Alzheimerās Disease (AD)
Accumulation of the amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimerās disease (AD) (Hardy J, Science 2000 et. al). Aβ peptides are the products of cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein (APP). The group of Prof. Yigong Shi has reported the three-dimensional structure of human γ-secretase, which cleave the APP results in aggregation of amyloid-β (Nature, 2014). Recently, the study emphasis of AD has shifted towards smaller oligomers, and increasing evidence indicates that intermediate Aβ oligomers are the toxic species (Joon Lee, Biochemistry, 2014).
Immunization against Aβ has offered a promising approach toward the therapeutic management of AD (Schenk D, Nat Rev Neurosci, 2002 ). In animal models of AD, both active and passive anti-Aβ immunotherapies improve cognitive function and clear the parenchymal accumulation of amyloid plaques in the brain (Janus C, et al. Nature 2000, Morgan D, et al. Nature 2000; Wilcock D M ,et al. 2004 & 2006).
Objective One: To develop a serial of monoclonal antibodies against amyloid-β Peptide including anti-N-terminus and anti-C-terminus of Aβ to detect the quantity of Aβ peptide in AD patients. Objective Two: To screen humanized antibodies for clinical trial of AD treatment.