title: The subunits of alpha2-macroglobulin receptor/low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein, native and transformed alpha2-macroglobulin and interleukin 6 in Alzheimer's disease.
abstract: To explore the role of alpha2-macroglobulin receptor/low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (alpha2M-R/LRP) and its ligands in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), antibodies were raised against its alpha- and beta-subunits and their expression pattern in the CNS in AD and control cases was correlated with that of native and transformed alpha2-macroglobulin (alpha2M) and interleukin 6 (IL-6). The transmembranous beta-subunit of alpha2M-R/LRP and transformed alpha2M were found in plaque cores in AD. Extramembranous alpha-subunit and native alpha2M immunoreactivities were localized in activated plaque-associated astrocytes and extracellularly in plaques. IL-6 immunostaining was associated with neurofibrillary changes, and was also found extracellularly in the center of plaques and in microglial cells. Our finding that plaque cores contain a second transmembranous protein fragment, the beta-subunit of alpha2 M-R/LRP, suggests ongoing membrane-protein degradation. By altering clearance and scavenger-like functions, fragmentation and breakdown of alpha2M-R/LRP may have an important role in extracellular amyloid deposition and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles in AD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, University of Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Thal
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schober
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Birkenmeier
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology; D026503:Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-1; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010920:Placenta; D058225:Plaque, Amyloid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology; D011973:Receptors, LDL / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015850:Interleukin-6; D026503:Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-1; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D011973:Receptors, LDL; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins