Ergothioneine, a dietary antioxidant improves amyloid beta clearance in the neuroretina of a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract

OCTN1 immunoreactivity was significantly low in the eye cross-sections of Ergo-treated and non-treated 5XFAD vs. WT controls. Strong Aβ labeling, detected in the superficial layers in the wholemounts of Ergo-treated 5XFAD vs. non-treated 5XFAD reflects the existence of an effective Aβ clearance system. This was supported by imaging of cross-sections where Aβ immunoreactivity was significantly low in the neuroretina of Ergo-treated 5XFAD vs. non-treated 5XFAD. Moreover, semi-quantitative analysis in wholemounts identified a significantly reduced number of large Aβ deposits or plaques, and a significantly increased number of IBA1(+)ve blood-derived phagocytic macrophages in Ergo-treated 5XFAD vs. non-treated 5XFAD. In sum, enhanced Aβ clearance in Ergo-treated 5XFAD suggests that Ergo uptake may promote Aβ clearance possibly by blood-derived phagocytic macrophages and <i>via</i> perivascular drainage.