Open Access

Intestinal changes in permeability, tight junction and mucin synthesis in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

  • Authors:
    • Jing He
    • Yuanjie Liu
    • Junhua Li
    • Yueyang Zhao
    • Hanxiao Jiang
    • Shifang Luo
    • Guiqiong He
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: October 9, 2023     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2023.5316
  • Article Number: 113
  • Copyright: © He et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the accumulation of amyloid‑β (Aβ) in the brain. The gut/brain axis may serve a role in AD pathogenesis. The present study investigated deposition of Aβ in the intestinal epithelium and its potential effects on intestinal barrier function in a transgenic mouse model of AD. To investigate alterations in the structure and functionality of the intestinal mucosal barrier in AD model mice, hematoxylin and eosin staining for Paneth cell count, Alcian blue‑periodic acid Schiff staining for goblet cells, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence for mucin (MUC)2 and wheat germ agglutin expression, transmission electron microscopy for mucosal ultrastructure, FITC‑labeled dextran assay for intestinal permeability, quantitative PCR for goblet cell precursor expression and western blot analysis for tight junction proteins, MUC2 and inflammatory cytokine detection were performed. The results showed that AD model mice exhibited excessive Aβ deposition in the intestinal epithelium, which was accompanied by increased intestinal permeability, inflammatory changes and decreased expression of tight junction proteins. These alterations in the intestinal barrier led to an increased proliferation of goblet and Paneth cells and increased mucus synthesis. Dysfunction of gut barrier occurs in AD and may contribute to its etiology. Future therapeutic strategies to reverse AD pathology may involve early manipulation of gut physiology and its microbiota.
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December-2023
Volume 52 Issue 6

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

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Spandidos Publications style
He J, Liu Y, Li J, Zhao Y, Jiang H, Luo S and He G: Intestinal changes in permeability, tight junction and mucin synthesis in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Int J Mol Med 52: 113, 2023
APA
He, J., Liu, Y., Li, J., Zhao, Y., Jiang, H., Luo, S., & He, G. (2023). Intestinal changes in permeability, tight junction and mucin synthesis in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 52, 113. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2023.5316
MLA
He, J., Liu, Y., Li, J., Zhao, Y., Jiang, H., Luo, S., He, G."Intestinal changes in permeability, tight junction and mucin synthesis in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 52.6 (2023): 113.
Chicago
He, J., Liu, Y., Li, J., Zhao, Y., Jiang, H., Luo, S., He, G."Intestinal changes in permeability, tight junction and mucin synthesis in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 52, no. 6 (2023): 113. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2023.5316