Abstract

Background:
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the buildup and aggregation of misfolded proteins in the brain, including amyloid-β (Aβ) and hyperphosphorylated tau. The hyperphosphorylation state of Tau protein plays an important role in the development of AD. Our previous studies developed and characterized the cynomolgus monkey as a spontaneous animal model of AD.

Aim:
We demonstrated the validity of the model through experimental investigations of the relationships between cognitive decline and the neuro-pathy of AD. There is, however, little information about the expression actvity of hyperphosphorylated tau related genes in various brain areas in the in cynomolgus monkey spontaneous AD model.

Methods:
In the present study, total RNA was extracted from archived cortex and hippocampus tissues from the brains of two groups of cynomolgus monkeys, adult (10-12 years old, n=5) and aged (> 20 years old, n=4). The expression of the tau-protein-associated genes GSK3β, CAPN1, and CDK5R1 was evaluated using RT-qPCR technique

Results:
The expression of all three genes was increased up to five fold in the brain cortical area of the aged subjects compared to the adults

Conclusion:
The results add weight to the utility of cynomolgus macaques as a valid spontaneous model in translational preclinical research involving studies of the effect of aging on the formation of hyperphosphorylated tau protein, which causes AD-related lesions in the brain.

Key words: Cynomolgus monkey, Hyperphosphorylated tau, Gene expression, Aging, Alzheimer