Amyloid-beta down-regulates XIAP expression in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells.

Recent observations suggest that amyloid-beta (Abeta), a major constituent of senile plaques, induces apoptosis in cultured neuronal cells. However, the concentration of Abeta that leads to neuronal cell death is much higher (10-25 microM) than that in the cerebrospinal fluid of normal controls or AD patients (nM order). As reported here, we found that subtoxic concentrations (100-500 nM) of Abeta(1-42) can down-regulate the expression of the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, and that vulnerability to oxidative stress caused by Abeta(1-42) is attenuated by over-expression of XIAP. These results suggest that down-regulation of XIAP expression in response to subtoxic, more physiological concentrations (100-500 nM) of Abeta(1-42) increases vulnerability to oxidative stress.