Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is a critical apoprotein of the chylomicron which binds to a specific receptor on liver cells and peripheral cells. Additionally, the 4 allele of ApoE (ApoE4) is a major risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), with possession of at least one ApoE4 allele in 40–65% of patients with AD. The exact mechanism of how ApoE4 may increase susceptibility to AD has yet to be elucidated.
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Figure 1. 5- and 10-week-old ApoE knockout rats display increased serum cholesterol levels as compared to wild type animals
ApoE (-/-) rats have higher total cholesterol levels at 5- and 10-weeks of age with normal diet.
ApoE is essential for the normal metabolism of lipids. It is expressed in the liver, intestines and brain, preventing the accumulation of cholesterol-rich particles in plasma. Widely studied for its role in cardiovascular disease and lipoprotein transport, it has more recently been implicated in Alzheimer’s disease and cognition, making this a useful model for the study of atherosclerosis, Alzheimer’s and nerve injury.
