Presynaptic defects underlying impaired learning and memory function in lipoprotein lipase-deficient mice.

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is predominantly expressed in adipose and muscle where it plays a crucial role in the metabolism of triglyceride-rich plasma lipoproteins. LPL is also expressed in the brain with highest levels found in the pyramidal cells of the hippocampus, suggesting a possible role for LPL in the regulation of cognitive function. However, very little is currently known about the specific role of LPL in the brain. We have generated a mouse model of LPL deficiency which was rescued from neonatal lethality by somatic gene transfer. These mice show no exogenous and endogenous LPL expression in the brain. To study the role of LPL in learning and memory, the performance of LPL-deficient mice was tested in two cognitive tests. In a water maze test, LPL-deficient mice exhibited increased latency to escape platform and increased mistake frequency. Decreased latency to platform in the step-down inhibitory avoidance test was observed, consistent with impaired learning and memory in these mice. Transmission electron microscopy revealed a significant decrease in the number of presynaptic vesicles in the hippocampus of LPL-deficient mice. The levels of the presynaptic marker synaptophysin were also reduced in the hippocampus, whereas postsynaptic marker postsynaptic density protein 95 levels remained unchanged in LPL-deficient mice. Theses findings indicate that LPL plays an important role in learning and memory function possibly by influencing presynaptic function.