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Complement component C1q inhibits β‐amyloid‐ and serum amyloid P‐induced neurotoxicity via caspase‐ and calpain‐independent mechanisms
Author(s) -
Pisalyaput Karntipa,
Tenner Andrea J.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of neurochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.75
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1471-4159
pISSN - 0022-3042
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2007.05012.x
Subject(s) - neuroprotection , neurotoxicity , calpain , neurodegeneration , chemistry , complement system , caspase , neuroscience , amyloid (mycology) , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , programmed cell death , biochemistry , apoptosis , immunology , medicine , pathology , toxicity , disease , immune system , organic chemistry , enzyme , inorganic chemistry
Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by neuronal loss, β‐amyloid (Aβ) plaques, and neurofibrillary tangles. Complement protein C1q has been found associated with fibrillar Aβ deposits, however the exact contributions of C1q to Alzheimer’s disease is still unknown. There is evidence that C1q, as an initiator of the inflammatory complement cascade, may accelerate disease progression. However, neuronal C1q synthesis is induced after injury/infection suggesting that it may be a beneficial response to injury. In this study, we report that C1q enhances the viability of neurons in culture and protects neurons against Aβ‐ and serum amyloid P (SAP)‐induced neurotoxicity. Investigation of potential signaling pathways indicates that caspase and calpain are activated by Aβ, but C1q had no effect on either of these pathways. Interestingly, SAP did not induce caspase and calpain activation, suggesting that C1q neuroprotection is in distinct from caspase and calpain pathways. In contrast to Aβ‐ and SAP‐induced neurotoxicity, neurotoxicity induced by etoposide or FCCP was unaffected by the addition of C1q, indicating pathway selectivity for C1q neuroprotection. These data support a neuroprotective role for C1q which should be further investigated to uncover mechanisms which may be therapeutically targeted to slow neurodegeneration via direct inhibition of neuronal loss.