Presynaptic defects underlying impaired learning and memory function in lipoprotein Lipase-deficient mice

Xunde Xian, Tingting Liu, Jia Yu, Yuhui Wang, Yifei Miao, Jianjun Zhang, Yan Yu, Colin Ross, Joanna M. Karasinska, Michael R. Hayden, George Liu, Dehua Chui

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

48 Scopus citations

Abstract

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is predominantly expressed in adipose and muscle where it plays a crucial role in the metabolism of triglyceriderich plasma lipoproteins. LPL is also expressed in the brain with highest levels found in the pyramidal cells of the hippocampus, suggesting a possible role for LPL in the regulation of cognitive function. However, very little is currently known about the specific role of LPL in the brain. We have generated a mouse model of LPL deficiency which was rescued from neonatal lethality by somatic gene transfer. These mice show no exogenous and endogenous LPL expression in the brain. To study the role of LPL in learning and memory, the performance of LPL-deficient mice was tested in two cognitive tests. In a water maze test, LPL-deficient mice exhibited increased latency to escape platform and increased mistake frequency. Decreased latency to platform in the step-down inhibitory avoidance test was observed, consistent with impaired learning and memory in these mice. Transmission electron microscopy revealed a significant decrease in the number of presynaptic vesicles in the hippocampus of LPL-deficient mice. The levels of the presynaptic marker synaptophysin were also reduced in the hippocampus, whereas postsynaptic marker postsynaptic density protein 95 levels remained unchanged in LPL-deficient mice. Theses findings indicate that LPL plays an important role in learning and memory function possibly by influencing presynaptic function.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)4681-4685
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Neuroscience
Volume29
Issue number14
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 8 2009

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

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