[PDF][PDF] LC3-associated endocytosis facilitates β-amyloid clearance and mitigates neurodegeneration in murine Alzheimer's disease

BL Heckmann, BJW Teubner, B Tummers… - Cell, 2019 - cell.com
BL Heckmann, BJW Teubner, B Tummers, E Boada-Romero, L Harris, M Yang, CS Guy…
Cell, 2019cell.com
The expression of some proteins in the autophagy pathway declines with age, which may
impact neurodegeneration in diseases, including Alzheimer's Disease. We have identified a
novel non-canonical function of several autophagy proteins in the conjugation of LC3 to
Rab5+, clathrin+ endosomes containing β-amyloid in a process of LC3-associated
endocytosis (LANDO). We found that LANDO in microglia is a critical regulator of immune-
mediated aggregate removal and microglial activation in a murine model of AD. Mice lacking …
Summary
The expression of some proteins in the autophagy pathway declines with age, which may impact neurodegeneration in diseases, including Alzheimer's Disease. We have identified a novel non-canonical function of several autophagy proteins in the conjugation of LC3 to Rab5+, clathrin+ endosomes containing β-amyloid in a process of LC3-associated endocytosis (LANDO). We found that LANDO in microglia is a critical regulator of immune-mediated aggregate removal and microglial activation in a murine model of AD. Mice lacking LANDO but not canonical autophagy in the myeloid compartment or specifically in microglia have a robust increase in pro-inflammatory cytokine production in the hippocampus and increased levels of neurotoxic β-amyloid. This inflammation and β-amyloid deposition were associated with reactive microgliosis and tau hyperphosphorylation. LANDO-deficient AD mice displayed accelerated neurodegeneration, impaired neuronal signaling, and memory deficits. Our data support a protective role for LANDO in microglia in neurodegenerative pathologies resulting from β-amyloid deposition.
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