Plasma extracellular vesicles from APOE3 Christchurch carriers display a protective phenotype in early stages of autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease
Abstract
Abstract INTRODUCTION The PSEN1 E280A mutation causes autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease (ADAD) with predictable onset, enabling presymptomatic studies. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging biomarkers of cognitive decline, but their role in early ADAD is unclear. The rare apolipoprotein E ( APOE3 ) Christchurch ( APOE3 Ch ) variant delays disease onset, yet its effect on EVs is unknown. METHODS We analyzed plasma EVs from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and non‐MCI PSEN1 E280A ‐ APOE3 carriers and non‐MCI PSEN1 E280A ‐ APOE3 Ch carriers using flow cytometry, proteomics, and co‐culture assays. RESULTS APOE3 Ch ‐EVs showed reduced vascular activation and inflammatory cargo linked to β‐catenin signaling, higher apoE levels, and enrichment in lipid‐loaded EVs. They mimicked the protective effect of recombinant ApoE3Ch on endothelial integrity by restoring β‐catenin nuclear localization. In contrast, EVs from non‐MCI PSEN1 E280A ‐ APOE3 carriers displayed vascular and inflammatory signatures associated with poorer cognition and detrimental astrocyte–endothelium effects. These findings highlight APOE3 Ch ‐EVs as modulators of vascular and inflammatory pathways with biomarker and therapeutic potential in ADAD.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Extracellular vesicles in disease
Alzheimer's disease research and treatments
Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Alzheimer s & Dementia
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Volume
- 22
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- e71148–e71148
- Publication date
- 1 January 2026
- Language
- EN