Involvement of matrix metalloproteinase-9 in amyloid-β 1-42-induced shedding of the pericyte proteoglycan NG2

J Neuropathol Exp Neurol. 2014 Jul;73(7):684-92. doi: 10.1097/NEN.0000000000000084.

Abstract

Deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) 1-42, the major component of senile plaques characteristic of Alzheimer disease, affects brain microvascular integrity and causes blood-brain barrier dysfunction, increased angiogenesis, and pericyte degeneration. To understand the cellular events underlying Aβ1-42 effects on microvascular alterations, we investigated whether different aggregation forms of Aβ1-42 affect shedding of the pericyte proteoglycan NG2 and whether they affect proteolytic cleavage mediated by matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9. We found decreased levels of soluble NG2, total MMP-9, and MMP-9 activity in pericyte culture supernatants in response to fibril-enriched preparations of Aβ1-42. Conversely, oligomer-enriched preparations of Aβ1-42 increased soluble NG2 levels in the supernatants. This increase was ablated by the MMP-9/MMP-2 inhibitor SB-3CT. There was also a trend toward increased MMP-9 activity observed after oligomeric Aβ1-42 exposure. Our results, demonstrating an Aβ1-42 aggregation-dependent effect on levels of NG2 and MMP-9, support previous studies showing an impact of Aβ1-42 on vascular integrity and thereby add to our understanding of mechanisms behind the microvascular changes commonly found in patients with Alzheimer disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / pharmacology*
  • Antigens / metabolism*
  • Cell Aggregation
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Survival
  • Culture Media
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Humans
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / metabolism
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / metabolism
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / metabolism
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / metabolism*
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Peptide Fragments / pharmacology*
  • Pericytes / drug effects
  • Pericytes / metabolism*
  • Proteoglycans / metabolism*

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Antigens
  • Culture Media
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Proteoglycans
  • amyloid beta-protein (1-42)
  • chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 1