ApoE3 R136S binds to Tau and blocks its propagation, suppressing neurodegeneration in mice with Alzheimer's disease

PSEN1 E280A carrier for the APOE3 Christchurch variant (R136S) is protected against Alzheimer's disease (AD) symptoms with a distinct anatomical pattern of Tau pathology. However, the molecular mechanism accounting for this protective effect remains incompletely understood. Here, we show that the ApoE3 R136S mutant strongly binds to Tau and reduces its uptake into neurons and microglia compared with ApoE3 wild type (WT), diminishing Tau fragmentation by asparagine endopeptidase (AEP), proinflammatory cytokines by Tau pre-formed fibrils (PFFs) or β-amyloid (Aβ), and neurotoxicity. Further, ApoE3 R136S demonstrates more robust effects in attenuating AEP activation and Tau PFF spreading in the brains of both 5xFAD and Tau P301S mice than in ApoE3 WT, leading to improved cognitive functions. Thus, our findings support the idea that ApoE3 R136S strongly binds Tau and decreases its cellular uptake, abrogating Tau pathology propagation in AD brains.