Reduced levels of amyloid beta-peptide antibody in Alzheimer disease.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether it was possible to detect the presence and different levels of naturally occurring anti-beta-amyloid (Abeta) antibodies in the CSF of patients with AD and age-matched controls by employing a sensitive ELISA.


BACKGROUND
Immunization with preaggregated amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta(1-42)) and administration of antibodies against Abeta into amyloid precursor protein APP(V717F)- transgenic mice (an animal model of AD) have recently been reported to dramatically reduce amyloid plaque deposition, neuritic dystrophy, and astrogliosis, most likely by enhancing Abeta clearance from brain.


METHODS
A sensitive ELISA was performed to detect levels of naturally occurring anti-Abeta antibodies in the CSF of patients with AD and age-matched controls. Additionally, an immunoprecipitation assay was performed to confirm that naturally occurring anti-Abeta antibodies also exist in the human blood.


RESULTS
- Naturally occurring antibodies directed against Abeta were found in the CSF and plasma of patients with AD and healthy control subjects. Moreover, CSF anti-Abeta antibody titers are significantly lower in patients with AD compared with healthy control subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
Naturally occurring antibodies directed against Abeta exist in human CSF and plasma. The CSF anti-Abeta antibody titers may be helpful in better understanding the effects of future immunologic therapies for AD.
Du
Y
Y
Department of Pharmacology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis 46285, USA. ydu@iupui.edu
Dodel
R
R
Hampel
H
H
Buerger
K
K
Lin
S
S
Eastwood
B
B
Bales
K
K
Gao
F
F
Moeller
H J
HJ
Oertel
W
W
Farlow
M
M
Paul
S
S
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000276:immunology*; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000276:immunology*; D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008875:Middle Aged
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor; D000906:Antibodies