Dendrimeric Abeta1-15 is an effective immunogen in wildtype and APP-tg mice

Neurobiol Aging. 2007 Jun;28(6):813-23. doi: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2006.04.007. Epub 2006 May 24.

Abstract

Immunization of humans and APP-tg mice with full-length beta-amyloid (Abeta) results in reduced cerebral Abeta levels. However, due to adverse events in the AN1792 trial, alternative vaccines are required. We investigated dendrimeric Abeta1-15 (dAbeta1-15), which is composed of 16 copies of Abeta1-15 peptide on a branched lysine core and thus, includes an Abeta-specific B cell epitope but lacks the reported T cell epitope. Immunization by subcutaneous, transcutaneous, and intranasal routes of B6D2F1 wildtype mice led to anti-Abeta antibody production. Antibody isotypes were mainly IgG1 for subcutaneous or transcutaneous immunization and IgG2b for intranasal immunization, suggestive of a Th2-biased response. All Abeta antibodies preferentially recognized an epitope in Abeta1-7. Intranasal immunization of J20 APP-tg mice resulted in a robust humoral immune response with a corresponding significant reduction in cerebral plaque burden. Splenocyte proliferation against Abeta peptide was minimal indicating the lack of an Abeta-specific cellular immune response. Anti-Abeta antibodies bound monomeric, oligomeric, and fibrillar Abeta. Our data suggest that dAbeta1-15 may be an effective and potentially safer immunogen for Alzheimer's disease (AD) vaccination.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Cutaneous
  • Administration, Intranasal
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / administration & dosage
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / immunology*
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / genetics*
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Antibodies / blood
  • Antibody Specificity
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / methods
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / immunology
  • Hippocampus / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Peptide Fragments / administration & dosage
  • Peptide Fragments / immunology*
  • Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Vaccines / immunology*

Substances

  • AN-1792
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor
  • Antibodies
  • Cytokines
  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Vaccines
  • amyloid beta-protein (1-15)