Aberrant T-lymphocyte Development and Function in Mice Overexpressing Human Soluble Amyloid Precursor Protein-α: Implications for Autism

Abnormalities in T-lymphocyte populations and function are observed in autism. Soluble amyloid precursor protein α (sAPP-α) is elevated in some patients with autism and is known to be produced by immune cells. In light of the well-established role of sAPP-α in proliferation, growth, and survival of neurons, we hypothesized an analogous role in the immune system. Thus, we explored whether sAPP-α could modulate immune development and function, especially aspects of the pinnacle cell of the adaptive arm of the immune system: the T cell. To do this, we generated mice overexpressing human sAPP-α and characterized elements of T-cell development, signal transduction, cytokine production, and innate/adaptive immune functions. Here, we report that transgenic sAPP-α-overexpressing (TgsAPP-α) mice displayed increased proportions of CD8(+) T cells, while effector memory T cells were decreased in the thymus. Overall apoptotic signal transduction was decreased in the thymus, an effect that correlated with dramatic elevations in Notch1 activation; while active-caspase-3/total-caspase-3 and Bax/Bcl-2 ratios were decreased. Greater levels of IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-4 were observed after ex vivo challenge of TgsAPP-α mouse splenocytes with T-cell mitogen. Finally, after immunization, splenocytes from TgsAPP-α mice displayed decreased levels IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-4, as well as suppressed ZAP70 activation, after recall antigen stimulation. Given elevated levels of circulating sAPP-α in some patients with autism, sAPP-α could potentially drive aspects of immune dysfunction observed in these patients, including dysregulated T-cell apoptosis, aberrant PI3K/AKT signaling, cytokine alterations, and impaired T-cell recall stimulation.