We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
INTEGRA BIOSCIENCES AG

Download Mobile App




Events

09 Apr 2024 - 12 Apr 2024
15 Apr 2024 - 17 Apr 2024
23 Apr 2024 - 26 Apr 2024

Early Plasma Biomarkers Discovered for Alzheimer's Disease

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 10 Feb 2021
Print article
Image: The NanoSight NS300 Instrument provides an easy-to-use, reproducible platform for nanoparticle characterization (Photo courtesy of Malvern Panalytical Instruments).
Image: The NanoSight NS300 Instrument provides an easy-to-use, reproducible platform for nanoparticle characterization (Photo courtesy of Malvern Panalytical Instruments).
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the predominant form of dementia and the most common neurodegenerative disorder. Advanced age and the presence of the ε4 allele of the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) are the most relevant late‐onset sporadic AD‐promoting factors as they interact with the core mechanisms of this neurologic disorder.

ApoE is essential to modulate cerebral lipid homeostasis and neurogenesis with the ApoE4 isoform promoting less efficiently the transport of essential lipids to neurons. In addition, proteolytic degradation of the amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide is compromised in APOE ε4 carriers, thus increasing amyloidosis and the risk of progression to AD.

Medical Scientists from the Institut National De La Recherche Scientifique (Laval, QC, Canada) analyzed blood samples collected as part of the Canadian Study of Health and Aging (CSHA). The population studied consisted of patients with cognitive problems, but not suffering from dementia, and only some of whom developed Alzheimer's disease. The team determined levels of pathogenic, neurotrophic and inflammatory proteins in peripheral extracellular vesicles (pEVs) and in plasma from cognitively impaired, no dementia (CIND) participants stratified upon the absence (APOE ε4‐) or the presence (APOE ε4+ ) of the ε4 allele of APOE.

The scientists used the following methods to determine the results: various pEVs suspensions were diluted in ultra‐pure filtered water (1:1000) and injected into the NanoSight NS300 system (Malvern Panalytical instruments, Inc., Malvern, UK); Western blot analysis; Dual immune‐labeling of pEVs with image analysis was performed using the Zeiss LSM780 laser scanning confocal microscope (Zeiss, Jena, Germany). The pEVs’ protein content of BDNF, APP, NSE, NPTX‐2, α‐Syn, DJ‐1, MMP‐9, S100B, PrGN, LCN‐2, and ANGPTL‐4 was determined by the multiplex Luminex assay and the accumulation of the protein fragments Aβ1‐40, Aβ1‐42 and different forms of the protein tau (t‐tau and p‐tau181) were evaluated by another Luminex assay (Luminex Corporation, Austin, TX, USA).

The scientists reported that levels of neurotrophic and inflammatory markers were reduced in pEVs from APOE ε4+. The pentraxin‐2/α‐synuclein ratio measured in pEVs was able to predict AD five years before the onset among APOE ε4+‐CIND individuals. Patients with this gene who developed the disease five years later had markers present that varied with the progression of the disease. The presence of APOE ε4 does not impact on the levels of Aβ1‐42, t‐tau, and p‐tau181, and the ratio Aβ1‐42/p‐tau181 in pEVs. The profile of inflammatory and trophic factors measured in CIND patients showed that APOE ε4 is associated with lower levels of neurotrophic markers such as DJ‐1, PrGN, and α‐Syn, with a higher discriminating capacity in pEVs compared to plasma except for α‐Syn.

The authors concluded that their study provided comprehensive insight and enhanced the knowledge of the emerging role of APOE ε4 in abnormal pEVs cargo proteins processing and the identification of blood‐based biomarkers. The measurement of ratio between NPTX‐2 and α‐Syn in pEVs might be an innovative strategy for monitoring the conversion of CIND patients to AD. The study was published on January 28, 2021 in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions.

Related Links:
Institut National De La Recherche Scientifique
Malvern Panalytical Instruments, Inc
Zeiss
Luminex Corporation


Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
HLX
Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Test
GPP-100 Anti-CCP Kit
New
Gold Member
Systemic Autoimmune Testing Assay
BioPlex 2200 ANA Screen with MDSS

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The low-cost portable device rapidly identifies chemotherapy patients at risk of sepsis (Photo courtesy of 52North Health)

POC Finger-Prick Blood Test Determines Risk of Neutropenic Sepsis in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Neutropenia, a decrease in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections), is a frequent side effect of certain cancer treatments. This condition elevates the risk of infections,... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The medical office procedure detects the key biomarker in Parkinson’s and related neurodegenerative diseases (Photo courtesy of BIDMC)

Simple Skin Biopsy Test Detects Parkinson’s and Related Neurodegenerative Diseases

Parkinson's disease and a group of related neurodegenerative disorders known as synucleinopathies impact millions globally. These conditions, including Parkinson’s disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.