# Peroxynitrite is a Molecular Determinant of Impaired Microvascular Energetics in Alzheimer's Disease

> **NIH NIH R01** · TULANE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA · 2021 · $638,400

## Abstract

Summary
Brain microvessels (BMVs) play an important role in the neurovascular coupling (NVC). Mitochondria are energy
sensors of cells and impaired mitochondrial respiratory function initiate critical signaling detrimental to NVC
leading to impaired cognitive function associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our recent technological
breakthrough utilizing Agilent Seahorse XFe extracellular flux analyzer developed a mitochondrial respiration
assay in BMVs. Using this novel method, we observed age-dependent impairment of mitochondrial respiration
and bioenergetics in BMVs from male and female C57Bl/6 mice. Notably, we found that BMVs from APP NL-G-F
Knock-in model of AD display impaired mitochondrial respiration and accelerated senescence. Furthermore, we
observed that young and aged female mice display sex-dependent differences in microvascular energetics
related to the relative contribution of oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis to overall energy production.
Finally, we found that peroxynitrite scavenger (FeTMPyP) treatment enhanced non-mitochondrial respiration
young female mice but enhanced proton leak in young male mice indicating that the differential peroxynitrite
activity is sex-dependent. Therefore, we hypothesize that peroxynitrite differentially regulates microvascular
mitochondrial function sex-dependently and is the molecular determinant of exaggerated age-related impairment
of NVC and cognitive function in AD. We will employ male and female AD and C57Bl/6 mice of 8 months and 20
months age. Aim 1 will determine the sex dependent differential impact of peroxynitrite on the bioenergetics and
enzyme activities (Krebs cycle, glycolysis, and antioxidants) in BMVs ex vivo. Aim 2 will determine the sex
dependent differential impact of peroxynitrite on in vivo NVC responses to whisker deflections by two-photon
excitation microscopy in awake mice. Aim 3 will determine the sex dependent differential impact of FeTMPyP on
cognitive function by assessing whisker-dependent perceptual learning using the novel texture discrimination
task. The results of this proposal would challenge the existing dogma and will demonstrate the sex-specific
physiological role of peroxynitrite in regulating the microvascular bioenergetics and neurovascular unit.
Furthermore, our results will firmly establish microvascular peroxynitrite as a potential therapeutic target in sex-
dependent vulnerability and severity of AD and other neurodegenerative diseases.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10307476
- **Project number:** 1R01AG074489-01
- **Recipient organization:** TULANE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
- **Principal Investigator:** Prasad V Katakam
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $638,400
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-09-01 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10307476

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10307476, Peroxynitrite is a Molecular Determinant of Impaired Microvascular Energetics in Alzheimer's Disease (1R01AG074489-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10307476. Licensed CC0.

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