Oligodendrocytes produce amyloid-β and contribute to plaque formation alongside neurons in Alzheimer’s disease model mice

Abstract

Amyloid-β (Aβ) is thought to be neuronally derived in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, transcripts of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and amyloidogenic enzymes are equally abundant in oligodendrocytes (OLs). By cell-type-specific deletion of Bace1 in a humanized knock-in AD model, APPNLGF, we demonstrate that OLs and neurons contribute to Aβ plaque burden. For rapid plaque seeding, excitatory projection neurons must provide a threshold level of Aβ. Ultimately, our findings are relevant for AD prevention and therapeutic strategies.