One of the circadian clock’s functions is regulating lipid synthesis and transport. We and other groups have shown that circadian clock genes regulate lipid metabolism in peripheral tissues, such as the intestine and liver [
12,
23,
75,
76,
77,
78,
79]. Apolipoproteins are essential for regulating tissue and plasma lipid levels in peripheral tissues and the central brain [
80,
81]. Lipids can be transported throughout the body through lipoproteins, and are produced when apolipoprotein molecules and lipids, like cholesterol and triglycerides, bind together [
82]. Specific apolipoprotein genes encode these apolipoproteins; specifically, apolipoprotein E (
ApoE), clusterin (
Clu), apolipoprotein A1 (
ApoA1), apolipoprotein C1 (
ApoC1), apolipoprotein H (
ApoH), and apolipoprotein M (
ApoM) were closely examined in different studies. There are 22 known apolipoproteins. 9 apolipoproteins were found in the central nervous system (CNS), and 8 apolipoprotein messenger RNA (mRNA) were found in the brain. Twenty years ago, Stuerenburg et al. determined that there are several apolipoproteins in 13–20 nm particles of lipoprotein fraction, such as ApoE, ApoA-I, ApoA-IV, ApoD, ApoH, and ApoJ [
83]. Importantly, ApoE is usually presented to the largest particles. ApoA-I and ApoA-II are found on smaller particles, and ApoJ is allocated across the particle size range. Other apolipoproteins such as ApoA-IV, ApoD, and ApoH are also found in the CSF [
83]. ApoE and ApoA1 are found in higher concentrations in the CSF compared with ApoJ, ApoD, ApoA-II and ApoA-IV [
83,
84].
HDL, Apo AI, ApoJ, and some free fatty acids and triglycerides may cross the blood brain barrier (BBB), while others, such as ApoE do not [
85]. The same principle applies to cholesterol: some forms may cross the barrier while others cannot. Additionally, lipids may have an interactive role with the BBB regarding its functionality: HDL can protect the barrier during multiple sclerosis, cholesterol may disrupt the barrier, and triglycerides can inhibit the transportation of leptin across the barrier [
86]. While the aforementioned ApoE cannot cross the BBB, the human APOE4 allele can have damaging effects on BBB’s function [
85]. As demonstrated, lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins relation to the BBB range from functional to detrimental and are integral to the regulation of health and the study of disease.
The topic of cholesterol is a relevant neurological issue, and its metabolism is largely controlled by astrocytic activity; adult neurons import cholesterol through ApoE-abundant particles via astrocytes in place of natural biosynthesis. Cholesterol is necessary for a multitude of neural functions; in addition, cholesterol dyshomeostasis impacts amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a common neurodegenerative disease in adults [
87]. Neurons regulate cholesterol synthesis and metabolism through ApoE, cholesterol is then secreted from glial cells, specifically astrocytes. Using human U373 (glioblastoma astrocytoma cells) astrocyte-derived cell line, cholesterol metabolism-related proteins were increased when the glial cells were treated with nerve growth factors (NGF). ApoE secretion and the amount of cholesterol increased when the cells were treated with NGF [
88]. Importantly, neuroprotection was suppressed when
N1E-
115 (an adrenergic cell line derived from mouse neuroblastoma C1300) mouse neuroblastoma
cells were cultured with ApoE-silenced cells unlike when it was granted with NGF treatment. NGF was also necessary to activate neuroprotection in N1E-115 neurons [
88].
HDL and plasma concentrations of certain apolipoproteins can also be a potential biomarker of covert brain infarcts. Manja Koch et al. found that in subspecies with lower concentrations of ApoC3, ApoJ, or ApoE, higher ApoA1 concentrations were correlated with fewer brain infarcts [
90]. Similarly, in subspecies with lower concentrations of ApoC3 or ApoJ, higher apoE concentrations were correlated with greater covert infarcts [
90]. It is suggesting that HDL is a potential method of drug delivery to tumors even across the BBB, specifically with poorly soluble or unstable therapeutics [
91].
To understand how apolipoprotein genes are expressed in the SCN, we checked several apolipoprotein genes from the SCNseq and CircaDB. We found that ApoJ (Clu) has the highest expression in SCN, compared with ApoE and ApoC1 (
Figure 3), suggesting that these apolipoproteins are expressed and synthesized within the brain tissue. It is possible that these apolipoproteins were expressed in locations other than in the SCN. The other apolipoprotein genes were lowly expressed, indicating that these apolipoproteins might be synthesized in peripheral tissues and brought to the brain through circulation. However, ApoM, ApoB, ApoA4 did not show any expression within the SCN of mice. Interestingly, ApoA1, ApoC3, and ApoH are also expressed in SCN. In addition, we found that, like the circadian clock-related genes, all the studied apolipoprotein genes also showed rhythmic expression (
Figure 4). Although ApoM did not show expression in the SCN, it did show changes in expression levels over a 24-h cycle in the overall cerebral tissue. ApoA1, ApoC1, and ApoE all showed their highest peaks in the daytime when the mice were inactive. On the other hand, ApoH, ApoM, and Clu showed the highest activity in their active phase.
4.5. ApoE
ApoE has been explored with much depth. The human APOE has three major alleles, including APOE2, APOE3, and APOE4, but mouse ApoE has only one isoform. The variants of the human APOE gene may cause the link between microglial cells and synaptic dysfunction and be the cause of malfunctioning lipid metabolism [
117]. Understanding how risk factors affect neurons and glia is at the forefront of US public health. Over 20% of the population carry the APOE4 gene and 40% are obese, suggesting that people with ApoE4 variants in their genotype may be at a higher risk for neurodegenerative diseases such as AD, late-stage AD, Lewy body dementia, depression, traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury (SCI) and stroke. In addition, the APOE2 allele is associated with a higher disease risk of PD [
118].
There are three human ApoE alleles and six phenotypes with different metabolic implications and plasma cholesterol levels. Defective APOE2 is associated with type III dysbetalipoproteinemia due to inefficient clearance of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. Defective APOE4 is known to increase the risk of AD as well as the age of onset and progression. Much researches have been centered on deciphering the role of APOE in the neural β-amyloid deposition to further understand why APOE4 is considered a risk factor for AD and Lewy body dementia [
119]. Recently, studies used human iPSC-derived cerebral organoid models, found the lack of cerebral APOE expression increased α-synuclein buildup and lipid buildup, which are characteristics of AD and dementia [
120]. Interestingly, the expression of APOE2 and APOE3 can prevent these accumulations; however, APOE4 may enhance the influence of genetics on Lewy body dementia [
121]. α-synuclein buildup was higher in APOE4 carriers than APOE3 carriers.
APOE4 is a well known risk factor for the development of AD, specifically for the development of late-stage AD, and that abnormal sphingolipid levels have been implicated as well. The impairment of endolysosomal trafficking, disruption of synaptic homeostasis, and reduced amyloid clearance are due to the isoelectric point of APOE4 matching the pH of the early endosome, which induces delayed dissociation from ApoE receptors [
122]. Recently, Montagne et al. have shown that breakdown of the BBB contributes to APOE4 -related cognitive decline [
123].
To study how human APOE polymorphism plays a role in atherosclerosis, lipid metabolism, and AD at the animal level, humanized mouse models were discovered and used with the replacement of the mouse Apoe gene with human APOE4 [
124]. APOE4 is also known to cause neuronal hyperexcitability in knock-in mice susceptible to AD, suggesting that APOE4 carriers maybe a therapeutic target during the breakdown of the BBB contributes to APOE4-related cognitive decline.
APOE is also required for a properly functioning hippocampus and for hippocampal neurogenesis after TBI in mice [
125]. Female mice presented a significant APOE genotype and TBI correlation regarding alcohol consumption. APOE4 carrier status and reduced hippocampal volume were both linked with symptoms of depression [
126]. However, there was a lack of data to show that decreased cognitive ability is associated with depression, suggesting that depression is associated with APOE status and hippocampal volume but not cognitive decline in older adults aging with TBI [
127]. APOE levels in the amygdala and prefrontal cortex can predict relative regional brain volumes in irradiated Rhesus macaques [
128]. Disease risk caused by APOE4 also depends on its effects on β-amyloid deposition, regardless of diagnosis, the gene is associated with increased β-amyloid levels [
119].
Inflammatory pathways are impaired in AD and differentially associated with APOE Statue. Multiple neurological pathways are damaged in APOE4 carriers with AD when compared with APOE3 carriers [
129]. APOE4 mice developed a leaky BBB [
130], increased Matrix Metallopeptidase 9, damaged tight junctions, and decreased astrocyte end-foot coverage of blood vessels, whereas APOE2 and APOE3 mice did not [
130]. Removal of APOE4 led to improvements in all aforementioned areas while the removal of APOE3 did not affect BBB integrity. Thus, APOE4 is a main proprietor of BBB dysfunction, and in turn, the astrocytic production of the said allele is responsible for regulating its integrity [
130].
APOE4-oeverexpression mice had higher ceremide levels in the cortex than APOE3-overexpression mice; mice with a familial history of AD also showed higher ceremide levels in the cortex than mice without. The older mice (>5 months) showed higher sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) levels in all three brain regions compared to younger mice (<3 months). Another differentiating factor was sex, as ceramide levels were lower in the hippocampus but higher in the cortex of female mice than of male mice [
131]. Thus, one can determine that sex has a more substantial influence on neural ceramide levels in mice than the APOE genotype, familial AD history, or age.
While APOE4 is mainly generated by astrocytes, it can also be generated by neurons when the brain is under unusual stress, such as aging. APOE isoforms show different effects on neural activity using different cellular sources, including astrocytes and neurons, in control and AD-like in vitro cultured neuron models [
131]. While astrocyte-originated APOE4 appears to increase neuronal activity, neuron-expressed ApoE appears to induce a higher firing rate in APOE3. Moreover, APOE isoforms have different effects on neuronal activity in APP/PS1 AD transgenic compared to wild-type mice neurons [
132]. These studies suggested that ApoE has different implications and effects on neuronal activity depending on whether it is produced by astrocytes or neurons: astrocytic ApoE is associated with a stronger firing rate of ApoE4, while the most active neuronal activity induced by neuronal ApoE is caused by APOE3.
APOE3-overexpression mice regulated a neural response to high-fat diet while APOE4- overexpression mice did not, supporting a model wherein early dysregulation of inflammation in APOE4 brains precipitates increased CNS damage [
133]. Sortilin is a receptor that works with ApoE to stimulate the polyunsaturated fatty acids to become neuromodulators and create anti-inflammatory genes within the brain, building up cerebral protection. However, while this process occurs in APOE3 carriers, it is absent in APOE4 carriers, suggesting that impaired cerebral lipid metabolism is a characteristic of AD in APOE4 carriers [
134].
ApoE is a lipid-transporting protein, known to control the inflammatory characteristics of activated microglia in various neurodegenerative diseases. Microglia are known to activate early in prion pathogenesis, but, result in microglia-driven neuroinflammation and deterioration of neural networks. There is a marked upregulation of ApoE expression in activated microglia, but reduced expression in activated astrocytes in the infection of wild-type mice with 22L prions. Ablating ApoE showed an exaggeration of prion protein (PrP)-modulated neurodegeneration [
135].
ApoE-deficient (Apoe−/−) mice provide an excellent model to study atherosclerosis—the buildup of fats in artery walls—due to their similarilarities to human pathology and diet [
136]. Apoe−/− mice have shorter disease incubation periods, increased spongiform lesions, increased neurodegeneration, and increased astrocytes and microgliosis. Astrocytes of Apoe−/− mice demonstrate upregulation of markers indicative of neurotoxic A1 reactive astrocytes, and microglia show upregulation of markers indicative of microglial neurodegenerative phenotype. Thus, ApoE-deficient mice result in impaired clearance of normal cellular PrP and dying neurons by microglia—the excess neural debris leads to neuroinflammation and neuronal death [
135].
There is a strong association between ApoE and Aβ production in vivo within the brains of mice. ApoE regulates Aβ synthesis with lipid clusters in vitro system studies [
137]. ApoE uses cholesterol molecules from astrocytes to regulate and interact with APP and synthesizes Aβ peptide molecules. When astrocyte-derived cholesterol was deleted, the impact of amyloid plaque accumulation on AD decreased. The amount of cholesterol within the neurons decreased, whereas the protective product of APP, APP-ɑ, was synthesized after being treated with cholesterol-free ApoE in neurons.
ApoE has also shown many physiological and pathophysiological functions, such as immunomodulation, oxidative stress, stabilization of neuronal microtubules, synaptic plasticity, and apoptosis. The unknown contribution of ApoE may still need to be established.
4.6. ApoC1
ApoC1 is small apolipoprotein molecule. ApoC-I mRNA and protein have been expressed in brain astrocytes, which decreases with age [
138,
139,
140]. ApoC1 is mainly expressed in the liver, macrophage, but also expressed in SCN of brain. Polymorphisms of the human APOC1 gene are related with the altered transcription, which increased the development of AD and blood total cholesterol and triglyceride [
141,
142]. ApoC1 has shown play a central role in the metabolism of HDL and VLDL. One important function of apoC1 is activated when monocytes differentiate in macrophages. ApoC1 works on a lipoprotein receptors by several factors, such as: inhibiting binding mediated by ApoE, reducing lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic lipase to enhance blood triglyceride levels, decreasing phospholipase A2, downregulating cholesterylester transfer protein and activating lecithin-cholesterol transferase to control blood cholesterol levels [
38]. Several studied have shown that ApoC1 linked to several pathways including plasma lipoprotein assembly, remodeling, and clearance and liver X receptors LXRα and LXRβ-related signaling [
143,
144,
145]. More important function of ApoC1 is play important role in triglyceride-rich lipoprotein by inhibiting the binding of VLDL to VLDL-receptor, to LDL-receptor and to LDL-receptor related protein (LRP) and downregulating the activity of LPL.
Studies have shown that Global apoC1 knockout (apoC1
−/−) mice showed impaired hippocampal-dependent memory and increased expression of TNFα. Mice overexpressing human APOC1 also had damages in learning and memory. These studies showed that the loss or gain of ApoC1 function both decrease learning and memory [
146]. ApoC-I is known to block the ApoE receptor interaction, and in turn, the expression of APOE4 allele usually results in increased expression of ApoC1 [
147]. There are several functions of ApoC1 -mediated lipid metabolism in the brain as shown in peripheral tissue and play an impartment role in CVD, however, future research is necessary to determine whether ApoC1 that showed rhythmic expressions are associated with brain lipid metabolism.
4.8. ApoJ
ApoJ, also called Clusterin, is found in the brain, synthesized by astrocytes, is found on HDL. ApoJ- lipoproteins are generally small and contain less lipids. ApoJ expression has been found in astrocytes, neurons, and the ependymal cells, lining the ventricle of the brain [
148]. ApoJ has also been shown to play an important role as an essential determinant of CSF cholesterol efflux capacity, which in turn could mitigate the risk of mild cognitive impairment and AD via assistance of cellular efflux of cholesterol or other lipids [
148]. ApoJ can also act as a molecular chaperone in the cellular stress response [
89,
152,
153]. ApoJ is able to bind to Aß fibrils and is correlated with Aß plaques, neuropil threads, and cerebrovascular amyloid deposits in the AD brain [
89,
154,
155]. ApoJ can suppress Aß aggregation and facilitate its pass through the BBB, suggesting that ApoJ may exert a neuroprotective effect. ApoJ has been identified as playing an essential role in neurodegenerative conditions, such as Lewy bodies, and prion deposits, and pathological conditions, such as AD, multiple sclerosis, TBI, SCI, gliomas, ischemia, epilepsy, chemically induced lesions, and aging [
89,
156,
157]. ApoJ knock out (ApoJ
-/-) mice displaedy significantly impaired recovery from cerebral ischemic insult, suggesting that ApoJ provides protection from these injurious states.