Stabilized A-beta protofibrillar aggregates
OwnerRonald Wetzelinventor
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Abstract
Described and claimed herein are methods for producing chemically stabilized Aβ protofibrillar aggregates, and compositions made therefrom. Compositions produced are useful in facilitating detailed studies of Aβ protofibril structure, fibril formation, and progression of Aβ related diseases, e.g., Alzheimers disease. In addition, chemically stabilized protofibrillar structures can be used as tools to generate and/or screen for antibodies specific for protofibrils. Antibodies specific for protofibrils can be used as diagnostic tools or as therapeutics in the diagnosis or treatment of, e.g., Alzheimer's disease. Finally, chemically stabilized protofibrillar structures can be used in the preparation of therapeutic or prophylactic vaccines.
Claims29
A method for producing a stabilized Aβ protofibrillar aggregate comprising contacting a plurality of Aβ peptide with a stabilizing compound, wherein said stabilizing compound stabilizes a protofibrillar aggregate form of the peptide in comparison to the peptide not in contact with the stabilizing compound.
A compound comprising an Aβ protofibrillar aggregate stabilized by a stabilizing compound.
A pharmaceutical composition comprising the stabilized Aβ protofibrillar aggregate of claim
A method of screening for a stabilizing compound comprising contacting an Aβ peptide with a test compound and detecting the presence or absence of a stabilized Aβ protofibrillar aggregate, wherein the presence of the stabilized Aβ protofibrillar aggregate indicates that the test compound is a stabilizing compound.
A method of screening for a binding reagent specific for a stabilized Aβ protofibrillar aggregate, said method comprising contacting a test binding reagent with the stabilized Aβ protofibrillar aggregate and detecting the presence or absence of specific binding to the stabilized Aβ protofibrillar aggregate, wherein specific binding indicates the test binding reagent is a binding reagent specific for a stabilized Aβ protofibrillar aggregate.
A method of generating an immune response in an animal comprising administering an effective amount of a stabilized Aβ protofibrillar aggregate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.