Are apolipoprotein E fragments a promising new therapeutic target for Alzheimer’s disease?

Abstract

Human apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is a 299-amino acid secreted glycoprotein that binds cholesterol and phospholipids. ApoE exists as three common isoforms (ApoE2, ApoE3, and ApoE4) and heterozygous carriers of the ε4 allele of the gene encoding ApoE (APOE) have a fourfold greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The enzymes thrombin, cathepsin D, α-chymotrypsin-like serine protease, and high-temperature requirement serine protease A1 are responsible for ApoE proteolytic processing resulting in bioactive C-terminal-truncated fragments that vary depending on ApoE isoforms, brain region, aging, and neural injury. The objectives of the present narrative review were to describe ApoE processing, discussing current hypotheses about the potential role of various ApoE fragments in AD pathophysiology, and reviewing the current development status of different anti-ApoE drugs. The exact mechanism by which APOE gene variants increase/decrease AD risk and the role of ApoE fragments in the deposition are not fully understood, but APOE is known to directly affect tau-mediated neurodegeneration. ApoE fragments co-localize with neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid β (Aβ) plaques, and may cause neurodegeneration. Among anti-ApoE approaches, a fascinating strategy may be to therapeutically overexpress ApoE2 in APOE ε4/ε4 carriers through vector administration or liposomal delivery systems. Another approach involves reducing ApoE4 expression by intracerebroventricular antisense oligonucleotides that significantly decreased Aβ pathology in transgenic mice. Differences in the proteolytic processing of distinct ApoE isoforms and the use of ApoE fragments as mimetic peptides in AD treatment are also under investigation. Treatment with peptides that mimic the structural and biological properties of native ApoE may reduce Aβ deposition, tau hyperphosphorylation, and glial activation in mouse models of Aβ pathology. Alternative strategies involve the use of ApoE4 structure correctors, passive immunization to target a certain form of ApoE, conversion of the ApoE4 aminoacid sequence into that of ApoE3 or ApoE2, and inhibition of the ApoE-Aβ interaction.

Keywords

Alzheimer’s disease antisense oligonucleotides apolipoprotein E dementia fragments proteolysis tau protein therapeutics

Introduction

The human apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is a 35 kDa glycoprotein encoded in three more frequent isoforms (ApoE2, ApoE3, and ApoE4) and one very rare (ApoE3r) isoform. The four variants (ε², ε³, ε⁴, and ε³r) of the human APOE gene coding for the different protein isoforms are determined by four haplotypes,^1,2 originated from the allele association of two common single-nucleotide polymorphisms rs429358 (C^3,937 → T) and rs7412 (C^4,075 → T) at the APOE locus (19q13.32). The APOE2 variant is identified by the haplotype T^3,937 − T^4,075, the APOE3 variant by the haplotype T^3,937 −C^4,075, and the APOE4 variant by the haplotype C^3,937−C^4,075. The fourth haplotype, C^3,937 − T^4,075, identifies APOE3r.^1–3 Each C → T transition of the first base in two CGC codons corresponding at nucleotides 3937 (rs429358) and 4075 (rs7412), encoding arginine (Arg), induces the formation of the TGC codons encoding cysteine (Cys). Therefore, ApoE2 protein isoform (Cys¹¹²−Cys¹⁵⁸) is encoded by the ε2 haplotype (T^3,937−T^4,075), the ApoE3 protein isoform (Cys¹¹²−Arg¹⁵⁸) is encoded by the ε3 haplotype (T^3,937−C^4,075), and the ApoE4 protein isoform (Arg¹¹²− Arg¹⁵⁸) is encoded by the ε4 haplotype (C^3,937−C^4,075). Consequently, the protein isoform ApoE3r (Arg¹¹² − Cys¹⁵⁸) is encoded by the ε3r haplotype (C^3,937 − T^4,075). Notably, both ε3 and ε3r are ∼34 kDa glycoproteins of 299 amino acids (aa), which are indistinguishable from each other by means of the classical protein analysis methods.^1,2 In Caucasians, more than 95% of genetic variability in APOE is represented by these four isoforms,⁴ and they are probably the most investigated gene variants in human genome.

ApoE is involved in modulating synaptic function,^5,6 blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity,^7–9 neuronal receptor recycling,¹⁰ and physiological processes (including cytoskeletal assembly and stability, mitochondrial integrity and function, and dendritic morphology and function) and numerous metabolic pathways such as lipid transport,¹¹ glucose metabolism,^12,13 and insulin signaling.^14,15

ApoE was first identified in 1973 as a lipoprotein constituent of very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL),¹⁶ high-density lipoproteins (HDL), and chylomicrons, as it was established that dietary cholesterol altered APOE distribution in plasma. Thus, ApoE keeps the same structure in both VLDL and HDL and plays a pivotal role for cholesterol and other lipid transport, participating in their redistribution to cells and facilitating their internalization in cells. However, while the role of ApoE in lipid pathophysiology may be associated with normal aging, its function in central nervous system (CNS) pathophysiology needs clarification. Nevertheless, APOE genotype is an established risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), independent of its role in the pathophysiology of lipid metabolism.¹⁷

HDL and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) are present in individuals with exceptional longevity and their offspring, but their particle sizes are larger compared with controls.¹⁸ ApoE protein is required for healthy cholesterol metabolism and CNS cholesterol transport. In very old individuals, total ApoE levels in plasma seem to correlate with lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels, which in turn are correlated with allele ε2.¹⁹ The presence of an abnormal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lipid profile and lower capacity to deliver neuronal cholesterol has been related to the ε4 allele.²⁰ Detrimental APOE ε4 allele effects might be managed by nutritional interventions,²¹ in particular with a Mediterranean diet including higher intakes of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.^22,23 So, in healthy aging and longevity, lipid and cholesterol upkeep is an important factor.

About 25% of total body cholesterol resides in the CNS, playing an important role in synaptic plasticity.²⁴ Cholesterol metabolism can change with advancing age, and its alteration in the brain may be associated with AD development.²⁴ In addition, in the hippocampus and cortical areas of AD patients, there is decreased cholesterol compared with age-matched controls.²⁵ Moreover, modifiable lifestyle factors such as education, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and smoking may attenuate genetic risk for accelerated age-related cognitive decline. The complex interactions between genetics, lifestyle, and cognitive aging may encourage behaviors preserving cognitive health into later life.²⁶

ApoE is important not only for the pathophysiology of lipid metabolism²⁷ and CNS, but also for healthy aging and longevity.^28–31 Longevity studies focus on lifespan, while healthy aging studies consider healthspan; they are correlated because persons who live long have a tendency to be healthy for much of their lives.³² Healthy aging can be defined as reaching older age without multimorbidity (i.e. the coexistence of two or more chronic conditions in the same individual) or disabilities, and with intact cognition and/or mobility.³² The probability of an extreme human lifespan is reduced by the detrimental effects on longevity related to the APOE ε4 allele.³³ In long-lived individuals, the ε2 allele is more frequent than ε4.³⁴ The elevated frequency of the homozygous ε3/ε3 genotype compared with the heterozygous ε2/ε3 or ε3/ε4 genotypes produces a higher frequency of the ε3 allele in older individuals and their offspring than in controls. Thus, the homozygous ε3/ε3 genotype is the main longevity factor.³⁵

Since the early 90s, several studies have pointed out that ApoE could have a central role in AD neurodegeneration. Allele ε4, linked to the ApoE4 isoform, represents a key genetic risk factor for noninherited forms of AD (NIAD),^36–39 with a semidominant inheritance.⁴⁰ Nevertheless, in NIAD, the ApoE2 isoform might exert a protective effect.^36,41–43 Although in APOE ε4 carriers the risk for NIAD is definitely increased, the presence of the APOE ε4 allele is not a causal factor for AD pathology.^44–46

In AD pathogenesis, ApoE binds and transports amyloid β (Aβ) peptides,^47–50 with differential affinity for Aβ according to ApoE isoform. Affinity is highest for lipid-associated ApoE4, intermediate for lipid-associated ApoE3, and lowest for lipid-associated ApoE2.^51–54 Accordingly, distinct ApoE isoforms may exert different effects on Aβ aggregation and clearance,^51,55–59 and also on Aβ production.⁶⁰ ApoE also modulates microglial responses to amyloid plaque pathology^61,62 and can affect tauopathy and tau-mediated neurodegeneration.^63–65

Thus, distinct ApoE isoforms may either increase the risk for AD^48,52 or have a protective role,⁶⁶ depending on the different effects of fragments of distinct ApoE isoforms on deposition of Aβ.^58,67,68 Brain ApoE is indeed present in smaller fragments (ApoE peptides), which are biologically active.⁶⁹ It has been shown that the concentration of specific proteolytic fragments of ApoE is increased in AD brain⁷⁰ and that some synthetic peptides of ApoE may be neurotoxic.^71,72 The impact of ApoE fragments in AD pathogenesis remains unclear. Differences in the proteolytic processing of distinct ApoE isoforms are also under investigation. In the present narrative review, we have considered biochemical studies about APOE proteolysis, focusing on the enzymes involved in such processes and on the fragments produced by each enzyme. Furthermore, we have focused on recent studies about APOE fragments and their role in AD pathogenesis. In addition, we will review the current development status of different anti-ApoE drugs, and will discuss the feasibility of modulating ApoE processing as a new AD therapeutic approach.

Methods

The present was a narrative review article. We performed separate searches in the US National Library of Medicine (PubMed), Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), EMBASE, Scopus, Ovid, and Google Scholar databases to find original articles of interest. The search strategy used in PubMed and MEDLINE and adapted to the other four electronic sources was based upon searches using the following terms to identify risk exposure (apolipoprotein E OR APOE AND fragments AND enzymes) combined with terms to determine the outcomes of interest [Alzheimer’s disease OR dementia AND (pathogenesis OR development OR treatment OR therapeutics OR drugs OR compounds)]. Identified studies were analyzed for additional references of interest. The last search was performed on October 15, 2021. No language restriction was adopted. Two investigators (F.L.V., P.B.) independently and in duplicate searched for articles, screened titles and abstracts of the retrieved articles, reviewed the full texts, and selected articles for their inclusion. The following inclusion criteria were applied: original studies in cell and animal models and humans. Technical reports, letters to the editor, and systematic and narrative review articles were excluded. Data were cross-checked, any discrepancy was discussed, and disagreements were resolved by a third researcher (D.S.).

The ApoE structure

Encoded by the APOE gene at locus 19q13.32, APOE is a 299 aa glycoprotein of 34 kDa, found in several classes of lipoproteins in both humans and other vertebrates. In humans, peripheral and CNS ApoE does not cross the BBB, thus forming two independent ApoE pools with no exchange.^73,74 In the periphery, ApoE is produced primarily by hepatocytes,⁷⁵ while in the CNS APOE derives mostly from astrocytes, activated microglia, vascular mural cells, and the choroid plexus.^76,77 Although it was initially suggested that only astrocytes synthesize ApoE in the brain,⁷⁸ subsequent studies have demonstrated that under various physiological and pathological conditions, CNS neurons can express ApoE, even if at lower levels than astrocytes.^63,79,80

ApoE is synthetized as a preprotein of 317 aa, with a signal peptide of 18 aa removed in the post-translational phase. ApoE is composed of two structural domains that are linked by an unstructured short hinge region. The NH₂-(N)-terminal elongated domain (aa 1-167) forms a 4 α-helix bundle and presents a region rich in basic Arg and lysine (Lys) residues (aa 135-150) that creates the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R)-binding region. Extracellularly, ApoE binds lipoproteins or lipid complexes and transports them to cells via specific neuronal and glial transmembrane receptors such as LDL-related protein (LRP).⁸¹

The carboxyl-(C)-terminal domain (aa 206-299) is composed of amphipathic α-helices [characteristic of the exchangeable apolipoprotein and contains the lipid-binding region (aa 244-272)]. As previously described, ApoE was identified as a main apolipoprotein/component in HDL particles, VLDL, and chylomicron remnants, being a fundamental ligand in the uptake of these lipoproteins by members of the LDL-R family, except for HDL particles. The structural organization of ApoE in HDL profoundly impacts its ability to regulate cholesterol homeostasis in AD and cardiovascular diseases.

ApoE also serves as the primary cholesterol chaperone in the neuropil and maintains brain cholesterol homeostasis. At residues 141-150, the dual-domain ApoE mimetic peptide Ac-hE18A-NH2 (ligand active site of the protein) co-localizes with a major heparin-binding site.⁸² This peptide, the putative receptor-binding region of human ApoE, is covalently linked to a well-characterized class A amphipathic helix, 18A, which has no sequence homology to any other exchangeable apolipoprotein sequences. It demonstrates dramatic ability to reduce plasma cholesterol levels in dyslipidemic mouse and rabbit models.⁸²

The ApoE3 and ApoE3r structures

The ApoE3 isoform, characterized by the aa combination Cys¹¹² − Arg¹⁵⁸, is the major ApoE isoform in humans and is therefore considered the wild-type (or parental) isoform. ApoE3 includes a domain for lipid association between aa 203-266 and a globular domain between aa 1-191 encompassing the LDL-R-binding region.^83,84 ApoE3 promotes clearance of triglyceride-rich lipoprotein particles, producing normal plasma lipid levels. Residues 1-167 of the N-terminal domain form an antiparallel 4 α-helix bundle⁸⁵ and present the nonpolar aspect of the amphipathic helices. The C-terminal domain encompasses aa 206-299 and has three α-helices presenting a large, exposed hydrophobic surface. Both terminal domains are separated by a hinge region. Through hydrogen bonds and salt bridges the α-helices interact with those in the NH2-terminal helix bundle domain. The LDL-R recognizes a site within the helix bundle domain, while the lipid-binding ability of the protein depends on the C-terminal domain. In helix 4 of the helix bundle domain, there are basic residues (mainly Arg and Lys), corresponding to aa 136-150, that interact with acidic residues present in the ligand-binding domain of the LDL-R family.⁸⁶ Arg¹⁷² is also necessary for ApoE receptor binding activity.⁸⁷

Interestingly, the isoform ApoE3r, characterized by the aa combination Arg¹¹²−Cys¹⁵⁸, has the same molecular weight and electrical charge of the parental form, ApoE3. ApoE3r has been shown to have normal VLDL receptor binding activity,¹ resulting in an ApoE3-like lipid asset. However, ApoE3r is the rarest isoform across the population worldwide.¹ The appearance of ApoE3r isoform during evolution and its role in lipid metabolism and CNS pathophysiology need to be further elucidated.²

The ApoE4 structure

The ApoE4 isoform, the second most common allele, differs from ApoE3 in the change of Cys¹¹² to Arg, producing a combination Arg¹¹² − Arg¹⁵⁸. The resultant change in structure and stability of both terminal domains results in enhanced lipid binding. In particular, the substitution of a Cys side chain with a positively charged Arg side chain in the N-terminal helix bundle domain is responsible for its destabilization.^88,89 At variance with ApoE3, in ApoE4 the presence of Arg at position 112 reconfigures the Arg⁶¹ side chain with formation of a saline bridge with glutamic acid (Glu)²⁵⁵ in the C-terminal region.^90,91 Such binding, probably together with other allosteric effects,⁹² produces an altered relationship between the N- and C-terminal regions. In particular, the Cys¹¹² to Arg substitution in ApoE4 leads to unfolding of certain helical segments that reduces self-association and is probably related to a reduced ability of ApoE4 to form tetramers, and is expected to enhance the binding of ApoE4 to plasma triglyceride-rich lipoprotein particles and to brain Aβ deposits.⁹³ A recently suggested mechanism based on lipid binding between the N- and C-terminal domains proposed that separation of the two domains, along with the presence of intrinsically disordered regions, may control protein motions. This mechanism may partly explain why ApoE3 and ApoE4 are functionally different, why lipid may increase the binding of ApoE to its receptor, and why specific residues may be conserved.⁹⁴

The ApoE2 structure

The ApoE2 isoform, the third most common allele, differs from ApoE3 by a single aa substitution Arg¹⁵⁸ → Cys, producing the aa combination Cys¹¹² − Cys¹⁵⁸. Due to this, the salt-bridge between Arg¹⁵⁸ and aspartic acid (Asp)¹⁵⁴ in the α-helix of ApoE2 (which is present in ApoE3) is absent, while it is present between Asp¹⁵⁸ and Arg¹⁵⁰.⁹⁵ The novel salt-bridge induces a conformational change of Arg¹⁵⁰ relative to the other basic residues in the receptor-binding domain, so that it is no longer able to interact with the LDL-R, reducing binding between ApoE2 and the LDL-R, and resulting in reduced clearance of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins associated with type III hyperlipoproteinemia.¹⁷

The role of ApoE in AD pathogenesis

APOE is considered the most important genetic risk factor for sporadic AD.⁹⁶ Heterozygous carriers of the APOE ε4 allele have a 4-fold greater risk of developing AD, whereas homozygous APOE ε4 carriers have a 12-fold greater risk, compared with APOE ε3 carriers. Conversely, the relative rare APOE ε2 allele is associated with a 40% lower AD risk and being homozygous for it further reduces the risk.⁹⁷ Similarly, homozygous carriers of the rare ‘Christchurch’ mutation of APOE ε3 (R136 S) appear resistant to autosomal-dominant AD.⁹⁸ Compared with APOE ε3 homozygotes, cognitively normal APOE ε4 carriers show higher Aβ and tau brain burden while APOEε2 carriers have lower global Aβ burden – however, they do not differ on regional tau burden or tau accumulation over time.⁹⁹ Thus, APOE ε4 carriers show earlier, and APOE ε2 carriers later, onset of cognitive impairment compared with APOE ε3 homozygotes. Nevertheless, the effect of APOE genotype on rate of cognitive decline after disease onset remains controversial.¹⁰⁰ Although initial studies linked APOE with Aβ aggregation and clearance, recently it has emerged that the role of APOE in AD pathogenesis involves tau-mediated neurodegeneration,¹⁰¹ microglia dysfunction,^102–104 astrocyte responses,^11,105 and BBB disruption.^106,107

The ApoE-cutting enzymes

As seen above, under various physiological and pathological conditions, CNS neurons can express ApoE, even if at lower levels than astrocytes.^63,79,80 Indeed, various in vivo and in vitro studies suggest that ApoE fragmentation occurs in neurons (not neuroglia) in specific brain regions. ApoE fragments are found only in the neocortex and hippocampus of ApoE-expressing transgenic mice.⁶³ The proteolytic process usually yields C-terminal-truncated ApoE fragments in an isoform-dependent manner (ApoE4 > ApoE3).⁷⁰ Specifically, ApoE4 cleavage produces more neurotoxic fragments than ApoE3, these fragments only being generated by neurons and not astrocytes.^63,108 Both murine and human neuronal precursor cells produce increased ApoE levels when challenged with Aβ peptides.¹⁰⁹ In the hippocampus, the formation of intraneuronal phospho-tau-containing filamentous inclusions is stimulated by production of C-terminal-truncated ApoE4 fragments,⁶³ although the protease(s) responsible for ApoE fragmentation have not been confirmed. It has been reported that Aβ_1-42 treatment of Neuro-2a cells transfected with either ApoE3 or ApoE4 cDNA significantly increased C-terminal truncated ApoE3 and ApoE4 levels, suggesting that the peptide activates intracellular protease(s).⁷⁰ It has also been demonstrated that intracellular Aβ/amyloid precursor protein (APP) C-terminal fragments raised ApoE levels and C-terminal fragments thereof,¹⁰⁹ leading to the assumption that intracellular Aβ accumulation has a different effect on ApoE than exogenous application of Aβ peptides.

Two classes of proteases have so far been suggested as mediators of ApoE fragmentation, targeting Asp and Ser. Four enzymes appear to play a critical role: cathepsin D (the only aspartic protease identified) and thrombin (a serine protease), α-chymotrypsin-like serine protease, and high-temperature requirement serine protease A1 (HtrA1). Specific ApoE fragments are involved early in neurodegenerative processes impacting deposition of Aβ plaques, tau hyperphosphorylation, and intracellular formation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) (Figure 1).^110–112 α-Chymotrypsin-like serine proteases and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 probably mediate the fragmentation process in the neuropil, while cathepsin D mediates the process in neuronal cytoplasm.¹¹³ Cathepsin D mediated ApoE fragments in the cytoplasm of the neurons and ApoE co-localize to a subset of predominantly senile plaques and some NFTs in the human post-mortem frontal cortex.¹¹⁴ In studies of serine proteases, ApoE fragments were found in the culture medium but not in cell lysates, which could imply that serine proteases are secreted to mediate fragmentation of ApoE in the extra-neuronal environment.

Figure 1.

Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) fragments generated by cutting of enzymes.

Thrombin

Thrombin, a serine protease belonging to chymotrypsin family,¹¹⁵ has a 36-residue polypeptide A chain and a 259-residue B chain, linked by a disulfide bridge at the corresponding Cys¹ and Cys¹²² residues.^115,116 The A chain may be superfluous to its enzymatic function.¹¹⁷ This structure presents two basic anion-binding exosites and one Na⁺-binding site.¹¹⁸ Anion-binding exosite I (the fibrinogen recognition exosite) is the recognition site for many cofactors and procoagulant substrates (such as fibrinogen and thrombomodulin), and thrombin cleaves protease activated receptor 1 (PAR-1). Exosite II is the heparin-binding site and the principal interaction site of the platelet glycoprotein receptor IbAα.⁷⁹

In AD pathophysiology, a role for this enzyme has been suggested,¹¹⁹ given that AD patients have amyloid deposits, senile plaques, NTFs, and micro-vessels, all containing thrombin. In addition, neuronal cells express prothrombin mRNA,^120,121 and it has been observed that PAR-1, PAR-3 and PAR-4 are up-regulated in rat hippocampus.¹²² Thrombin cannot process phosphorylated tau protein, resulting in intracellular aggregates of tau protein in hippocampal neurons, but it may induce proteolysis of microtubule-associated tau protein in vitro.¹²³ Activation of PAR-1/4 and ERK1/2 pathways is implicated in thrombin-induced hyperphosphorylation and aggregation of tau.¹²⁴ Hyperphosphorylated tau deposits are neurotoxic and, in the hippocampus, may lead to neuronal apoptosis.¹²⁴ In vitro, the thrombin-mediated cleavage of APP promotes Aβ accumulation and amyloid plaque formation.^125,126 Although some studies indicated that Aβ neurotoxic effects could be alleviated by thrombin, it is also possible that it may increase Aβ neurotoxicity through intracellular influx of calcium ions and high oxidative stress.^127,128 Arg¹⁹¹/alanine (Ala)¹⁹² (major site) and Arg²¹⁵/Ala²¹⁶ (minor site) are two thrombin cleavage sites on the ApoE protein.¹²⁹ ApoE cleavage by thrombin creates a 22 kDa fragment and a 10–12 kDa fragment. The ApoE N-terminal 22 kDa fragment originating from the ApoE4 isoform shows greater neurotoxicity compared to that originating from ApoE3.^71,84

Cathepsin D

The lysosomal enzyme cathepsin D is implicated in unfolded, unused, and damaged protein degradation and is highly expressed in the brain. Through autophagy and endocytosis processes, these damaged proteins are delivered into lysosomes and degraded.¹³⁰ Dysregulation of cathepsin D enzymatic activity may lead to accumulation and aggregation of various proteins, and is involved in several proteinopathies. Cathepsins are proteases including several members differentiating for the aa number in the active site: cathepsins B, C, F, H, K, L, O, S, V, W, and X comprise the cysteine cathepsin family; cathepsins A and G, the serine cathepsin family; while D and E are the aspartyl cathepsin family. All human tissues express cathepsins B, L, H, C and D, while A, G, K, S, V, X and W CatD are tissue-specific and based on cell type.^131–137 Preprocathepsin D, the synthetized inactive zymogen, is proteolytically cleaved and cathepsin D is activated; preprocathepsin D contains an N-terminal signal peptide, a propeptide, and a catalytic domain.^135–137 Cathepsin D is mainly involved in degradation of proteins in lysosomes, but also has key roles in signal transduction pathways, such as activation of enzymatic precursors, prohormones and growth factors, brain-specific antigen processing, neuronal cell homeostasis, and apoptotic processes.^138,139 Cathepsin D is a pathology-specific biomarker involved in neurodegenerative disorders such as AD, but is also implicated in cancer, atherosclerosis, and inflammation.^140–143 As cathepsin D might have neuroprotective effects by blocking abnormal tau accumulation, cathepsin D deficiency may induce elevation in C-terminally truncated tau variants, thus promoting neurotoxicity.¹⁴⁴

In human ApoE, 13 cathepsin D cutting-sites are found, which preferentially cleave aromatic aa in the C-terminus.¹⁴⁵ Interestingly, there is only one of the 13 cathepsin D cutting-sites at tryptophan (Trp)²¹⁰ in the ApoE hinge. This finding confirms the preferential generation of a 22 kDa thrombin fragment with cleavage in the hinge region of ApoE. The predicted mass of the aa 1-210 ApoE peptide is 24 kDa.¹⁴⁶ As such a peptide should present an O-glycosylation site at Thr¹⁹⁴, the actual molecular mass of the aa 1-210 ApoE peptide should be closer to 25 kDa.¹⁴⁷ Notably, in post-mortem human brain tissue the 24 kDa ApoE fragment co-localizes with Aβ plaques and NFTs.¹⁴⁸

α-Chymotrypsin-like serine protease

α-Chymotrypsin-like serine protease cleaves aromatic and specific hydrophobic aa. ApoE has 67 sites for cleavage by α-chymotrypsin-like serine protease, and in the hinge, region Leu¹⁹⁸, Leu²⁰³, Trp210, Leu²¹⁴, and Met²¹⁸ are identified. Cleavage generates peptides from 23 kDa to 25 kDa (or from 24 to 26 kDa including O-glycosylation) in size. However, the endogenous pattern of ApoE fragmentation may be reflected by the profile of ApoE fragmentation mediated by cathepsin D.¹⁴⁹ The aa 272-299 are included in the C-terminal ApoE4 fragment produced by this enzyme.^72,114

High-temperature requirement serine protease A1

The HtrA1 belongs to a four-enzyme subfamily of serine proteases in humans.¹⁵⁰ At variance with HtrA2 (which is a mitochondrial transmembrane protein), HtrA1, HtrA3 and HtrA4 have identical regional composition: an insulin-like growth factor–binding protein domain (IGF-BD), a Kazal motif followed by a trypsin-like catalytic domain (KM), and a PDZ region.¹³⁷ Although regulation of HtrA1 activity is still under debate, the IGF-BD and PDZ domains are dispensable for its activity.^151,152 Indeed, a feature of an elastase-like serine protease activity is the cleavage of ApoE after valine (Val)¹⁹⁴ by HtrA1, thus generating a 25 kDa N-terminal ApoE fragment encompassing aa 1-195. The PDZ domain can influence HtrA1 protease activity by interacting with a specific substrate, although its activity may be similar to a trypsin-like serine protease.^151,153 Notably, HtrA1 can mediate ApoE4 proteolysis of more rapidly than that of ApoE3.^154,155

The role of ApoE isoforms in fragment generation

The three ApoE isoforms differ in their physical properties, including lipid-binding capacity, type of lipids bound, domain-domain interactions, and stability. The isoform-dependent secretion of ApoE and its immunomodulatory effects could be attributable to post-translational modifications.¹⁵⁶ ApoE3 and ApoE2 are less sensitive to proteolytic cleavage than ApoE4.¹⁵⁷ The greater instability of ApoE4 is due to its presentation of numerous protease-sensitive sites in the hinge region, including to thrombin,¹⁵⁸ cathepsin D,¹¹⁴ and HtrA1,^155,159 and its vulnerable N- and C-terminal domains.¹¹² In addition, ApoE 14-20 kDa N-terminal fragments¹¹¹ and ApoE 10-15 kDa C-terminal fragments¹⁰⁹ have been also shown to be more frequent in AD patients than in age-matched controls. The 4 α-helix bundle of ApoE4 is partially opened and extended, so exposing the hydrophobic surface of the protein. Therefore, proteolytic enzymes may have greater access to the short hinge region¹⁶⁰ and the hydrophobic region, as compared to other isoforms. These differences may account for the lower AD risk in APOE ε2 carriers.^36,161,162 Notably, AD patients carrying the APOE ε2 allele have reduced Aβ deposition in the neocortex¹⁶³ and reduced formation of NFTs.¹⁶⁴

Recently, it has been shown that the 25 kDa ApoE fragment may be neuroprotective, and is more abundantly produced in brains of APOE ε3 carriers compared to APOE ε4 carriers.¹⁵⁹ This finding suggests that reduction of ApoE3 fragments with neuroprotective effects may contribute to neurodegeneration in AD, alongside the neurotoxic impact of ApoE4 fragments. Other detailed studies are required to understand the function of ApoE fragments not only in astrocytes and microglia cells, but also in non-neuronal cell types and their exact role in AD development, lipid metabolism, healthy aging and longevity.

ApoE2 contains a Cys¹⁵⁸ residue and its substitution with Arg makes this isoform more stable and resistant to thermal and chemical denaturation than ApoE3 and ApoE4.¹⁶⁵ Furthermore, in both these isoforms, the presence of a negative Cys¹¹² residue reduces their propensity for domain interactions compared to ApoE4, which has a positive Arg¹¹² residue.¹⁶⁶ New synapse formation is promoted by increased dendritic outgrowth mediated by ApoE2, thus protecting against AD-related synaptic loss.¹¹⁰ ApoE protects cells from oxidative injury in vitro, but such activity varies by isoform: ApoE2 is the most effective, ApoE3 is moderately effective, while ApoE4 is the least effective.¹⁶⁷ The immunomodulatory effects of ApoE also vary by isoform, and a new study indicates that isoform status dictates its own the glycosylation state and secretion.¹⁵⁶

The role of ApoE peptides in neurodegeneration and AD

The interaction between ApoE and Aβ is influenced by various factors, including the ApoE isoform and its lipidation, and Aβ levels.¹⁶⁸ In healthy brain, Aβ can associate with ApoE, which is involved in its metabolism and clearance. The brains of both cognitively intact controls and AD patients contain full-length ApoE, high molecular weight (HMW-22–30 kDa) and low molecular weight (LMW-10–20 kDa) fragments in varying quantities, although fragments are more frequent in AD brains than in those of controls. Nonetheless, the proportions of the various fragments are similar in both groups, as well as among the various APOE genotypes.¹⁶⁹ APOE ε4 carriers’ brains have more fragments than non-carriers’ brains.^157,170 Each of the post-cleavage ApoE4 domains is associated with a specific pathological process in AD brain: C-terminal domain binds to Aβ and localizes to senile plaques, while the N-terminal region mainly localizes with NFTs.¹⁰⁸ N-terminal truncated ApoE fragments appears to be the major species in Aβ deposits in AD brains.¹⁷¹ In human brain, the dynamic processes involving cholesterol and Aβ may be impaired by loss of ApoE4 function,⁷⁰ given that the accumulation of intraneuronal Aβ peptides is also correlated with the APOE ε4 genotype.¹⁷²

Low lipidation of ApoE4 favors its binding to Aβ, which may induce generation of ApoE-fragment/Aβ heteromers, increasing Aβ accumulation and AD risk (Figure 2).¹⁷³ It is this ApoE4/Aβ interaction that plays a main role in AD development, while each component in isolation seems less critical.¹⁷⁴ ApoE fragments lacking N-terminus and C-terminus, together with Aβ accumulation, may also favor AD pathology. Such ApoE fragments are without the Aβ transporter-binding domain, and formation of ApoE-fragment/Aβ heteromers decelerates Aβ clearance and favors accumulation. ApoE4 is more efficient than other isoforms in favoring ApoE-fragment/Aβ heteromer formation.¹⁷⁰ Furthermore, ApoE can increase formation of Aβ oligomers.^169,175 In AD brain, 3 ApoE fragments have been found – 18 kDa (ApoE18), 16 kDa (ApoE16) and 12 kDa (ApoE12) – with the 18 and 16 kDa forms being hybrid heteromers composed by Aβ_1-42 peptides and ApoE middle fragments. One study showed that the formation of Aβ/ApoE16 and Aβ/ApoE12 heteromers (but not those involving ApoE18) seems to correlate with memory deficits in AD.¹¹² Only the ApoE18 fragment was significantly increased, while ApoE16 and ApoE12 fragments were less elevated.¹⁰⁹ Furthermore, the observation of increased hippocampal Aβ/ApoE18 heteromer suggested that it might serve as a biomarker for AD pathology.¹¹²

Figure 2.

The role of apolipoprotein E (ApoE) peptides in neurodegeneration and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In the brain, astrocytes and activated microglia synthesize ApoE. In neurons, ApoE is cleaved in the C-terminal domain that binds to amyloid β (Aβ) and localizes to plaques; and in the N-terminal domain that localizes with NFTs. Low ApoE lipidation influences the binding of ApoE4 to Aβ, promoting ApoE-fragment/Aβ heteromer generation. ApoE fragments without N- and C-terminal domains (ApoE 133-149, ApoE 141-149, ApoE 141-155, 12 kDa fragment) do not have the Aβ transporter-binding domain – these fragments (together with Aβ accumulation) favor the formation of ApoE-fragment/Aβ heteromers, decelerating Aβ clearance and favoring Aβ accumulation in AD. The lipidated form of ApoE interacts with NFTs through its amino acid residues 245-260. Imbalance between the activities of tau protein kinases and phosphatases promotes accumulation of tau protein in neurons. C-terminal truncated ApoE fragments induce oxidative stress and inflammation, releasing pro-inflammatory cytokines. Increased MMP-9 leads to β-site amyloid precursor protein–cleaving enzyme-1 (BACE-1) activation and/or apoptosis, and interleukin (IL)-1β interacting with neurons by LDL-related protein receptor induces NFT formation.

ApoE mediates clearance of Aβ-protein from the neuropil by acting as a bridging protein between Aβ, via its C-terminal domain, and LRP, via its N-terminal domain.¹⁷⁶ A study in senile plaques showed that the N-terminal/C-terminal domain interaction is stronger in ApoE4 than in ApoE3. ApoE4, therefore, has a shorter inter-terminal domain distance, but a relatively longer and more exposed hinge, which is more susceptible to proteolysis. Increased hinge proteolysis in ApoE4 leads to more disassociated Aβ-bound C-terminal fragments. These events contribute to the loss of Aβ clearance function in brains with ApoE4, enhancing amyloid deposition,¹⁶⁹ given also that intracellular clearance of Aβ peptides is correlated with the APOE ε4 genotype.¹⁷²

ApoE fragmentation presents as a potential AD-related pathological process (Figure 2). C-terminal truncated forms of ApoE induce intracellular NFT-like inclusions in neurons.^70,157,177 ApoE fragments associate with or induce the formation of hyperphosphorylated tau and NFTs in an isoform-dependent manner. The lipidated form can also induce NFT formation, both in vitro and in vivo, in murine neocortex and hippocampus^70,157 and interacts with NFTs via its aa residues 245-260⁷⁰ – these effects occur only in neurons. Cytosolic expression of ApoE4 (272–299) induces NFT-like inclusions in mouse primary-cultured cortical neurons and in human NT2 cells but not in various non-neuronal cells.⁷⁰ Pathologic human tau accumulates in neurons due to an imbalance between the activities of tau protein kinases and phosphatases. Full-length ApoE decreases phosphorylation of tau kinases and inhibits tau phosphorylation at Thr¹⁷¹ and Ser²⁰²/Thr²⁰⁵ epitopes.

The ApoE receptor-binding N-terminal domain peptides

The potential neurodegenerative effects of ApoE N-terminal fragments are summarized in Table 1. In the BV2 mouse microglial cell line, the 17 kDa fragment has been reported to promote cell death.¹⁷⁸ It has been reported that intracellular Aβ_1-42 accumulation is stimulated by the 19 kDa fragment, which produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cell line.^74,179 In this cell line and SW-1783 human astrocytoma cells, the 21 kDa fragment has been also reported to promote MMP9/TIMP1 imbalance, by stimulating IL-1β and reducing IL-10 levels.¹⁸⁰ The 22 kDa thrombin cleavage ApoE4 fragment is also neurotoxic in vitro,^103,181 but only at high concentrations – this has not yet been confirmed in vivo. The 22 kDa fragment exhibits receptor-mediated neurotoxicity^103,158 and increases intracellular calcium in embryonic chick sympathetic sympathetic ganglia and embryonic rat hippocampal tissue.¹⁸¹ The 25 kDa fragments 1–195 have been reported to promote neuritogenesis in SK-N-SH/SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells,¹⁵⁹ whereas the 1–272 fragments may induce neurotoxic mitochondrial dysfunction in Neuro-2a mouse neuroblastoma cells.¹⁸²

Table 1.

Effect of apolipoprotein E (ApoE) N-terminal peptides in cell and animal models related to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and differences in ApoE isoforms.

Organism	Tissue	Fragment	Effect	Model	Note	Reference
Mouse	Neuro-2a neuroblastoma cells	ApoE4 (1-271)¹ (N-terminal)	In neuronal cells promotes NFT-like inclusion formation	In vitro	ApoE4 showed more inclusions than ApoE3	Huang et al.⁷⁰
Mouse	C57BL/6 J Neuro-2a neuroblastoma cells overexpressing APOE 272-299	ApoE4 (1-271)¹ (N-terminal)	Promotes AD-like tau pathology and behavioral disorders	In vivo	Studies conducted only on ApoE4	Harris et al.¹⁵⁷
Mouse	J20 line of hAPP_FAD and overexpressing APOE 272-299	ApoE4 (1-271)¹ (N-terminal)	Decreases Aβ clearance and increases Aβ deposition	In vivo/In vitro	Full-length ApoE3 and ApoE4 expressing mice were able to stimulate Aβ clearance	Bien-Ly et al.¹⁰⁸
Human	Primary neurons	22 kDa N-terminal	Cytotoxicity	In vitro	Higher effect in ApoE4 than ApoE3 background	Marques et al.¹⁵⁸
Chick	Embryonic sympathetic ganglia	22 kDa N-terminal	The neurotoxic function receptor- induced	In vitro	ApoE4 fragment was more toxic than ApoE3	Tolar et al.⁷²
Rat	Embryonic hippocampal tissue	22 kDa N-terminal	Determines increased intracellular calcium levels and neurotoxicity	In vitro	Studies conducted only on ApoE4	Tolar et al.¹⁸¹
Mouse	BV2-microglia cells	1-151² (17 kDa N-terminal)	Induces increased cell death and trafficking to the nucleus	In vitro	Effects not seen in ApoE3	Love et al.¹⁷⁸
Human	SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma	1-165³ (19 kDa N-terminal) 1-185³ (21 kDa N-terminal)	ApoE 1-165 promotes Aβ_1-42 intracellular accumulation which induces ROS formation, whereas ApoE 1-185 do not	In vitro	Effects not seen in ApoE3 and ApoE2	Dafnis et al.⁵⁴ Dafnis et al.¹⁷⁹
Human	SK-N-SH neuroblastoma and SW-1783 astrocytoma cells	1-185³ (21 kDa N-terminal)	Induces interleukin-1β and reduces interleukin-10 expression through MMP9/TIMP1 imbalance	In vitro	Only ApoE4 studied	Dafnis et al.¹⁸⁰
Human	SK-N-SH/SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells	1-195³ (25 kDa N-terminal)	Promotes neuritogenesis	In vitro	Only ApoE3 studied	Muñoz et al.¹⁵⁹
Mouse	Neuro-2a neuroblastoma cells	1-272² (N-terminal)	Exhibits neurotoxicity via mitochondrial dysfunction	In vitro	Only ApoE4 studied	Chang et al.¹⁸²

¹Gene ID: 11816.

²Gene ID: 25728.

³Gene ID: 348.

Aβ, amyloid β; MMP9, matrix metalloproteinase 9; NFT, neurofibrillary tangle; ROS, reactive oxygen species; TIMP1, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1.

The 22 kDa fragments originated by thrombin cleavage lack the aa 244-272 lipid-binding site and are different from ApoE fragments generated in AD brains.⁷⁰ In contrast, this site seems to be essential for fragment-induced neurotoxic effects in vivo all ApoE fragments contain it,⁷⁰ and it is implicated in the interplay between ApoE and Aβ peptides.^47,183

The ApoE central domain peptides

The potential effects of the ApoE central fragments in neurodegeneration are summarized in Table 2. In BV2-microglia cells, release of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and nitric oxide (iNOS) is induced by the 133-149 aa peptide by suppression of microglial activation.¹⁸⁴ This peptide also reduces inflammation response after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection in C57BL/6 J blastocysts,¹⁸⁵ suppressing the apoptosis and intracellular calcium increase caused by N-methyl-d-aspartate in primary neuronal-glia cells.¹⁸⁶ In hippocampal slices, this peptide, together with the C-terminal portion of the 141-148 aa peptide, inhibited acetylcholine-induced responses.¹⁸⁷ In Xenopus laevis oocytes, these peptides block the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), disrupting nAChR signaling.^188,189 The Arg-rich domain of the C-terminal ApoE 141-148 aa peptide favors the interaction with nAChR and may inhibit α7 nAChRs-mediated responses,¹⁸⁷ as does APOE 133-149 aa.¹⁸⁹ In contrast to ApoE 133-149 and ApoE 141-148, the ApoE 141-149 and ApoE 141-155 residues are associated with deleterious effects such as neurite degeneration⁶⁹ and cytotoxicity,⁷¹ respectively. The 141-149 peptide was able to inhibit cell proliferation and showed cytotoxic effects in IL2-dependent T lymphocyte cells,⁷¹ whereas the 141-155 aa peptide may induce neurite degeneration in embryonic chick sympathetic neurons.⁶⁹

Table 2.

Effect of apolipoprotein E (ApoE) peptides from central protein domain in cell and animal models related to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and differences in ApoE isoforms.

Organism	Tissue	Fragment	Effect	Model	Note	Reference
Chicken	Embryonic sympathetic ganglia	141-155¹	Neurite degeneration	In vitro	N/A	Crutcher et al.⁶⁹
Human	Interleukin-2-dependent T lymphocytes	141-149²	Cytotoxicity	In vitro	N/A	Clay et al.⁷¹
Mouse	BV2-microglia cells	133-149³	Inhibits the release of TNFα and NO through suppresses microglial activation	In vitro	N/A	Laskowitz et al.¹⁸⁴
Mouse	Primary neuronal-glia cells	133-149³	Suppresses neuronal cell death and calcium influx induced by NMDA	In vitro	N/A	Aono et al.¹⁸⁶
Mouse	C57BL/6 J blastocysts	133-149³	Following LPS administration suppresses inflammatory response	In vivo	N/A	Lynch et al.¹⁸⁵
Rat	Hippocampal slices	133-149³/141-148⁴	Acetylcholine-evoked responses in a dose-dependent manner are inhibited	Ex vivo	N/A	Klein and Yakel¹⁸⁷
Frog	Oocytes	133-149³/141-148⁴	Block α7 nAChRs disrupting nAChR signaling	Ex vivo	N/A	Gay et al.¹⁸⁸ Gay et al.¹⁸⁹

Gene ID: -

Gene ID: 348.

Gene ID: 25728.

Gene ID: 394678.

LPS, lipopolysaccharide; nAChR, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor; NMDA, N-methyl-d-aspartate; NO, nitric oxide; TNFα, tumor necrosis factor α.

The ApoE lipid-binding C-terminal domain peptides

The potential neurodegenerative effects of ApoE peptides originating from the C-terminal protein domain are summarized in Table 3. The C-terminal truncated ApoE fragment neither affects APP expression nor APP processing, but induces formation of NFTs. The C-terminal-derived fragment can stabilize Aβ to form pathogenic Aβ oligomers, but not Aβ fibrils. Furthermore, C-terminal fragments induce oxidative stress and inflammation, stimulating neuronal secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and MMP-9. Increased MMP-9 leads to BACE-1 activation and/or apoptosis, and IL-1β promotes NFT formation by interacting with neurons via the LRP receptor. In addition to aberrant activation or repression of tau kinases and phosphatases, the third α-helix of the C-terminal fragment is involved in abnormal tau phosphorylation and formation of NFT-like inclusions. Inclusions similar to NFTs containing the 272-299 aa fragment (also designated as 1-271 aa fragment)⁷⁰ are found in neuronal cells, and may cause AD-like tau pathology and behavioral disturbances in Neuro 2-a mouse neuroblastoma cells of transgenic mice C57BL/6 J overexpressing this peptide.¹⁵⁷ In Neuro-2a cells, removal of the first 20 aa, up to the first α-helix, of ApoE4 (272-299) does not modify its ability to induce intracellular NFT-like inclusions. Only a further truncation of its third α-helix decreases the induction of NFT-like inclusions by ∼50%.⁷⁰

Table 3.

Effect of apolipoprotein E (ApoE) C-terminal peptides in cell and animal models related to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and differences in ApoE isoforms.

Organism	Tissue	Fragment	Effect	Model	Note	Reference
Mouse	Neuro-2a neuroblastoma cells	182-299¹ (13 kDa C-terminal)	Inhibits Aβ fibril formation and favors formation and stabilization of Aβ hexameric species	In vitro	ApoE4 generates more 13 kDa fragment than ApoE2 or ApoE3	Wellnitz et al.¹⁹⁰
Human	Samples of frontal cortex	224-299² (C-terminal)	Greater accumulation of ApoE C-terminal fragment in the insoluble fraction of tissue homogenate in the severe AD group versus the control group	In vitro	ApoE4 could be a source of the C-terminal fragment accumulation	Wang and Turko¹⁷⁷

Gene ID: 11816.

Gene ID: 348.

Aβ, amyloid β.

In transgenic mice hAPPFA, overexpressing 272-299 aa peptide, there was lower Aβ clearance.¹⁰⁸ In Neuro-2a mouse neuroblastoma cells, production and stabilization of hexameric Aβ species may be induced by an ApoE C-terminal 13 kDa fragment that may also inhibit Aβ fibril formation.¹⁹⁰ ApoE fragments escape the secretory and endocytic–lysosome internalization pathways to induce the formation of NFTs and/or to associate with them. In Neuro-2a cells, the neurotoxic ApoE4 fragment is not found in either the Golgi apparatus or endoplasmic reticulum. In contrast, the fragment either interacts with the mitochondria or cytoskeletal elements to form filamentous inclusions containing phosphorylated tau and phosphorylated neurofilament proteins.¹⁸² The mechanisms underlying this ability to evade the recycling pathway remain unknown.

It has been proposed that the LDL receptor–binding domain directs the C-terminal domain in initiating rapid lipid binding, followed by a slower N-terminal domain helix bundle opening, to yield discoidal reconstituted HDL. It appears that the bulky N-terminal domain determines the spatial organization of its C-terminal domain in reconstituted HDL, a finding that has significance for ApoE4, which is more susceptible to proteolytic cleavage in AD brains.¹⁹¹

The ApoE mimetic peptides

In nature, potentially therapeutic peptides are present as 100 aa short-chain monomers. Such peptides may bind certain membrane receptors and activate specific signaling pathways.¹⁹² Historically, the use of peptides as therapeutic agents has been ignored due to several limitations including dimension, degradation susceptibility, absence of effective delivery methods, fast excretion, poor distribution, low oral bioavailability, reduced cell permeability, and target specificity.¹⁹³ In 1953, oxytocin was the first therapeutic peptide synthesized. In 1982, recombinant human insulin was the first such peptide produced through recombinant fermentation.¹⁹⁴ Transformation of peptides into mimetic peptides is one intriguing strategy for using them as therapeutic agents. Mimetic peptides exert effects similar to those of the original molecule, but promise several advantages: increased structural consistency, good cell membrane permeability, and increased stability to proteolytic digestion and target specificity. Peptides have been chemically modified to induce non-natural aa changes, amide bond variations, scaffold rigidity, or hydrophobic residue inclusion.^192,193,195

Mimetic peptide studies have been inspired by lipid-binding domains shared from apolipoproteins with a common structure to these mimetic peptides.^196,197 Lipoprotein binding activity and clearance have been tested for peptides spanning the ApoE 130-169 region.^71,198 Amphipathic α-helices within the C-terminal region are essential to its efflux capacity.¹⁹⁹ The ApoE mimetic peptide (ATI-5361) has been developed on the basis of a 26 aa peptide including residues 238-266.^200,201 A peptide composed of a dimer of residues 141-155 with an N-terminal tyrosine residue, designated Y (141-155)2, binds to the LDL receptor. This latter peptide, upon acetylation of its N-terminus, binds to all lipoproteins.²⁰² In ApoE-/- mice, VLDL and intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL) clearance is promoted by injection of the acetylated peptide, whereas non-acetylated peptide exerted no such effects.

The ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) belongs to a large family of such transporters. It is localized on the plasma membrane of several cells where it mediates reverse cholesterol transport and (in particular) cholesterol and phospholipids efflux to extracellular apolipoprotein acceptors, such as ApoA-I, ApoE and small, lipid-poor HDL particles.^199,203 This cholesterol efflux function is vital to the prevention of degenerative diseases, since intracellular cholesterol accumulation may have cytotoxic and inflammatory effects, and may induce structural and functional alteration in the plasma membrane.^204,205 ABCA1 lipid efflux activity optimization may also be important in protecting against AD.^206,207 ApoE lipidation and Aβ clearance could be facilitated by ABCA1 in brain cells^208,209 and may protect against cognitive decline, particularly in the presence of ApoE4 phenotype.²⁰⁹ This observation suggests that therapeutic strategies aimed at targeting ABCA1 with a small peptide might be beneficial to AD patients carrying the APOE ε4 allele. It would be also interesting to study the impact of specific ApoE isoforms in any improvement in glucose utilization and mitochondrial function in the aging brain, and in AD.²¹⁰ LPS-induced inflammatory reactions may be modified by polymorphic human APOE alleles, and ApoE mimetic peptides may suppress such responses. Following LPS administration, there is an innate immune response in human subjects with APOE heterozygosity ε3/ε4 compared with homozygosity ε3/ε3.²¹¹ ApoE mimetics such as AchE18A-NH2 may therefore restore or replace ligands in genetically induced hyperlipidemias to enable reduction in atherogenic lipoproteins by heparan sulfate proteoglycan, even in the absence of functional LDL receptors. Therefore, this and similar peptides may be useful in the treatment of dyslipidemias such as familial hyperlipidemia and AD-associated atherosclerosis.⁸² In conclusion, the potential role of mimetic peptides in AD seems to deserve further clinical studies.

Anti-ApoE therapeutics in AD

The complete absence of ApoE caused by a rare ablative APOE frameshift mutation may cause abnormal lipoprotein metabolism but normal visual, cognitive, neurological, and retinal function, with normal CSF fluid Aβ and tau protein levels and normal findings on brain magnetic resonance imaging.²¹² This observation has encouraged different approaches to interfere with the pathological role of ApoE in AD.²¹³ We now briefly describe the main approaches being pursued, some of which have reached the clinic.

ApoE2 overexpression

Gene therapy methods may be a strategy to overexpress ApoE2 in APOε4/ε4 carriers through vector administration or liposomal delivery systems. An initial study has shown that single intracerebroventricular injection of an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector expressing ApoE4 in a mouse model of AD increased brain Aβ deposition and worsened Aβ-mediated synaptotoxicity, whereas increased expression of ApoE2 reduced brain Aβ levels, attenuating peri-plaque synapse loss and neurite dystrophy.²¹⁴ These findings were confirmed by a further study in which intracerebral AAV-mediated delivery of ApoE2 markedly reduced Aβ deposition in AD mouse models.²¹⁵ Intracisternal administration in nonhuman primates of AAVrh.10hAPOE2-HA, an AAVrh.10 serotype coding for an HA-tagged human APOE2 cDNA sequence, safely mediated wide distribution of ApoE2 in AD relevant regions.²¹⁶ An open-label, phase I study (NCT03634007) in 15 AD APOE ε4 homozygotic subjects with evidence of brain amyloid accumulation is presently assessing the safety and tolerability of intracisternal AAVrh.10hAPOE2. The study will assess whether gene therapy can convert CSF ApoE isoform status in APOE ε4 homozygotes from ApoE4 to ApoE2-ApoE4. Recently, a brain-targeted delivery of ApoE2-encoding plasmid DNA (pApoE2) and using glucose transporter-1 (glut-1)-targeted liposomes has also recently suggested.²¹⁷ After single tail vein administration of dual-functionalized liposomes, there was a higher transfection of pApoE2 in the C57BL/6 mice brain without signs of toxicity.²¹⁷ Using transferrin- and penetratin-modified liposomes, a successful brain delivery of plasmid-encoding ApoE2 was also demonstrated after single intravenous injection in mice.²¹⁸

Downregulation of expression of ApoE4

In APP/PS1 transgenic mice homozygous for the APOE ε4 or APOE ε3 allele, intracerebroventricular antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) reduced ApoE expression and significantly decreased Aβ pathology when given prior to plaque deposition.²¹⁹ In the P301 S/ApoE4 mouse model of tauopathy, intracerebroventricular injection of ApoE ASOs reduced ApoE4 protein levels by ~50%, significantly protecting against tau pathology and associated neurodegeneration, decreasing neuroinflammation, and preserving synaptic density.²²⁰

Anti-ApoE immunotherapy

The use of passive immunization targeting certain ApoE isoforms may be an alternative therapeutic strategy. The anti-ApoE4 monoclonal antibody 9D11 bound specifically to brain ApoE4 and not ApoE3.²²¹ For this monoclonal antibody, a direct intracerebroventricular application prevented ApoE4-driven accumulation of Aβ in hippocampal neurons, while repeated intraperitoneal injections of 9D11 in ApoE4 mice resulted in the formation of ApoE/IgG complexes, associated with reversal of cognitive impairments and ApoE4-driven pathologies, including hyperphosphorylated tau.²²¹ In APP/PS1 mice, the monoclonal antibody HJ6.3 delivered peripherally to either before or after plaque deposition reduced Aβ levels and fibrillary amyloid pathology, increased microglial activation, and improved spatial-memory performance.²²² Moreover, intraperitoneal HJ6.3 (10 mg/kg/week for 21 weeks) affected Aβ plaques, neuronal network function, and behavior in 7-month-old APP/PS1 mice after plaque onset.²²³ In mice producing human ApoE3 and ApoE, central or peripheral administration of 4HAE-4, a monoclonal antibody that targets aggregated ApoE3 and ApoE4, reduced fibrillary amyloid plaque load without reducing cerebral or plasma ApoE levels.²²⁴ Furthermore, this monoclonal antibody increased peri-plaque Aβ phagocytosis,²²⁴ reduced cerebral amyloid angiopathy and amyloid plaque load, and improved cerebrovascular function.²²⁵

ApoE mimetics

As previously discussed, in mouse models of amyloid pathology, treatment with peptides that mimic the structural and biological properties of native ApoE reduces Aβ deposition,^226,227 tau hyperphosphorylation,²²⁸ and glial activation.^226–228 In male transgenic APP/PS1/APOETR mice, treatment with the ApoE mimetic CN-105 for 40 days beginning at 14–18 weeks old reduced Aβ pathology and rescued memory deficits.²²⁹ Notably, delaying treatment onset to 25–28 weeks produced a less robust effect. At present, in 201 subjects with perioperative neurocognitive disorders, CN-105 is being tested in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study (NCT03802396).²³⁰

ApoE4 structure correctors

The pathological conformation of ApoE4 may result from an interaction between its amino-terminal and carboxy-terminal domains,^231,232 and several small organic molecules designed to block this interaction have been tested in vitro.^233,234 The ApoE4 structure corrector PH002 was shown to decrease ApoE4 fragmentation, reducing the effects of ApoE4 on Aβ production, tau phosphorylation, and GABAergic neuron degeneration in human iPSC-derived neurons.²³⁵

Conversion of the ApoE4 amino acid sequence into that of ApoE3 or ApoE2

As the three ApoE isoforms only differ structurally by two aa residues, conversion of the ApoE4 sequence into that of ApoE3 or ApoE2 has been considered a logical approach to attenuating its neurotoxic effects. Indeed, conversion of APOE ε4 to APOE ε3 by gene editing significantly altered cellular phenotypes.^235,236 As mentioned previously, reductions in ApoE fragmentation, Aβ production, tau phosphorylation, and GABAergic neuron degeneration were observed in iPSC-derived neurons when APOE ε4 was converted to APOE ε3, suggesting that the detrimental effects of ApoE4 could be abolished by gene editing.²³⁵ Similarly, converting APOE ε4 to APOE ε3 attenuates several AD-related phenotypes in glial cells and organoids. This intervention enhances glial cell endocytosis of extracellular Aβ and significantly reduces Aβ deposition in organoids after 6 months of culture.²³⁶ Despite these promising in vitro findings, the in vivo feasibility and clinical translatability of this therapeutic concept appear challenging.²³⁷

Inhibition of the ApoE-Aβ interaction

The synthetic peptide Aβ_12-28P, which is homologous to the ApoE-binding site on the full-length Aβ molecule, inhibiting the ApoE-Aβ interaction reduced Aβ deposition^25,238,239 and insoluble tau accumulation²⁵ in AD mouse models, and intraneuronal Aβ accumulation²⁴⁰ in in vitro primary hippocampal neurons. Moreover, in amyloid mouse models, treatment with Aβ_12-28P decreased brain Aβ accumulation, co-deposition of ApoE within Aβ plaques, and neuritic degeneration, with APOE ε2-targeted replacement and APOE ε4-targeted replacement backgrounds.²⁴¹

Challenges of ApoE targeting therapeutic approaches

Given the poor clinical results obtained so far in AD with both anti-Aβ and anti-tau drugs,²⁴² anti-ApoE therapeutics represent a promising alternative approach. The most promising ApoE modulation approaches appear to be increasing ApoE2 expression or increasing ApoE4 clearance by immunotherapy. However, it is not clear whether chronic treatment with anti-ApoE drugs will be limited by the physiological role of this important glycoprotein in cytoskeletal assembly and stability, mitochondrial integrity and function, and dendritic morphology and function.²¹³ Indeed, clinical failures of unselective anti-Aβ and anti-tau therapies could be explained by their clearing effects of physiological forms of Aβ and tau protein.²⁴³ Ideally, anti-ApoE therapeutics should attack the pathological forms of ApoE without interfering with its physiological functions.

Conclusion

Repeated studies on ApoE and APOE polymorphism have demonstrated their involvement in lipid transport and neurodegeneration.²⁴⁴ However, such fields of investigation are still quite independent, as ApoE effects in neurodegenerative diseases such as AD cannot be easily explained by ApoE function in lipid metabolism. Meanwhile, the contribution of ApoE fragments is under discussion in various areas of AD pathogenesis and pathophysiology, including neuron interactions, APP processing, tau hyperphosphorylation, oxidative stress, and inflammation.

Recently, a catabolic pathway has been discovered, in which ApoE undergoes a proteolytic process to produce active peptides with neurotoxic or neuroprotective effects. This finding sheds new light on the possible role of ApoE and its peptides, particularly in AD. The influence that ApoE peptides may have in AD pathogenesis is currently under investigation, while their roles in the transport and metabolism of cholesterol and phospholipids are largely unknown. This may be due to ApoE catabolism being restricted to the CNS, as only astrocytes express the enzymes producing ApoE fragmentation.¹⁵⁹

Given the different roles of ApoE isoforms in AD, the relationship between these and ApoE cutting enzymes is also of interest. Production of ApoE peptides depends on the isoform, as distinct effects of ApoE fragments on CNS cells have been suggested. Several studies have investigated the impact of ApoE4-derived peptides, which may promote neurotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, phosphorylation of tau protein, NFT-like inclusions, neurodegeneration, neuronal apoptosis or suppress microglial activation.²⁴⁵ Mitochondrial dysfunction in AD also varies with APOE genotype, being greater in APOE ε4 than in APOE ε3 carriers. It is tempting to speculate that the impairment of mitochondrial function elicited by the expression of truncated ApoE4 in Neuro-2a cells correlates with the mitochondrial dysfunction observed in AD patients. Consequently, blocking the interaction of ApoE fragments with mitochondria is another potential strategy for inhibiting the detrimental effects of ApoE in AD.¹⁸²

Understanding the differences between ApoE isoforms in different cell types will undoubtedly involve use of induced pluripotent stem cells that express physiological levels of endogenous genes, rather than relying on overexpression models.¹⁵⁹ Recent studies have shown the role of ApoE4 in AD neuropathology in vitro.²⁴⁶ Furthermore, the roles of 12 and 20 kDa ApoE fragments in an ApoE4 background²³⁵ need to be clarified. Although other studies are currently attempting to investigate ApoE fragment levels in an ApoE2 background,⁶⁰ little is known about ApoE2 fragmentation. In conclusion, the use of different cell lines with ApoE2, ApoE3r, or ApoE4 backgrounds might explain not only the specific impact of endogenous levels of ApoE fragments from each genotype, but also the involvement of these fragments in lipid metabolism, healthy aging, longevity, neurodegeneration, and AD pathogenesis.

Footnotes

Author contributions

Filomena Lo Vecchio: Conceptualization; Data curation; Formal analysis; Investigation; Methodology; Validation; Visualization; Writing – original draft.

Paola Bisceglia: Data curation; Formal analysis; Investigation; Methodology; Software; Writing – review & editing.

Bruno Pietro Imbimbo: Investigation; Supervision; Validation; Visualization; Writing – original draft; Writing – review & editing.

Madia Lozupone: Methodology; Software; Supervision; Validation; Visualization; Writing – original draft; Writing – review & editing.

Raffaela Rita Latino: Methodology; Software; Supervision; Validation; Visualization; Writing – review & editing.

Emanuela Resta: Software; Validation; Visualization; Writing – review & editing.

Maurizio Leone: Resources; Supervision; Validation; Visualization; Writing – review & editing.

Vincenzo Solfrizzi: Data curation; Methodology; Software; Supervision; Validation; Visualization; Writing – review & editing.

Antonio Greco: Data curation; Funding acquisition; Methodology; Project administration; Resources; Supervision; Validation; Visualization; Writing – review & editing.

Antonio Daniele: Methodology; Supervision; Validation; Visualization; Writing – review & editing.

Mark Watling: Software; Supervision; Validation; Visualization; Writing – review & editing.

Francesco Panza: Conceptualization; Data curation; Investigation; Methodology; Project administration; Resources; Software; Supervision; Validation; Visualization; Writing – original draft; Writing – review & editing.

Davide Seripa: Conceptualization; Data curation; Formal analysis; Funding acquisition; Investigation; Methodology; Supervision; Validation; Visualization; Writing – original draft; Writing – review & editing.

Funding

The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This work was fully supported by ‘Ministero della Salute’, I.R.C.C.S. Research Program, Ricerca Corrente 2018–2020, Linea n. 2 ‘Meccanismi genetici, predizione e terapie innovative delle malattie complesse’ and by the ‘5 x 1000’ voluntary contribution to the Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Ospedale ‘Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza’.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

ORCID iD

Francesco Panza

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