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The immune system, amyloid‐β peptide, and Alzheimer's disease
Author(s) -
Weksler Marc E.,
Gouras Gunnar,
Relkin Norman R.,
Szabo Paul
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
immunological reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.839
H-Index - 223
eISSN - 1600-065X
pISSN - 0105-2896
DOI - 10.1111/j.0105-2896.2005.00264.x
Subject(s) - disease , immunotherapy , amyloid (mycology) , alzheimer's disease , immune system , immunology , peptide , medicine , p3 peptide , antibody , amyloid precursor protein , biology , pathology , biochemistry
Summary: In this review, the case is made that amyloid‐β peptide in the brain of patients with Alzheimer's disease is a primary cause of the disease and that immunotherapy directed against this peptide has the potential to halt and/or reverse disease progression. This supposition is supported by the capacity of anti‐β‐amyloid peptide antibodies to prevent or reverse the disease in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, preliminary results obtained in a small number of patients with Alzheimer's disease are consistent with the observations made in the mouse model of this disease. We review the relationship between the immune system, amyloid‐β peptide, and Alzheimer's disease and the progress made in applying immunotherapy to patients with Alzheimer's disease.