title: Wheat germ agglutinin-binding glycoproteins are decreased in Alzheimer's disease cerebrospinal fluid.
abstract: A number of biomarkers (e.g. Abeta, tau) has been identified in Alzheimer's disease CSF. However, none fulfils the criteria of sensitivity and specificity (> 80%) needed for the development of an accurate diagnostic test. The lack of a suitable marker has prompted the search for new CSF biomarkers. In this study, the glycosylation of CSF proteins was examined using lectin blotting. Lumbar CSF was collected ante mortem from 22 non-Alzheimer's disease and 12 probable Alzheimer's disease cases and ventricular CSF collected post mortem from 7 non-Alzheimer's disease and 16 Alzheimer's disease cases confirmed by pathologic examination. When CSF glycoproteins were stained with wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), the staining intensity was found to be significantly lower in the Alzheimer's disease group. No difference in staining was found using other lectins (Canavalia ensiformis agglutinin, Ricinus communis agglutinin, Lens culinaris agglutinin). The measurement of WGA-reactive glycoproteins in CSF may be a useful biomarker for diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Fodero
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sáez-Valero
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Barquero
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marcos
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: McLean
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Small
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000175:diagnosis; D015415:Biomarkers; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006031:Glycosylation; D006801:Humans; D037102:Lectins / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008970:Molecular Weight; D037121:Plant Lectins; D014909:Wheat Germ Agglutinins / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004396:Coloring Agents; D037102:Lectins; D037121:Plant Lectins; C017707:Ricinus communis agglutinin-1; D014909:Wheat Germ Agglutinins; D003208:Concanavalin A