Novel role of curcumin as inhibitor of β-amyloid-induced lamin fragmentation

Oligomer amyloid beta 42 (Aβ) is considered the key pathogenic molecule in Alzheimer disease (AD) and causes specific lamin fragmentation. Curcumin has been recognized for its protective effects against Aβ-induced toxicity in AD, though its underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, the inhibitory mechanism of curcumin against Aβ-induced lamin fragmentation and cell death was investigated. Human neuroblastoma cells were used to examine Aβ-induced lamin fragmentation and lamin deformation by immunoblotting and confocal microscopy, while cell viability was measured using MTT and alamarBlue assay. Caspase and cathepsin L activity were assessed by spectrofluorometry, and Aβ aggregation was evaluated by ThT assay. Our results demonstrated that curcumin inhibited Aβ aggregation, reducing intracellular Aβ uptake by 45% compared to Aβ-treated cells. Curcumin also inhibited the Aβ-induced intracellular calcium rise, subsequently leading to a onefold reduction in cathepsin L activity. This reduction in cathepsin L activity by curcumin blocked the Aβ-induced lamin fragmentation. Collectively, these findings suggest that curcumin inhibits Aβ-induced cell death by preventing Aβ entry and lamin cleavage, providing potential new insights for AD treatment.