A big step towards developing a vaccine against Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease: a vaccine is just around the corner
LifeSciencesToday based on the materials of Universite Laval: Major step towards an Alzheimer's vaccineScientists from Laval University, the CHU de Quebec Research Center and the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) have found a way to stimulate the natural defense mechanisms of the brain in Alzheimer's disease.
This major discovery, just published in the journal Proceeding of the National Academy of Sciences (Toll-like receptor 4 stimulation with the detoxified ligand monophosphoryl lipid A improves Alzheimer's disease-related pathology), paves the way for the development of effective treatments for Alzheimer's disease and a vaccine to prevent this disease.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia. One of the characteristic signs of this neurodegenerative disease is the synthesis in the brain of a toxic substance known as beta-amyloid. Microglial cells – the only representatives of the immune system in the central nervous system – are unable to eliminate this substance, which forms so-called beta-amyloid plaques in the intercellular space.
A group of scientists led by Dr. Serge Rivest, professor at the Faculty of Medicine at Laval University and a researcher at the CHU de Quebec Research Center, identified a molecule capable of stimulating the activity of microglial cells. The MPL molecule (monophosphoryl lipid A, monophosphoryl lipid A) has been widely used by GlaxoSmithKline for many years as an adjuvant (a substance that enhances the immune response when administered in parallel with an antigen) to vaccines and is recognized as completely safe.
Weekly injections of MPL (toll-like receptor 4 agonist) for twelve weeks resulted in the elimination of up to 80% of beta-amyloid plaques from the brains of mice with symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. In addition, tests conducted during the same period on the ability to solve new tasks for them showed a significant improvement in the cognitive abilities of animals.
Scientists see two possible directions in the use of MPL: a drug based on this compound can be administered intramuscularly to patients with Alzheimer's disease to slow the progression of the disease; included in the vaccine, it will stimulate the production of antibodies against toxic beta-amyloid.
"The vaccine can be administered to patients to stimulate natural immunity," explains Professor Rivet, "as well as to people with risk factors for developing Alzheimer's disease as a preventive measure."
"When our group started working on Alzheimer's disease ten years ago, our goal was to develop more effective methods of treating patients with this disease," the scientist concludes. "Now that we have made this discovery, I think we are close to our goal."
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