In-vitro matured human macrophages express Alzheimer's beta A4-amyloid precursor protein indicating synthesis in microglial cells.
Microglia which are consistently associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) senile plaques are part of the mononuclear phagocyte system. In-vitro matured human monocyte-derived macrophages feature many immunological characteristics of microglia. We found strong constitutive expression of Alzheimer's beta A4-amyloid precursor protein (APP) in human mononuclear phagocytes after terminal in-vitro maturation from monocytes to macrophages. Amyloid has previously been found to be associated with microglia in AD brains, however, it remained unclear whether the material was synthesized in or had been phagocytosed by the cells. The findings presented here support the assumption that brain microglia may contribute to APP synthesis in AD brain.
Bauer
J
J
Psychiatrische Universitätsklinik, Universität Freiburg, Germany.
König
G
G
Strauss
S
S
Jonas
U
U
Ganter
U
U
Weidemann
A
A
Mönning
U
U
Masters
C L
CL
Volk
B
B
Berger
M
M
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism*; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009000:Monocytes / Q000166:cytology; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D011498:Protein Precursors; D012333:RNA, Messenger