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Associations of Serum Antimicrobial Peptide LL-37 with Longitudinal Cognitive Decline and Neurodegeneration Among Older Adults with Memory Complaints

Authors :
Li-Ya Zhang
Duo-Zi Wang
Jian Wang
Lei Guo
Bing-Hu Li
Jian-Hong Wang
Source :
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. 93:595-603
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
IOS Press, 2023.

Abstract

Background: A potential role of the antimicrobial peptide LL-37, which is upregulated after infection, in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) was identified. However, the clinical relevance of LL-37 in AD is not clear yet. Objective: This study aims to investigate the association of circulating LL-37 with longitudinal cognitive decline and neurodegeneration among older adults with memory complaints. Methods: This cohort study recruited 357 older adults with memory complaints. Participants were followed-up for two years and the cognitive functions were assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Serum LL-37, pTau181, and tTau levels were determined at baseline. Associations of baseline LL-37 with longitudinal cognitive decline and change of neurodegenerative biomarkers were analyzed. Results: No difference was found in the slope of longitudinal cognitive decline during follow-up between the low and high LL-37 group, adjusting for age, sex, education, body mass index, APOE ɛ4 carrier status, comorbidities, and baseline MMSE scores (difference in slope: 0.226, 95% CI: –0.169 to 0.621). Higher LL-37 levels were associated with longitudinal cognitive decline, as indicated by a decrease of MMSE scores of 3 points or above during follow-up (OR = 2.11, 95% CI: 1.32 to 3.38). The high LL-37 group had larger slopes of the increase in neurofilament light (difference in slope: 3.759, 95% CI: 2.367 to 5.152) and pTau181 (difference in slope: 0.325, 95% CI: 0.151 to 0.499) than the low LL-37 group. Conclusion: These findings support an association of the antimicrobial peptide LL-37 with AD from a clinical perspective.

Details

ISSN :
18758908 and 13872877
Volume :
93
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease
Accession number :
edsair.doi...........07b62348072c2ee7a286b37861ede94f