Blocking beta 2-adrenergic receptor inhibits dendrite ramification in a mouse model of Alzheimer＇s disease

Dendrite ramification affects synaptic strength and plays a crucial role in memory. Previous studies revealed a correlation between beta 2-adrenergic receptor dysfunction and Alzheimer＇s disease （AD）, although the mechanism involved is still poorly understood. The current study investigated the potential effect of the selective β2-adrenergic receptor antagonist, ICI 118551 （ICI）, on Aβ deposits and AD-related cognitive impairment. Morris water maze test results demonstrated that the performance of AD-transgenic （TG） mice treated with ICI （AD-TG/ICI） was significantly poorer compared with NaCl-treated AD-TG mice （AD-TG/NaCl）, suggesting that β2-adrenergic receptor blockage by ICI might reduce the learning and memory abilities of mice. Golgi staining and immunohistochemical staining revealed that blockage of the β2-adrenergic receptor by ICI treatment decreased the number of dendritic branches, and ICI treatment in AD-TG mice decreased the expression of hippocampal synaptophysin and synapsin 1. Western blot assay results showed that the blockage of β2-adrener- gic receptor increased amyloid-β accumulation by downregulating hippocampal a-secretase activity and increasing the phosphorylation of amyloid precursor protein. These findings suggest that blocking the β2-adrenergic receptor inhibits dendrite ramification of hippocampal neurons in a mouse model of AD.