APOE3 astrocytes can rescue lipid abnormalities and dystrophic neurites of APOE4 human neurons.

ABSTRACT: Lipid abnormalities are emerging as key pathogenic mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Lewy body dementia. Astrocytes in the brain provide APOE proteins and influence neuronal metabolism and health. Using live cell imaging and objective neurite imaging techniques, we show that following induction of cellular lipid (cholesterol and triglycerides) load by inhibiting the lysosomal cholesterol transport protein NPC1 in human neuron-astrocyte co-cultures, that human astrocytes CRISPR edited to be either APOE3 or 4 variants have different effects on rescuing dystrophic neurites, where axons and dendrites of nerve cells become disfigured. APOE3, but not APOE4 or APOEKO, astrocytes prevented cholesterol and lipid induced neurite damage in APOE4 neurons. In

SUBMITTER: Halim DO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12633476 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature