Multifunctional liposomes reduce brain β-amyloid burden and ameliorate memory impairment in Alzheimer’s disease mouse models


BIBLIOGRAPHIC THERAPEUTIC AGENT ANIMAL MODEL EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN OUTCOMES

Bibliographic

Year of Publication:
2014
Contact PI Name:
Massimo Masserini
Contact PI Affiliation:
Department of Health Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
Co-Authors:
C. Balducci, S. Mancini, S. Minniti, P. La Vitola, M. Zotti, G. Sancini, M. Mauri, A. Cagnotto, L. Colombo, F. Fiordaliso, E. Grigoli, M. Salmona, A. Snellman, M. Haaparanta-Solin, G. Foloni, F. Re
Primary Reference (PubMED ID):
Funding Source:
European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme for the Innovative Medicine Initiative
Study Goal and Principal Findings:

Alzheimer's disease is characterized by the accumulation and deposition of plaques of β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide in the brain. Given its pivotal role, new therapies targeting Aβ are in demand. We rationally designed liposomes targeting the brain and promoting the disaggregation of Aβ assemblies and evaluated their efficiency in reducing the Aβ burden in Alzheimer's disease mouse models. Liposomes were bifunctionalized with a peptide derived from the apolipoprotein-E receptor-binding domain for blood-brain barrier targeting and with phosphatidic acid for Aβ binding. Bifunctionalized liposomes display the unique ability to hinder the formation of, and disaggregate, Aβ assemblies in vitro (EM experiments). Administration of bifunctionalized liposomes to APP/presenilin 1 transgenic mice (aged 10 months) for 3 weeks (three injections per week) decreased total brain-insoluble Aβ1-42 (-33%), assessed by ELISA, and the number and total area of plaques (-34%) detected histologically. Also, brain Aβ oligomers were reduced (-70.5%), as assessed by SDS-PAGE. Plaque reduction was confirmed in APP23 transgenic mice (aged 15 months) either histologically or by PET imaging with [(11)C]Pittsburgh compound B (PIB). The reduction of brain Aβ was associated with its increase in liver (+18%) and spleen (+20%). Notably, the novel-object recognition test showed that the treatment ameliorated mouse impaired memory. Finally, liposomes reached the brain in an intact form, as determined by confocal microscopy experiments with fluorescently labeled liposomes. These data suggest that bifunctionalized liposomes destabilize brain Aβ aggregates and promote peptide removal across the blood-brain barrier and its peripheral clearance. This all-in-one multitask therapeutic device can be considered as a candidate for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Therapeutic Agent

Therapeutic Information:
Therapy Type:
Biologic - Nanoparticle
Therapeutic Agent:
mApoE-PA-LIP
Therapeutic Target:
beta Amyloid Peptide

Animal Model

Model Information:
Species:
Mouse
Model Type:
APPxPS1
Strain/Genetic Background:
B6C3
Species:
Mouse
Model Type:
APP
Strain/Genetic Background:
Not Reported
Species:
Mouse
Model Type:
Non-transgenic
Strain/Genetic Background:
C57/6N
Species:
Mouse
Model Type:
Non-transgenic
Strain/Genetic Background:
BALB/c

Experimental Design

Is the following information reported in the study?:
Power/Sample Size Calculation
Randomized into Groups
Blinded for Treatment
Blinded for Outcome Measures
Pharmacokinetic Measures
Pharmacodynamic Measures
Toxicology Measures
ADME Measures
Biomarkers
Dose
Formulation
Route of Delivery
Duration of Treatment
Frequency of Administration
Age of Animal at the Beginning of Treatment
Age of Animal at the End of Treatment
Sex as a Biological Variable
Study Balanced for Sex as a Biological Variable
Number of Premature Deaths
Number of Excluded Animals
Statistical Plan
Genetic Background
Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria Included
Conflict of Interest

Outcomes

Outcome Measured
Outcome Parameters
Behavioral
Exploratory Activity
Novel Object Recognition Test (NORT)
Histopathology
beta Amyloid Deposits
beta Amyloid Load
Fibrillar beta Amyloid Deposits
Biochemical
Brain-beta Amyloid Oligomers
Brain-Formic Acid Insoluble beta Amyloid Peptide 40
Brain-Formic Acid Insoluble beta Amyloid Peptide 42
Brain-Formic Acid Soluble beta Amyloid Peptide 40
Brain-Formic Acid Soluble beta Amyloid Peptide 42
Liver-beta Amyloid Peptide 40
Liver-beta Amyloid Peptide 42
Plasma-beta Amyloid Peptide 40
Plasma-beta Amyloid Peptide 42
Spleen-beta Amyloid Peptide 40
Spleen-beta Amyloid Peptide 42
Immunochemistry
beta Amyloid Load
Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP)
Ionized Calcium Binding Adaptor Molecule 1 (Iba1)
mApoE-PA-LIP
Brain-beta Amyloid Peptides
Electron Microscopy
Aggregated beta Amyloid Peptide
Liposome Characterization
Imaging
[11C]PiB Autoradiography
Biomarker
Plasma-beta Amyloid Peptide 40
Plasma-beta Amyloid Peptide 42
Pharmacokinetics
Liposome Concentration-Brain
Liposome Concentration-Blood
Liposome Concentration-Organs
Pharmacodynamics
Target Engagement (Reduction beta Amyloid Oligomers)
Target Engagement (Reduction beta Amyloid Deposits)
Toxicology
Body Weight
Organ Weight
ADME
Biodistribution
Outcomes Notes:
Pharmacokinetic experiments were performed by intraperitoneal administration of dually radiolabeled ([14C]PA and [3H]Sm) PA–LIP or mApoE–PA–LIP in BALB/c mice to assess the radioactivity distribution in blood, liver, spleen, kidneys, lungs, and brain.

Source URL: http://alzped.nia.nih.gov/multifunctional-liposomes-0