Pharmacological inhibition of PKR in APPswePS1dE9 mice transiently prevents inflammation at 12 months of age but increases Aβ42 levels in the late stages of the Alzheimer's disease

Curr Alzheimer Res. 2012 Mar;9(3):344-60. doi: 10.2174/156720512800107582.

Abstract

The double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) is switched on by a wide range of stimuli, including the amyloid peptide. Then, PKR transmits signals to the translational machinery, apoptosis and inflammatory signaling pathways by interacting with some adapters. In virus-infected cells, PKR engages the nucleus factor κB (NF-κB) pathway. In many models of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and patients with AD, PKR was activated. Furthermore, there is strong evidence implicating the inflammatory process in the AD brain. However, the PKR involvement in inflammatory responses in AD is not elucidated. Based on our previous in vitro results, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a pharmacological inhibition of PKR in inflammation in APPswePS1dE9 transgenic mice. Our results showed that PKR inhibition prevented the NF-κB activation and production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and interleukin (IL)-1β at 12 months of age without decrease of Aβ42 levels and memory deficits. Surprisingly, PKR inhibition failed to prevent IL-1β- mediated inflammation and induced a great increase in β-amyloid peptide (Aβ42) levels at 18 months of age. In this model, our findings highlight the lack of relationship between inflammation and Aβ42 levels. Moreover, the age-dependent inflammatory response must be carefully taken into account in the establishment of an anti-inflammatory therapy in AD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging / genetics
  • Aging / pathology
  • Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy*
  • Alzheimer Disease / genetics
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology*
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / genetics
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / enzymology
  • Brain / pathology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Peptide Fragments / genetics
  • Peptide Fragments / metabolism*
  • Up-Regulation / genetics*
  • eIF-2 Kinase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • eIF-2 Kinase / metabolism

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Peptide Fragments
  • amyloid beta-protein (1-42)
  • eIF-2 Kinase