Cerebrospinal fluid proteome profiling using machine learning shows a unique protein signature associated with APOE4 genotype

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONProteome changes associated with APOE4 variant carriage that are independent of Alzheimers disease (AD) pathology and diagnosis are unknown. This study investigated APOE4 proteome changes in people with AD, mild cognitive impairment, and no impairment. METHODSClinical, APOE genotype, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) proteome and AD biomarker data was sourced from the Alzheimers Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database. Proteome profiling was done using supervised machine learning. RESULTSWe found an APOE4-specific proteome signature that was independent of cognitive diagnosis and AD pathological biomarkers, and increased risk of progression to cognitive impairment. Proteins were enriched in brain regions including the caudate and cortex and cells including endothelial cells, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes. Enriched peripheral immune cells included T cells, macrophages, and B cells. DISCUSSIONAPOE4 carriers have a unique CSF proteome signature associated with a strong brain and peripheral immune and inflammatory phenotype that likely underlies APOE4 carriers vulnerability to cognitive decline and AD.