Gene delivery of human apolipoprotein E alters brain Aβ burden in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) alleles are important genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD), with the e4 allele increasing and the e2 allele decreasing risk for developing AD. ApoE has been shown to influence brain amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) and amyloid burden, both in humans and in transgenic mice. Here we show that direct intracerebral administration of lentiviral vectors expressing the three common human apoE isoforms differentially alters hippocampal Aβ and amyloid burden in the PDAPP mouse model of AD. Expression of apoE4 in the absence of mouse apoE increases hippocampal Aβ1–42 levels and amyloid burden. By contrast, expression of apoE2, even in the presence of mouse apoE, markedly reduces hippocampal Aβ burden. Our data demonstrate rapid apoE isoform-dependent effects on brain Aβ burden in a mouse model of AD. Gene delivery of apoE2 may prevent or reduce brain Aβ burden and the subsequent development of neuritic plaques.