Perinatal Choline Supplementation Promotes Resilience Against Progression of Alzheimer's Disease-Like Brain Transcriptomic Signatures in AppNL-G-F Mice.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD)-the leading cause of dementia-has no cure, inadequate treatment options, and a limited understanding of prevention measures. We have previously shown that perinatal dietary supplementation with the nutrient choline ameliorates cognitive deficits and reduces amyloidosis across the brain in App^NL-G-F AD model mice. Here, we analyzed transcriptomic abnormalities in these mice and tested the hypothesis that they may be attenuated by perinatal choline supplementation (PCS). Wild-type (WT) and App^NL-G-F dams consumed a diet containing 1.1 (control) or 5 g/kg (supplemented) of choline chloride from 2 weeks prior to mating until weaning. At 3, 6, 9, or 12 months of age, the offspring RNA was sequenced in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. As compared to WT, the App^NL-G-F mice reared on the control diet had age-dependent upregulation of expression of mRNAs and lncRNAs related to inflammation and reduced expression of mRNAs related to neuronal function. As compared to App^NL-G-F mice on the control diet, PCS App^NL-G-F mice increased expression of synaptic genes and downregulated inflammation-related genes starting at 6 months in the cortex; increased expression of GABAergic function and ATP metabolism genes, and decreased expression of inflammatory genes in the hippocampus at 12 months. These changes counteracted the effects of App^NL-G-F genotype seen in mice on the control diet. The expression of many of these choline-protected genes correlated with clinical dementia rating, inflammation, and tauopathy in human postmortem dorsolateral prefrontal cortex AD samples, indicating their relevance to the disease process. The results suggest that adequate choline intake could be a preventive strategy for AD.