GFAP and vimentin deficiency alters gene expression in astrocytes and microglia in wild‐type mice and changes the transcriptional response of reactive glia in mouse model for Alzheimer's disease
- 2 March 2015
- Vol. 63 (6), 1036-1056
- https://doi.org/10.1002/glia.22800
Abstract
Reactive astrocytes with an increased expression of intermediate filament (IF) proteins Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) and Vimentin (VIM) surround amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The functional consequences of this upregulation are unclear. To identify molecular pathways coupled to IF regulation in reactive astrocytes, and to study the interaction with microglia, we examined WT and APPswe/PS1dE9 (AD) mice lacking either GFAP, or both VIM and GFAP, and determined the transcriptome of cortical astrocytes and microglia from 15- to 18-month-old mice. Genes involved in lysosomal degradation (including several cathepsins) and in inflammatory response (including Cxcl5, Tlr6, Tnf, Il1b) exhibited a higher AD-induced increase when GFAP, or VIM and GFAP, were absent. The expression of Aqp4 and Gja1 displayed the same pattern. The downregulation of neuronal support genes in astrocytes from AD mice was absent in GFAP/VIM null mice. In contrast, the absence of IFs did not affect the transcriptional alterations induced by AD in microglia, nor was the cortical plaque load altered. Visualizing astrocyte morphology in GFAP-eGFP mice showed no clear structural differences in GFAP/VIM null mice, but did show diminished interaction of astrocyte processes with plaques. Microglial proliferation increased similarly in all AD groups. In conclusion, absence of GFAP, or both GFAP and VIM, alters AD-induced changes in gene expression profile of astrocytes, showing a compensation of the decrease of neuronal support genes and a trend for a slightly higher inflammatory expression profile. However, this has no consequences for the development of plaque load, microglial proliferation, or microglial activation. GLIA 2015;63:1036–1056Keywords
Funding Information
- AFA Research Foundation, ALF Göteborg (project 11392)
- EU FP 7 Program TargetBraIn (project 279017)
- Internationale Stichting Alzheimer Onderzoek (ISAO 08504/12509)
- Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (VICI grant 865.09.003 to E.M.H.)
- Swedish Medical Research Council (project 11548)
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