Amyloid beta protein deposition in osteopetrotic (op/op) mice is reduced by injections of macrophage colony stimulating factor
Kawata, T.; Tsutsui, K.; Kohno, S.; Kaku, M.; Fujita, T.; Tenjou, K.; Ohtani, J.; Motokawa, M.; Shigekawa, M.; Tohma, Y.; Tanne, K.
Journal of International Medical Research 33(6): 654-660
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-0605 PMID: 16372583 Document Number: 585048
The deposition of amyloid beta (A beta) protein is a neuropathological change that characterizes Alzheimer's disease. Animals with the osteopetrosis (op/op) mutation suffer from a general skeletal sclerosis, a significantly reduced number of macrophages and osteoclasts in various tissues, and have no systemic macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF). This study examined the effect that M-CSF injections had on A beta deposition and microglial cell distribution in the brains of normal and op/op mice. Ap-positive plaques were detected in the cerebral cortex of op/op mice, but not in normal mice. M-CSF reduced the numbers of A beta-positive plaques in op/op mice. The microglial cell population was reduced in op/op mice compared with normal mice, and M-CSF increased the numbers to 65.8% of that observed in normal mice. Our results suggest that a clearer understanding of the role that microglial cells play in A beta deposition may help determine the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.