The Functional Epididymal Amyloid Cystatin-Related Epididymal Spermatogenic (CRES) is a Component of the Mammalian Brain Extracellular Matrix.

ABSTRACT: CRES is the defining member of a reproductive subgroup of family 2 cystatins of cysteine protease inhibitors. We previously showed that CRES and other subgroup members are part of a highly plastic amyloid-containing extracellular matrix (ECM) with host defense functions in the mouse epididymal lumen. Based on parallels between the epididymis and the brain, we hypothesized that CRES and CRES amyloids might also function within the brain including the ECM. Here we show that CRES is produced by hippocampal neurons and astrocytes in the male and female mouse and human brain. Further, approximately 50% of hippocampal astrocytes from aged mice, like the aged human donor samples, had significantly reduced levels of CRES compared to younger mice, suggesting an age-related decline in CRES could con

SUBMITTER: Gomez A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12265637 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature