Acute effect on the Aβ isoform pattern in CSF in response to γ-secretase modulator and inhibitor treatment in dogs

J Alzheimers Dis. 2010;21(3):1005-12. doi: 10.3233/JAD-2010-100573.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) in the brain, which is reflected by low concentration of the Aβ(1-42) peptide in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The γ-secretase inhibitor LY450139 (semagacestat) lowers plasma Aβ(1-40) and Aβ(1-42) in a dose-dependent manner but has no clear effect on the CSF level of these isoforms. Less is known about the potent γ-secretase modulator E2012. Using targeted proteomics techniques, we recently identified several shorter Aβ isoforms in CSF, such as Aβ(1-16), which is produced by a novel pathway. In a Phase II clinical trial on AD patients, Aβ(1-14), Aβ(1-15) and Aβ(1-16) increased several-fold during γ-secretase inhibitor treatment. In the present study, 9 dogs were treated with a single dose of the γ-secretase modulator E2012, the γ-secretase inhibitor LY450139, or vehicle with a dosing interval of 1 week. The CSF Aβ isoform pattern was analyzed by immunoprecipitation combined with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. We show here that Aβ(1-15) and Aβ(1-16) increase while Aβ(1-34) decreases in response to treatment with the γ-secretase inhibitor LY450139, which is in agreement with previous studies. The isoform Aβ(1-37) was significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner in response to treatment with E2012, while Aβ(1-39), Aβ(1-40) and A(1-42) decreased. The data presented suggests that the γ-secretase modulator E-2012 alters the cleavage site preference of γ-secretase. The increase in Aβ(1-37) may inhibit Aβ(1-42) oligomerization and toxicity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alanine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Alanine / pharmacology
  • Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases / metabolism*
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Animals
  • Azepines / pharmacology*
  • Dogs
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Imidazoles / pharmacology*
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Peptide Fragments / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Piperidines / pharmacology*

Substances

  • 1-(1-(4-fluorophenyl)ethyl)-3-((3-methoxy-4-(4-methyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)phenyl)methylene)-2-piperidinone
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Azepines
  • Imidazoles
  • N2-((2S)-2-(3,5-difluorophenyl)-2-hydroxyethanoyl)-N1-((7S)-5-methyl-6-oxo-6,7-dihydro-5H-dibenzo(b,d)azepin-7-yl)-L-alaninamide
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Piperidines
  • Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases
  • Alanine