Photo-Oxygenation as a New Therapeutic Strategy for Neurodegenerative Proteinopathies by Enhancing the Clearance of Amyloid Proteins

Alzheimer disease (AD) is associated with the aggregation of two amyloid proteins: tau and amyloid-beta (A beta). The results of immunotherapies have shown that enhancing the clearance and suppressing the aggregation of these two proteins are effective therapeutic strategies for AD. We have developed photocatalysts that attach oxygen atoms to A beta and tau aggregates via light irradiation. Photo-oxygenation of these amyloid aggregates reduced their neurotoxicity by suppressing their aggregation both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, photo-oxygenation enhanced the clearance of A beta in the brain and microglial cells. Here, we describe the effects of photo-oxygenation on tau and A beta aggregation, and the potential of photo-oxygenation as a therapeutic strategy for AD, acting via microglial clearance.

Automated summary

We developed a photocatalyst that can reduce the aggregation of Aβ and tau through photo-oxygenation, reducing their neurotoxicity and enhancing the clearance of Aβ. This study suggests the potential of photo-oxygenation as a therapeutic strategy for AD.