[Detection of antibodies to beta-amyloid in carriers of E280A mutation in the presenilin-1 gene].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate some immune component that could contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease associated with the E280A mutation of the presenilin-1 gene (PS-1).


METHODS
Serum antibodies against both cardiolipin and beta-amyloid peptides (beta 1-40 and beta 1-42) were quantitated by means of an indirect ELISA technique in carriers of the mutation, either healthy or with Alzheimer's disease, as well as in normal controls without the mutation.


RESULTS
Out of 19 patients with Alzheimer's disease only 2 had increased values of antibodies to cardiolipin, namely: one with 14.58 micrograms/ml of IgM and the other with 36.16 micrograms/ml of IgG. The remaining individuals revealed values under 10 micrograms/ml, considered normal, and there was no significant difference between the groups. Significant serum reactivity (p < 0.001) was detected against both beta-amyloid peptides in the mutation carriers, either with or without Alzheimer's disease, as compared to the control group. No correlation was detected between this antibody response and the mental or functional situation of the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
beta-amyloid antibodies, present in the mutation carriers, may simply represent a marker of immune activation induced by beta-amyloid with no in vivo effect; however, despite the results, the possibility can not be ruled out of a pathogenic role of these antibodies in early onset Alzheimer's disease.
Toro
F
F
Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.
Lopera
F
F
Ossa
J
J
Madrigal
L
L
Mira
A
A
Díaz
A
A
Parra
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D017153:Antibodies, Anticardiolipin / Q000276:immunology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000235:genetics*; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D017354:Point Mutation / Q000235:genetics*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D017153:Antibodies, Anticardiolipin; D008565:Membrane Proteins