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Abstract

The accumulation of tau is a hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases and is associated with neuronal hypoactivity and presynaptic dysfunction. Oral administration of the adenosine A1 receptor antagonist rolofylline (KW-3902) has previously been shown to reverse spatial memory deficits and to normalize the basic synaptic transmission in a mouse line expressing full-length pro-aggregant tau (TauDeltaK) at low levels, with late onset of disease. However, the efficacy of treatment remained to be explored for cases of more aggressive tauopathy. Using a combination of behavioral assays, imaging with several PET-tracers, and analysis of brain tissue, we compared the curative reversal of tau pathology by blocking adenosine A1 receptors in three mouse models expressing different types and levels of tau and tau mutants. We show through positron emission tomography using the tracer [18F]CPFPX (a selective A1 receptor ligand) that intravenous injection of rolofylline effectively blocks A1 receptors in the brain. Moreover, when administered to TauDeltaK mice, rolofylline can reverse tau pathology and synaptic decay. The beneficial effects are also observed in a line with more aggressive tau pathology, expressing the amyloidogenic repeat domain of tau (TauRDDeltaK) with higher aggregation propensity. Both models develop a progressive tau pathology with missorting, phosphorylation, accumulation of tau, loss of synapses, and cognitive decline. TauRDDeltaK causes pronounced neurofibrillary tangle assembly concomitant with neuronal death, whereas TauDeltaK accumulates only to tau pretangles without overt neuronal loss. A third model tested, the rTg4510 line, has a high expression of mutant TauP301L and hence a very aggressive phenotype starting at ~3 months of age. This line failed to reverse pathology upon rolofylline treatment, consistent with a higher accumulation of tau-specific PET tracers and inflammation. In conclusion, blocking adenosine A1 receptors by rolofylline can reverse pathology if the pathological potential of tau remains below a threshold value that depends on concentration and aggregation propensity.