The Longevity Gene Apoe2 Enhances Pericyte Function And Reduces Lipid Droplets
Our brains are protected by a crucial shield called the blood-brain barrier, which controls what enters and leaves the brain. Tiny cells called pericytes are vital for maintaining this barrier and play a significant role in brain health, including conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists have been investigating how different versions of a gene called APOE affect these pericytes.
One particular version, APOE2, is known to be associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer’s and a longer lifespan. Recent research has shed light on how APOE2 provides this protection. The study found that pericytes with the APOE2 gene are more robust, better at resisting the effects of aging, and more efficient at processing fats compared to pericytes with other APOE versions (APOE3 and APOE4).
Specifically, APOE2 pericytes accumulate fewer “lipid droplets,” which are essentially tiny storage units for fats within cells. The research revealed that APOE2 boosts the activity of proteins responsible for breaking down and transporting these fats, leading to more efficient fat processing. What’s even more exciting is that when pericytes with the APOE3 and APOE4 versions were treated with APOE2 protein, their function improved, and the accumulation of lipid droplets decreased.
These findings, derived from studies using both specialized mice and human stem cell models, offer important insights into how APOE2 protects the brain. They suggest that therapies aimed at enhancing pericyte function and improving fat metabolism, particularly by mimicking the effects of APOE2, could be a promising strategy for individuals at risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
Source: link to paper