Study Clarifies Connection Between Alzheimer Disease and Iron Redox

Researchers from The University of Texas at Austin and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found an association between iron redox and Alzheimer disease (AD) in the brains of mice. Results were published in Science Advances.

>>NEWS: Positive Antibody Tests for Common Infections Associated With Reduced Cognition in Older Adults

“Overall, our data demonstrate that our DNAzyme-based iron sensors can provide unique and powerful tools for studying the intracellular dynamics of iron redox states,” the authors noted, “and have the potential to open new avenues to further investigate different biological processes that involve redox metal ions and understand their roles in several neurodegenerative diseases such as AD.”

Authors of this study focused on utilizing DNAzyme-based fluorescent turn-on sensors that detect either Fe2+ or Fe3+ with selectivity, allowing them to investigate the Fe3+/Fe2+ ratio in different biological contexts. Specifically, they examined ferroptosis, a form of cell death associated with iron imbalance, and Alzheimer disease in mouse brain tissue.

>>NEWS: Adherence to MIND or Mediterranean Diets Associated With Lower Beta-Amyloid Load in Alzheimer Disease

The study findings revealed a decreased Fe3+/Fe2+ ratio during ferroptosis, indicating a shift towards Fe2+ accumulation. Researchers also observed an increased Fe3+/Fe2+ ratio in the brain tissue of mice with AD. Notably, this elevation was primarily observed in regions associated with amyloid plaques, suggesting a potential correlation between amyloid plaques and the accumulation of Fe3+ or the conversion of Fe2+ to Fe3+.

“Our sensors can provide deep insights into the biological roles of labile iron redox cycling,” researchers concluded. 

Reference
Wu Y, Torabi SF, Lake RJ, et al. Simultaneous Fe2+/Fe3+ imaging shows Fe3+ over Fe2+ enrichment in Alzheimer’s disease mouse brain. Sci Adv. 2023;9(16). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade762.