Apolipoprotein E highly correlates with AbetaPP- and tau-related markers in human cerebrospinal fluid

J Alzheimers Dis. 2008 Nov;15(3):409-17. doi: 10.3233/jad-2008-15307.

Abstract

We assessed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of apolipoprotein E (apoE), phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) activity, cholesterol, secreted amyloid-beta protein precursor alpha and beta (sAbetaPPalpha, sAbetaPPbeta), amyloid-beta peptides 1-40 (Abeta_{40}) and 1-42 (Abeta_{42}), total tau and tau phosphorylated at threonine 181 (pTau) in neurologically healthy, cognitively intact adults. ApoE significantly correlated with sAbetaPPalpha (r = 0.679), sAbetaPPbeta (r = 0.634), Abeta_{40} (r = 0.609), total and pTau (r = 0.589 and r = 0.673, respectively, all p < 0.001), PLTP activity (r = 0.242, p = 0.002) and cholesterol (r = 0.194, p < 0.01). PLTP activity significantly correlated with sAbetaPPalpha (r = 0.292), sAbetaPPbeta (r = 0.281), total and pTau (r = 0.265 and 0.258, respectively; all p <or= 0.001). Using partial correlations of CSF biomarkers with apoE, PLTP activity, age and gender, apoE remained significantly correlated with sAbetaPPalpha, sAbetaPPbeta, Abeta_{40}, total and pTau (p < 0.001). The presence of apoE epsilon2 was associated with lower levels of apoE, PLTP activity and Abeta_{42}, while APOEepsilon4} had no significant impact on any of the measured variables. Our data suggest that there is a significant physiological link between apoE and AbetaPP, as well as between apoE and tau in neurologically healthy, cognitively intact individuals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging / metabolism
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Apolipoproteins E / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Biomarkers
  • Cholesterol / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nerve Degeneration / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Nerve Degeneration / metabolism
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Phospholipid Transfer Proteins / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Reference Values
  • Regression Analysis
  • Young Adult
  • tau Proteins / cerebrospinal fluid*

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor
  • Apolipoproteins E
  • Biomarkers
  • Phospholipid Transfer Proteins
  • tau Proteins
  • Cholesterol