CCL2 affects β-amyloidosis and progressive neurocognitive dysfunction in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

Neuroinflammation affects the pathobiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Notably, beta-amyloid (A beta) deposition induces microglial activation and the subsequent production of proinflammatory neurotoxic factors. In maintaining brain homeostasis, microglial plasticity also enables phenotypic transition between toxic and trophic activation states. One important control for such cell activation is through the CC-chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) and its receptor, the CC-chemokine receptor 2. Both affect microglia and peripheral macrophage immune responses and for the latter, cell ingress across the blood-brain barrier. However, how CCL2-CC-chemokine receptor 2 signaling contributes to AD pathogenesis is not well understood. To this end, we now report that CCL2 deficiency influences behavioral abnormalities and disease progression in A beta precursor protein/presenilin-1 double-transgenic mice. Here, increased cortical and hippocampal A beta deposition is coincident with the formulation of A beta oligomers. Deficits in peripheral A beta clearance and in scavenger, neuroprogenitor, and microglial cell functions are linked to deficient A beta uptake. All serve to accelerate memory dysfunction. Taken together, these data support a role of CCL2 in innate immune functions relevant to AD pathogenesis. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.