis to identify enriched biological processes.
- Network analysis to map molecular interactions.
- Measurement of serum IL-9 levels.
Main Results:
- Identified 91 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in BACE1-deficient mice.
- DEGs were primarily enriched in immune and inflammation pathways, including IL-9 and NF-κB activation.
- Elevated serum IL-9 levels were observed in BACE1-deficient mice.
- Network analysis revealed a connection between NF-κB-mediated immune response and BACE1 signaling via the NRG1/Akt1 pathway.
Conclusions:
- BACE1 deficiency is associated with significant alterations in hippocampal gene expression, particularly in immune and inflammatory pathways.
- The findings suggest a novel link between BACE1 signaling and neuroinflammation, involving IL-9 and NF-κB.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the interaction between BACE1 and the IL-9 pathway in regulating brain function and behavior.
- This study provides a foundation for investigating BACE1's role in neuroimmunological and neuroinflammation-associated disorders.
