The effects of NOS2 gene deletion on mice expressing mutated human AβPP

Carol A. Colton, Donna M. Wilcock, David A. Wink, Judianne Davis, William E. Van Nostrand, Michael P. Vitek

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

82 Scopus citations

Abstract

Nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2) and its gene product, inducible NOS (iNOS) play an important role in neuroinflammation by generating nitric oxide (NO), a critical signaling and redox factor in the brain. Although NO is associated with tissue damage, it can also promote cell survival. We hypothesize that during long-term exposure to amyloid-β (Aβ) in Alzheimer's disease (AD), NO levels fall in the brain to a threshold at which the protective effects of NO cannot be sustained, promoting Aβ mediated damage. Two new mouse models of AD have been developed that utilize this concept of NO's action. These mice express human amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP) mutations that generate Aβ peptides on a mouse NOS2 knockout background. The APP/NOS2 -/- bigenic mice progress from Aβ production and amyloid deposition to hyperphosphorylated normal mouse tau at AD-associated epitopes, aggregation and redistribution of tau to somatodendritic regions of neurons and significant neuronal loss including loss of interneurons. This AD-like pathology is accompanied by robust behavioral changes. As APP/NOS2-/- bigenic mice more fully model the human AD disease pathology, they may serve as a tool to better understand disease progression in AD and the role of NO in altering chronic neurological disease processes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)571-587
Number of pages17
JournalJournal of Alzheimer's Disease
Volume15
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2008

Keywords

  • Alternative activation
  • Alzheimer's disease
  • Amyloid
  • Microglia
  • Mouse models
  • Neuroinflammation
  • Nitric oxide

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neuroscience (all)
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The effects of NOS2 gene deletion on mice expressing mutated human AβPP'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this