Gintonin Binds to Reduced LPA4 Receptor Subtype in Human Cortical Neurons in Alzheimer’s Disease Brains
2025
Kyu-Sung Kim | Rami Lee | Inyeong Park | Sung-Hee Hwang | Yeshin Kim | Jae-Won Jang | Hyung-Seok Kim | Seong-Min Choi | Sang Jin Kim | Hwa Jin Cho | Ik-Hyun Cho | Jong-Hoon Kim | Do-Geun Kim | Seung-Yeol Nah
Ginseng, a traditional herbal medicine with a long history of use, is known to support human health, particularly by influencing brain function. Recent studies have identified gintonin, a lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor ligand derived from ginseng, as a key bioactive. However, the specific LPA receptor subtypes targeted by gintonin in the human brain to exert its anti-Alzheimer’s (AD) effects remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the LPA receptor subtype targeted by gintonin in the human cortex. Using a fluorescent gintonin conjugate, we investigated receptor binding in cortical samples from healthy individuals (<i>n</i> = 4) and AD patients (<i>n</i> = 4). Our results demonstrated that fluorescent gintonin selectively binds to human cortical neurons rather than glial cells and that gintonin-binding sites are co-localized with the LPA4 receptor subtype. Furthermore, the expression of LPA4 receptors was significantly reduced in the cortical neurons of AD patients. These results suggest that the LPA4 receptor may serve as a novel histopathological marker for AD and represent a promising therapeutic target for gintonin-based prevention and treatment strategies.
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