Antibodies may neutralize Alzheimer's

Dec. 15, 2011 at 9:50 PM

TROY, N.Y., Dec. 15 (UPI) -- A simple process may make antibodies that neutralize the harmful protein particles that lead to Alzheimer's disease, U.S. researchers suggest.

Antibodies are large proteins produced by the immune system to combat infection and disease. They are comprised of a large Y-shaped protein topped with small peptide loops that bind to harmful invaders in the body, such as a viruses or bacteria.

Once an antibody is bound to its target, the immune system sends cells to destroy the invader, and finding the right antibody can determine the difference between death and recovery, Peter Tessier, assistant professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y., said.

Only a very specific combination of antibody loops will bind to and neutralize each target, and with billions of different possible loop arrangements and sequences it seems impossible to predict which antibody loops will bind to a specific target molecule, Tessier said.

In his research, he uses the same molecular interactions that cause the Alzheimer's proteins to stick together and form the toxic particles that are a hallmark of the disease.



In the long term, the findings might help develop new drugs to combat Alzheimer's disease, Tessier said.


Related UPI Stories
Latest Headlines