Bioimaging of copper alterations in the aging mouse brain by autoradiography, laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and immunohistochemistry.

Copper may play an important role in the brain in aging and neurodegenerative diseases. We compare the active Cu uptake, Cu-containing enzyme levels, and total Cu distribution in the brains of young and aging mice. (67)Cu was administered intravenously to 2, 7-9, and 14 month old mice. Active uptake of (67)Cu in the brain was measured at 24 h by digital phosphor autoradiography. Cerebral superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD-1) and cytochrome-C oxidase subunit-1 (CCO-1) levels were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The total Cu distribution in brain section was determined by imaging laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). In aging mice, active (67)Cu uptake and SOD-1 levels were significantly decreased in the brain, whereas blood (67)Cu and CCO-1 levels were similar for all mice, irrespective of age. Paradoxically, global Cu cerebral content was increased in aged mice, suggesting that regulation of active Cu uptake by the brain may be linked to total Cu levels in an attempt to maintain Cu homeostasis. However, focal areas of both decreased Cu uptake and Cu content were noted in the striatum and ventral cortex in aging mice. These focal areas of Cu deficit correspond to the regions of greatest reduction in SOD-1 in the aged mice. In aging, dysregulated Cu homeostasis may result in decreased SOD-1 levels, which may contribute to oxidative vulnerability of the aging brain. This study illustrates the importance of a multi-modality approach in studying the biodistribution and homeostasis of Cu in the brain.