Conditional Deletion of Prnp Rescues Behavioral and Synaptic Deficits after Disease Onset in Transgenic Alzheimer's Disease

Biochemical and genetic evidence implicate soluble oligomeric amyloid-beta (Aβo) in triggering Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathophysiology. Moreover, constitutive deletion of the Aβo-binding cellular prion protein (PrPC) prevents development of memory deficits in APPswe/PS1∆E9 mice, a model of familial AD. Here, we define the role of PrPC to rescue or halt established AD endophenotypes in a therapeutic disease-modifying time window after symptom onset. Deletion of Prnp at either 12 or 16 months of age fully reverses hippocampal synapse loss, and completely rescues pre-existing behavioral deficits by 17 months. In contrast, but consistent with a neuronal function for Aβo/PrPC signaling, plaque density, microgliosis and astrocytosis are not altered. Degeneration of catecholaminergic neurons was unchanged by PrPC reduction after disease onset. These results define the potential of targeting PrPC as a disease-modifying therapy for certain AD-related phenotypes after disease onset.