Evaluating the use of neuronal cell culture models for investigating the molecular mechanisms underpinning Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the leading cause of senile dementia, and the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder worldwide. In the UK, it is estimated that AD-related deaths will surpass those from all types of cancer by 2040. Historically, cell culture models have been used to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underpinning complex neurological disorders such as AD, in combination with behavioural and biological studies of model organisms. Here, I begin to evaluate the validity of two different primary neuronal systems – utilising lentiviral vectors and synthetic Aβ treatments - as simplified models in which to investigate aspects of AD cell biology. Through studying the expression levels of a range of AD-related proteins-of-interest – comprising synaptic and mitochondrial proteins, as well as those involved in SUMOylation - I also compare the two primary culture systems with a well-characterised AD model, the PDAPP mouse.

Date of Award	7 May 2019
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Bristol
Supervisor	Jeremy M Henley (Supervisor)