Cai Yuanqin, Wang Xi, Xiang Yang, Wang Zhenning, Long Qinghua, Zeng Chuhua
Key Laboratory of Yunnan Province for Research and Prevention of Neuropsychiatric Disorders with Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yunnan Provincial Department of Education, Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
Health Science Center, Hubei Minzu University, Enshi, Hubei, China.
J Alzheimers Dis. 2025 Jul;106(1):317-330. doi: 10.1177/13872877251339484. Epub 2025 May 5.
Background (CPPs) shows neuroprotective potential in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and may reduce neuronal apoptosis by modulating endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS).ObjectiveTo investigate the protective mechanisms of CPPs against neuronal apoptosis in APP/PS1 mice, focusing on the ERS response and the PERK-ATF4-CHOP signaling pathway.MethodsAPP/PS1 mice were orally administered CPPs at different doses. Their learning and memory abilities were evaluated using the Morris water maze (MWM). The integrity of hippocampal neurons and senile plaque deposition were assessed using histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. The expression of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques secretase protein, ERS markers, and apoptosis-related proteins was assessed using western blot analyses. The affinity of the PERK-ATF4-CHOP pathway and CPPs was analyzed and assessed using molecular docking.ResultsMWM testing revealed that CPPs improved the learning and memory abilities of APP/PS1 mice. Histopathological examination confirmed that CPPs reduced hippocampal neuronal apoptosis. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence analysis showed that CPPs decreased Aβ protein expression and ERS. Western blot analysis further confirmed that CPPs reduced the expression of proteins related to Aβ synthesis; downregulated the expression of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), PERK, ATF4, CHOP, and Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax), while upregulating the expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2).ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that CPPs exert neuroprotective effects by targeting the PERK-ATF4-CHOP signaling pathway and alleviating ERS, suggesting a novel approach and potential therapeutic agent for AD treatment.
环肽(CPPs)在阿尔茨海默病(AD)中显示出神经保护潜力,可能通过调节内质网应激(ERS)减少神经元凋亡。
研究CPPs对APP/PS1小鼠神经元凋亡的保护机制,重点关注ERS反应和PERK-ATF4-CHOP信号通路。
对APP/PS1小鼠口服不同剂量的CPPs。使用莫里斯水迷宫(MWM)评估其学习和记忆能力。采用组织病理学、免疫组织化学和免疫荧光评估海马神经元的完整性和老年斑沉积。使用蛋白质印迹分析评估淀粉样β(Aβ)斑块分泌酶蛋白、ERS标志物和凋亡相关蛋白的表达。使用分子对接分析和评估PERK-ATF4-CHOP通路与CPPs的亲和力。
MWM测试显示CPPs改善了APP/PS1小鼠的学习和记忆能力。组织病理学检查证实CPPs减少了海马神经元凋亡。免疫组织化学和免疫荧光分析表明CPPs降低了Aβ蛋白表达和ERS。蛋白质印迹分析进一步证实CPPs降低了与Aβ合成相关的蛋白质表达;下调了葡萄糖调节蛋白78(GRP78)、PERK、ATF4、CHOP和Bcl-2相关X蛋白(Bax)的表达,同时上调了B细胞淋巴瘤2(Bcl-2)的表达。
本研究表明CPPs通过靶向PERK-ATF4-CHOP信号通路并减轻ERS发挥神经保护作用,为AD治疗提供了一种新方法和潜在治疗药物。