(Mol Neurobiol, 2010-05-01) Yang, Xiaoguang; Askarova, Sholpan; Lee, James C-M.
Alzheimer's disease is a chronic neurodegenerative
disorder characterized by neuronal loss, cerebrovascular
inflammation, and accumulation of senile plaques in the
brain parenchyma and cerebral blood vessels. Amyloid-β
peptide (Aβ), a major component of senile plaques, has
been shown to exert multiple toxic effects to neurons,
astrocytes, glial cells, and brain endothelium. Oligomeric
Aβ can disturb the structure and function of cell membranes
and alter membrane mechanical properties, such as
membrane fluidity and molecular order. Much of these
effects are attributed to their capability to trigger oxidative
stress and inflammation. In this review, we discuss the
effects of Aβ on neuronal cells, astrocytes, and cerebral
endothelial cells with special emphasis on cell membrane
properties and cell functions.