Soluble amyloid-β, effect on cerebral arteriolar regulation and vascular cells

BACKGROUND: Evidence indicates that soluble forms of amyloid-beta (Abeta) are vasoactive, which may contribute to cerebrovascular dysfunction noted in patients with Alzheimer's Disease and cerebral amyloid angiopathy. The effects of soluble Abeta on penetrating cerebral arterioles - the vessels most responsible for controlling cerebrovascular resistance - have not been studied. RESULTS: Freshly dissolved Abeta1-40 and Abeta1-42, but not the reverse peptide Abeta40-1 constricted isolated rat penetrating arterioles and diminished dilation to adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP). Abeta1-42 also enhanced ATP-induced vessel constriction. Abeta1-40 diminished arteriolar myogenic response, and an anti-Abeta antibody reduced Abeta1-40 induced arteriolar constriction. Prolonged Abeta exposure in vessels of Tg2576 mice resulted in a marked age-dependent effect on ATP-induced vascular responses. Vessels from 6 month old Tg2576 mice had reduced vascular responses whereas these were absent from 12 month old animals. Abeta1-40 and Abeta1-42 acutely increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cultured rat cerebro-microvascular cells. The radical scavenger MnTBAP attenuated this Abeta-induced oxidative stress and Abeta1-40-induced constriction in rat arterioles. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that soluble Abeta1-40 and Abeta1-42 directly affect the vasomotor regulation of isolated rodent penetrating arterioles, and that ROS partially mediate these effects. Once insoluble Abeta deposits are present, arteriolar reactivity is greatly diminished.