Famiano, A. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2026

A humanized Aβ mouse model reveals E4-dependent cognitive impairments, microglial activation, and cerebrovascular dysfunction

Apolipoprotein E4 (E4) increases the risk of Alzheimers disease (AD) by up to 12-fold. However, understanding of the mechanisms underlying this increased risk has been limited by a lack of preclinical models that accurately reflect the effects of E4 in the presence of humanized non-mutant amyloid-{beta} precursor protein (hA{beta}PP). Therefore, we studied novel humanized APOE and hA{beta}PP mice to investigate the contributions of the E4 genotype to cognitive, inflammatory, and vascular dysfunction, specifically comparing male and female E3/hA{beta}PP and E4/hA{beta}PP mice. E4/hA{beta}PP mice exhibited impaired nest-building behavior and novel object recognition compared with E3/hA{beta}PP mice. Microglial content was higher in E4/hA{beta}PP mice, whereas astrocyte content was not different across groups. E4/hA{beta}PP mice had greater carotid and cerebral artery stiffness, and higher collagen I content in cerebral arteries than E3/hA{beta}PP mice. Under static pressure, cerebral artery endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vasodilation were similar across genotypes. However, high pulse pressure selectively impaired cerebral artery endothelial function in E4/hA{beta}PP mice, with the greatest impairment observed in females. The E4/hA{beta}PP mice also exhibited higher cortical expression of Nox2 and Sod1 and elevated cerebral artery Il1b expression. As such, E4/hA{beta}PP mice exhibit convergent cognitive, inflammatory, and vascular abnormalities that recapitulate several features of AD. Elevated pulse pressure revealed an E4-dependent vulnerability of the cerebral vasculature, suggesting that vascular stress may be an important contributor to disease risk. Together, our findings support the use of the APOExhA{beta}PP model to investigate the mechanisms by which E4 promotes vascular dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and cognitive impairment in AD.

physiology↗

bioRxiv2025

APOE4 genotype negates the benefits of 17β-estradiol on cerebrovascular endothelial and mitochondrial function

BackgroundPostmenopausal females who carry an APOE{varepsilon}4 allele are at higher risk of late-onset Alzheimers Disease compared to age-matched APOE{varepsilon}4 males. Estrogen deficiency predisposes females to an increased risk of vascular, cognitive, and metabolic impairments. While estrogen and APOE genotype are known to impact metabolic and mitochondrial function in the brain, their cerebrovascular effects are less understood. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the interaction between APOE genotype and estrogen on cerebrovascular endothelial and mitochondrial function. MethodsYoung female homozygous APOE{varepsilon}3 and APOE{varepsilon}4 mice (n=19-20/group; ~6 months old) fed a high-fat diet were ovariectomized (OVX), OVX and supplemented with 17{beta}-estradiol, or left intact. ResultsIn APOE{varepsilon}3 mice, OVX was associated with impaired posterior cerebral artery endothelium-dependent dilation, which was rescued by 17{beta}-estradiol. However, in APOE{varepsilon}4 mice, there was no effect of OVX or 17{beta}-estradiol on cerebral artery endothelial function. Carotid artery passive stiffness was greater with OVX and lower with 17{beta}-estradiol treatment in APOE{varepsilon}3 mice, but there was no impact of OVX or 17{beta}-estradiol in the APOE{varepsilon}4 mice. In cerebral arteries and arterioles, mitochondrial complexes I and I+II respiration were lower in APOE{varepsilon}4 mice compared with APOE{varepsilon}3 mice. 17{beta}-estradiol led to higher mitochondrial complex I respiration in APOE{varepsilon}3 but not APOE{varepsilon}4 mice. These functional differences were concomitant with group differences in mitochondrial DNA copy number, antioxidant enzymes, and pro-inflammatory factors. In contrast to other outcomes, we found that 17{beta}-estradiol treatment was associated with lower cerebral artery stiffness in APOE{varepsilon}4 but not APOE{varepsilon}3 mice. ConclusionsOverall, these results indicate that the APOE genotype modulates the impact of estrogen on the cerebral vasculature. We found that 17{beta}-estradiol enhances cerebrovascular endothelial and mitochondrial function in APOE{varepsilon}3 mice but not in APOE{varepsilon}4 mice. The results suggest that 17{beta}-estradiol supplementation has more cerebrovascular benefit for APOE{varepsilon}4 non-carriers. Novelty & SignificanceO_ST_ABSWhat is known?C_ST_ABSO_LIFemales have twice the risk of Alzheimers disease compared with males, and the APOE4 genetic variant is associated with a greater risk for Alzheimers disease compared with the APOE3 variant. C_LIO_LIThe risk for Alzheimers disease increases after menopause in females, suggesting that the loss of female sex hormones may play a role. C_LIO_LIThere are highly inconsistent results among past studies examining the interaction of APOE genotype and estrogens on cognitive function and other brain outcomes. C_LI What new information does this article contribute?Vascular outcomes were not measured in previous studies examining the interaction between APOE genotype and estrogens. As such, we aimed to determine the impact of APOE4 genotype on the cerebrovascular response to estradiol. We found that estradiol improved cerebral artery endothelial function and mitochondrial respiration in APOE3 mice following ovariectomy. In contrast, APOE4 mice were refractory to the beneficial effects of estradiol on cerebrovascular endothelial and mitochondrial function. The broader implication of this research is that APOE genotype may be a consideration when prescribing hormone replacement therapy to menopausal females due to the impact on vascular outcomes.

physiology↗