title: Generation of antibodies specific for beta-amyloid by vaccination of patients with Alzheimer disease.
abstract: To characterize antibodies produced in humans in response to Abeta42 vaccination, we carried out immunohistochemical examinations of the brains of both transgenic mice and human patients with beta-amyloid pathology. We collected sera from patients with Alzheimer disease who received a primary injection of pre-aggregated Abeta42 followed by one booster injection in a placebo-controlled study. Antibodies in immune sera recognized beta-amyloid plaques, diffuse Abeta deposits and vascular beta-amyloid in brain blood vessels. The antibodies did not cross-react with native full-length beta-amyloid precursor protein or its physiological derivatives, including soluble Abeta42. These findings indicate that vaccination of AD patients with Abeta42 induces antibodies that have a high degree of selectivity for the pathogenic target structures. Whether vaccination to produce antibodies against beta-amyloid will halt the cognitive decline in AD will depend upon clinical assessments over time.
authors.affiliation: Division of Psychiatry Research, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hock
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Konietzko
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Papassotiropoulos
authors.forename: Axel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wollmer
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Streffer
authors.forename: Ruth C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: von Rotz
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Davey
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moritz
authors.forename: Roger M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Nitsch
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D023582:Alzheimer Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D001483:Base Sequence; D003429:Cross Reactions; D017931:DNA Primers; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007106:Immune Sera; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic
chemical_list: D023582:Alzheimer Vaccines; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D000906:Antibodies; D017931:DNA Primers; D007106:Immune Sera