Kv1.3 inhibition alleviates neuropathology via neuroinflammatory and resilience pathways in a mouse model of Aβ pathology

Kumari, R.; bowen, C.; Srivastava, U.; Brandelli, A.; Kumar, P.; kour, D.; Malepati, S.; jang, w. E.; Bromwich, M.; zeng, H.; Sing, A.; Sloan, S. A.; Wulff, H.; Rangaraju, S.

doi:10.64898/2025.12.25.696456

bioRxiv · 10.64898/2025.12.25.696456

Kv1.3 inhibition alleviates neuropathology via neuroinflammatory and resilience pathways in a mouse model of Aβ pathology

Kumari, R.·bowen, C.·Srivastava, U.·Brandelli, A.·Kumar, P.·kour, D.·Malepati, S.·jang, w. E.·Bromwich, M.·zeng, H.·Sing, A.·Sloan, S. A.·Wulff, H.·Rangaraju, S.

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Abstract

Inhibition of voltage-gated potassium channel Kv1.3 is a therapeutic strategy to curb microglia-mediated neuroinflammation in neurodegeneration, although the cellular and signaling mechanisms of disease-modification by Kv1.3 blockers are unclear. In this study, we delineate protective mechanisms of Kv1.3 blockade in a mouse model of Alzheimers disease (AD) pathology using comprehensive transcriptomics and proteomics profiling of brain, corresponding with neuropathological effects of two translationally relevant Kv1.3 blockers, namely small molecule PAP-1 and peptide ShK-223. Following 3 months of treatment, both molecules reduced Ab plaque burden. Single nuclear RNA seq (snRNA seq) of brain nuclei showed that PAP-1 disproportionately impacted oligodendrocytes and microglia and increased crosstalk between neurons and astrocytes with endothelial cells. In contrast, ShK-223 had pronounced effects on glutamatergic neurons and astrocytes. Both blockers increased expression of myelination genes in oligodendrocytes and synaptic genes in neurons. Neuroprotective effects of PAP-1 were further confirmed by bulk brain transcriptomics and proteomics whereby PAP-1 increased levels of synaptic, cognitive resilience and mitochondrial proteins, while decreasing glial and immune pathways including STAT1/3 phosphorylation. Using proximity labeling and co-immunoprecipitation, we found that Kv1.3 interacts with STAT1/3 in microglia. Using microglial cell lines and primary microglia, we discovered a preferential functional coupling between Kv1.3 and type 2 but not type 1 IFN signaling. Brain-level disease modification by Kv1.3 blockade was reflected in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) via reduced levels of neurofilament-light (NEFL) and resilience protein RPH3A, both of which are increased in human AD CSF. Together, this study demonstrates functional links between Kv1.3 channels and type 2 IFN signaling and reveals distinct cellular effects of Kv1.3 blockers in AD pathology that correspond with reduced neuropathology and neuroinflammation, augmentation of resilience and neuro-vascular pathways, along with biomarkers of therapeutic effect.

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Kumari, R., bowen, C., Srivastava, U., Brandelli, A., Kumar, P., kour, D., Malepati, S., jang, w. E., Bromwich, M., zeng, H., Sing, A., Sloan, S. A., Wulff, H., Rangaraju, S.. 2025-12-25. Kv1.3 inhibition alleviates neuropathology via neuroinflammatory and resilience pathways in a mouse model of Aβ pathology. https://doi.org/10.64898/2025.12.25.696456

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