Silica Nanoparticle Exposure Implicates β-Amyloid (1-42) Inbound and the Accelerating Alzheimer's Disease Progression in Mice Overexpressing Mutated Forms of Human Amyloid Precursor Protein and Presenilin 1 Genes

Chem Res Toxicol. 2024 Feb 19;37(2):429-438. doi: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.3c00378. Epub 2024 Jan 9.

Abstract

The increasing nanoparticle (NP) applications in the biomedical field have become an emerging concern regarding human health. NP exposure may play a role in the accelerating Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression; however, the etiology of this disorder is complex and remains largely unclear. Here, we identified that intravenous injection of silica NPs (SiNPs) caused the blood-brain barrier breakdown via downregulating tight junction-related gene expressions. Meanwhile, SiNPs upregulate the transport receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) that govern the β-amyloid (Aβ) influx to the brain; however, low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) that controls the efflux of Aβ from the brain was not affected. Consequently, an increase in Aβ burden in the brain of SiNP-challenged APP/PS1 mice was found. Intriguingly, plasma apolipoprotein E (ApoE) adsorbed on the surface of SiNPs partially relieves this effect. Using ApoE knockout (ApoE-/-) mice, we confirmed that SiNPs covered with serum without ApoE showed further elevated AD symptoms. Together, this study offered a compilation of data to support the potential risk factors of NP exposure and AD pathology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease* / metabolism
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / genetics
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Apolipoproteins E / genetics
  • Apolipoproteins E / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Nanoparticles*
  • Peptide Fragments*
  • Presenilin-1 / genetics
  • Silicon Dioxide

Substances

  • amyloid beta-protein (1-42)
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor
  • Presenilin-1
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Apolipoproteins E
  • Silicon Dioxide
  • Peptide Fragments