Apolipoprotein E and apolipoprotein D expression in a murine model of singlet oxygen-induced cerebral stroke

Apolipoprotein E (apoE)-deficient mice exhibit neuronal abnormalities simil ar to those in Alzheimer's disease and enhanced sensitivity to stroke-assoc iated injuries. Here, we show that apoE deficiency results in impaired micr oglia/macrophage recruitment and accumulation after cerebral infarct. Astro gliosis and apolipoprotein D (apoD) expression are unaffected, suggesting t hat the neurological abnormalities of apoE-deficient mice could be due to i mpaired microglia/macrophage recruitment! accumulation, which is important for the clearance of neurodegenerative products via reverse cholesterol tra nsport. To our knowledge, the results presented herein provide the first ex perimental evidence that brain microglia/macrophage recruitment/accumulatio n is affected by apoE deficiency. The insights gained from this study shoul d facilitate the elucidation of the role of apoE in neurological disorders such as dementia with stroke and Alzheimer's disease. (C) 2000 Academic Pre ss.