# Impact of APOE Christchurch mutation on amyloid burden and tau pathology

> **NIH NIH R03** · INDIANA UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS · 2021 · $158,500

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Apolipoprotein E (APOE), a major apolipoprotein in the brain, transfers cholesterol and lipids through cell surface
receptors and maintains lipid homeostasis. APOE polymorphism is also linked to the genetic risk factor for
Alzheimer’s disease (AD). For decades, APOE2 has been considered the most protective APOE isoform among
the major 3 APOE isoforms, whereas APOE4 accelerates AD pathologies in both human and mouse animal
models. In addition, the recent case report has shown that APOE3 Christchurch mutation, a rare APOE variant,
could be a beneficial genetic modifier against AD progression. However, the exact function of the APOE
Christchurch mutation and its role in AD pathologies are not clearly understood.
It has been well studied that APOE isoforms have differential effects on amyloid-β (Aβ) pathology and the
lipidated status of APOE has been involved in Aβ deposition. In addition to Aβ pathology, the recent study
suggested APOE isoform modulates tau pathology and tau-related neurodegeneration. In this proposal, we
pursue to investigate the roles of APOE Christchurch mutation in AD pathologies. We hypothesized that APOE
Christchurch mutation provides beneficial effects against AD progression by modulating lipidation of APOE.
APOE Christchurch mutation could impact both Aβ plaque burden and tau-related pathology. The goal of this
proposal to determine how APOE Christchurch mutation interact to suppress the pathologies caused by
Aβ and Tau.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10288471
- **Project number:** 1R03AG073879-01
- **Recipient organization:** INDIANA UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS
- **Principal Investigator:** YOUNGHYE MOON
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $158,500
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-08-15 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10288471

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10288471, Impact of APOE Christchurch mutation on amyloid burden and tau pathology (1R03AG073879-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10288471. Licensed CC0.

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