Plaque-associated lipids in Alzheimer's diseased brain tissue visualized by nonlinear microscopy
Journal article, 2015

By simultaneous coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) and 2-photon fluorescence microscopy of Thioflavin-S stained Alzheimer's diseased human brain tissues, we show evidence of lipid deposits co-localizing with fibrillar beta-amyloid (A beta) plaques. Two lipid morphologies can be observed; lamellar structures and coalescing macro-aggregates of sub-micron sizes to similar to 25 mu m. No significant lipid deposits were observed in non-fibrillar, diffuse plaques identified by A beta immuno-staining. CARS microscopy of unlabeled samples confirms the lamellar and macro-aggregate lipid morphologies. The composition of the plaques was analyzed by CARS microspectroscopy and Raman microscopy; vibrational signatures of lipids with long acyl chains co-localize with the beta-sheet vibrations. The lipid fluidity was evaluated from the CARS spectra, illustrating that the lipid composition/organization varies throughout the plaques. Altogether this indicates close amyloid-lipid interplay in fibrillar A beta plaques, rendering them more dynamic compositions than previously believed and, hence, potential sources of toxic oligomers.

Author

Juris Kiskis

Chalmers, Biology and Biological Engineering, Food and Nutrition Science

Helen Fink

Chalmers, Biology and Biological Engineering, Food and Nutrition Science

Lena Nyberg

Chalmers, Biology and Biological Engineering, Chemical Biology

J. Thyr

K-analys AB

J. Y. Li

Lund University

Annika Enejder

Chalmers, Biology and Biological Engineering, Chemical Biology

Scientific Reports

2045-2322 (ISSN) 20452322 (eISSN)

Vol. 5 Art. no. 13489- 13489

Subject Categories

Neurosciences

Neurology

DOI

10.1038/srep13489

PubMed

26311128

More information

Latest update

5/24/2024