Alterations of endocannabinoid signaling and microglia reactivity in the retinas of AD-like mice precede the onset of hippocampal β-amyloid plaques.

Extra-cerebral manifestations of Alzheimer's disease (AD) develop in the retina, which is, therefore, considered a "window to the brain". Recent studies demonstrated the dysregulation of the endocannabinoid (eCB) system (ECS) in AD brain. Here, we explored the possible alterations of ECS and the onset of gliosis in the retina of AD-like mice. Tg2576 (TG) mice overexpressing the amyloid precursor protein (APP) were used at the age of 12 months, when hippocampal β-amyloid plaques had not been developed yet. Analysis of retinal gliosis showed a significant increase in the number of IBA1 (+) microglia cells in TG versus wild type (WT). Gliosis was not associated with retinal β-amyloid plaques, evident retinal degenerative signatures, or excitotoxicity; instead, oxidative stress burden was observed as increased acrolein levels. Analysis of the ECS (receptors/metabolic enzymes) through western blotting (WB) revealed the up-regulation of cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB₂) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), the enzyme responsible for the degradation of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), in TG retinas. Fluorescence intensity analysis of anti-CB₂ and anti-MAGL immuno-stained cryosections was consistent with WB, showing their up-regulation throughout the retinal layers. No statistically significant differences were found for the other enzymes/receptors of the ECS under study. However, linear regression analysis for individual animals showed a significant correlation between CB₂ and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), diacylglycerol lipase α/β (DAGLα/β), and APP; instead, a significant negative correlation was found between MAGL and APP. Finally, ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) demonstrated a significant reduction of 2-AG in TG retinas (~0.34 ng/mg) compared to WT (~1.70 ng/mg), while a trend toward increase was found for the other eCB anandamide (AEA). Overall, our data indicate that gliosis and ECS dysregulation-in particular of CB₂, MAGL and 2-AG-occur in the retina of AD-like mice before retinal degeneration and development of hippocampal β-amyloid plaques.