Membrane Biophysics and Mechanics in Alzheimer's Disease

• Published in: Molecular neurobiology 2010-06, Vol.41 (2-3), p.138-148
• Main Authors: Yang, Xiaoguang, Askarova, Sholpan, Lee, James C-M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alzheimer Disease - metabolism; Alzheimer Disease - pathology; Alzheimer's disease; Amyloid beta-Peptides - metabolism; Amyloid beta-Peptides - toxicity; Astrocytes - cytology; Astrocytes - drug effects; Astrocytes - metabolism; Biomechanics; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Calcium - metabolism; Cell Biology; Cell Membrane - chemistry; Cell Membrane - drug effects; Cell Membrane - metabolism; Cellular biology; Cerebrovascular Circulation; Cholesterol - metabolism; Endothelial Cells - cytology; Endothelial Cells - drug effects; Endothelial Cells - metabolism; Membranes; Mitochondria - metabolism; Molecular biology; Neurobiology; Neurology; Neurons - cytology; Neurons - drug effects; Neurons - metabolism; Neurosciences; Oxidative Stress - physiology; Phospholipases A2 - metabolism
• ISSN: 0893-7648; 1559-1182
• DOI: 10.1007/s12035-010-8121-9

Alzheimer's disease is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder characterized by neuronal loss, cerebrovascular inflammation, and accumulation of senile plaques in the brain parenchyma and cerebral blood vessels. Amyloid-β peptide (Aβ), a major component of senile plaques, has been shown to exert multiple toxic effects to neurons, astrocytes, glial cells, and brain endothelium. Oligomeric Aβ can disturb the structure and function of cell membranes and alter membrane mechanical properties, such as membrane fluidity and molecular order. Much of these effects are attributed to their capability to trigger oxidative stress and inflammation. In this review, we discuss the effects of Aβ on neuronal cells, astrocytes, and cerebral endothelial cells with special emphasis on cell membrane properties and cell functions.