Astrocytes may play important roles in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) by clearing extracellular amyloid beta (Aβ) through endocytosis and degradation. We recently showed that metallothionein 3 (Mt3)， a zinc-binding metallothionein that is enriched in the central nervous system， contributes to actin polymerization in astrocytes. Because actin is likely involved in the endocytosis of Aβ， we investigated the possible role of Mt3 in Aβ endocytosis by cortical astrocytes in this study.
Astrocytes may play important roles in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) by clearing extracellular amyloid beta (Aβ) through endocytosis and degradation. We recently showed that metallothionein 3 (Mt3)， a zinc-binding metallothionein that is enriched in the central nervous system， contributes to actin polymerization in astrocytes. Because actin is likely involved in the endocytosis of Aβ， we investigated the possible role of Mt3 in Aβ endocytosis by cortical astrocytes in this study.
