Cited by 108Alzheimer's disease research and treatmentsNeuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration MechanismsDementia and Cognitive Impairment Research

Role of the Immune System in the Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of Alzheimer??s Disease

Blasko, Imrich, Grubeck-Loebenstein, Beatrix·2003·Drugs & Aging

Abstract

The dysregulation in the metabolism of beta-amyloid precursor protein and consequent deposition of amyloid-beta (Abeta) has been envisaged as crucial for the development of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Amyloid deposition begins 10-20 years before the appearance of clinical dementia. During this time, the brain is confronted with increasing amounts of toxic Abeta peptides and data from the last decade intriguingly suggest that both the innate and the adaptive immune systems may play an important role in the disorder. Innate immunity in the brain is mainly represented by microglial cells, which phagocytose and degrade Abeta. As the catabolism of Abeta decreases, glial cells become overstimulated and start to produce substances that are toxic to neurons, such as nitric oxide and inflammatory proteins. Pro-inflammatory cytokines can be directly toxic or stimulate Abeta production and increase its cytotoxicity. A therapeutic possibility arises from clinical studies, which demonstrate that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may delay the onset and slow the progression of AD. Recent data show that in addition to the suppression of inflammatory processes in the brain NSAIDs may decrease the production of Abeta peptides. The role of adaptive immunity lies mainly in the fact that Abeta can be recognised as an antigen. Immunisation with Abeta peptides and peripheral administration of Abeta-specific antibodies both decrease senile plaques and cognitive dysfunction in murine models of AD. A recent trial in humans seems still to be hampered by adverse effects. As adaptive immunity decreases with aging while innate immunity remains intact, immunotherapy for AD will have to be adapted to this situation. Strategies that combine vaccination and inflammatory drug treatment could be considered.

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Crossref · 10.2165/00002512-200320020-00002

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Authors
Blasko, I., & Grubeck-Loebenstein, B.
Affiliations
Universität Innsbruck (AT)
Venue
Drugs & Aging
Published
2003
Volume
20
Issue
2
Pages
101-113
ISSN
1170-229X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W1999271158
Cited by
108
References
87
Citations by year
2024: 4 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 2
FWCI
1.19
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Drugs & Aging (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Alzheimer's disease research and treatments
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
Keywords
Alzheimer's disease, immune system, amyloid-beta, microglia, innate immunity, adaptive immunity, neuroinflammation, inflammatory cytokines, nitric oxide, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-amyloid antibodies, immunotherapy, neurodegeneration, amyloid plaques
MeSH terms
Alzheimer Disease, Animals, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal, Antibodies, Brain, Disease Models, Animal, Humans, Immunity, Innate, Immunotherapy, Peptide Fragments, Amyloid beta-Peptides, Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors

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