Investigation of the role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in development of Alzheimer's disease in a zebrafish model of mmyloid-β toxicity

Abstract

The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, an evolutionarily conserved and pivotal pathway associated with synapse formation in adulthood, plays a crucial role in Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD, marked by various pathologies, is primarily linked to the accumulation of extracellular beta-amyloid plaques. The interplay between this accumulation and disruptions in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway triggers synaptic degeneration, resulting in synaptic dysfunction and AD progression. In this study, we modeled AD induced by the Aβ42 peptide using adult transgenic (6XTCF) zebrafish. To establish the zebrafish AD model, we employed cerebroventricular microinjection (CVMI) with the Aβ42 peptide. Fish, anesthetized prior to CVMI, were positioned on a stable platform, and the Aβ42 peptide was injected into the telencephalon region of the brain by a capillary needle. Brain samples were collected on 1, 3, 4, 7, and 14 days post-CVMI (dpi) to analyze changes in Aβ42 peptide accumulation, the immune system response, synaptic degeneration, apoptosis, and the expression of genes related to proliferation using qPCR and immunofluorescent staining. To examine the role of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the molecular mechanism of AD development, fish exhibiting high levels of regeneration on days 7 and 14 were treated with the IWR-1 drug, which inhibits the Wnt/β-catenin signaling by stabilizing the Axin2 protein, thereby suppressing the regenerative response. Our results revealed that the AD model manifested on 3dpi, with the regenerative response reaching its peak on 7dpi and 14dpi. Treatment with IWR-1 resulted in increased Aβ42 accumulation, accelerated synaptic degeneration, and elevated cell deaths in fish where the Wnt signaling pathway was inhibited. In conclusion, our adult zebrafish AD model is poised to elucidate the molecular mechanisms connecting the Wnt signaling pathway and AD, thereby contributing to the development of alternative therapeutic approaches for AD patients.