Effects of Heparin and Enoxaparin on APP Processing and Aβ Production in Primary Cortical Neurons from Tg2576 Mice
2011

Effects of Heparin and Enoxaparin on APP Processing and Aβ Production in Mice

Sample size: 12 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Cui Hao, Hung Amos C., Klaver David W., Suzuki Toshiharu, Freeman Craig, Narkowicz Christian, Jacobson Glenn A., Small David H.

Primary Institution: Menzies Research Institute Tasmania, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Hypothesis

Do heparin and enoxaparin influence APP processing and inhibit Aβ production in primary cortical cell cultures?

Conclusion

Heparin and enoxaparin decrease APP processing and Aβ production in cortical neurons.

Supporting Evidence

  • Heparin and enoxaparin significantly lowered levels of Aβ40 in the culture medium.
  • Heparin decreased the level of β-secretase (BACE1) and α-secretase (ADAM10).
  • Both GAGs inhibited sAPPα and Aβ secretion.
  • Enoxaparin was less effective than heparin in reducing Aβ levels.

Takeaway

Heparin and enoxaparin can help reduce harmful proteins in the brain that are linked to Alzheimer's disease.

Methodology

Primary cortical cells from Tg2576 mice were treated with heparin or enoxaparin, and levels of APP and its products were measured by western blotting.

Potential Biases

Potential bias in the interpretation of results due to the specific mouse model used.

Limitations

The study primarily used a single mouse model and may not fully represent human Alzheimer's disease.

Participant Demographics

Cortical cells derived from Tg2576 transgenic mice.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.01

Statistical Significance

p<0.01

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0023007

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