The researchers plan to cross two lines of transgenic mice to produce a new mouse model for Alzheimer's disease. Mice carrying the human genes for MHC I and MHC II (major histocompatibility molecules I and II), provided by Dr. Weiner's lab, will be mated with the transgenic Alzheimer's mice developed at USF. MHCI and MHCII, present on the surface of cells, are important in helping the body to recognize certain foreign substances, or antigens, as harmful. "The resulting offspring will be mice expected to respond to the anti-Alzheimer's vaccine with more human-like immune reactions," Dr. Ugen said.
The researchers will inject the mice bred to develop age-related neurodegeneration with the anti-Alzheimer's vaccine, which contains as its antigen a synthetic version of beta amyloid, the protein that builds up in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. Then, they will analyze the responses of immune cells to the vaccine. They will look for harmful side effects and, in particular, study the role of cellular immunity in any beneficial effects from the vaccine.
Vaccines traditionally protect against viruses or bacteria that invade the body from outside sources. The anti-Alzheimer's vaccine works by triggering the immune system to recognize beta amyloid a protein made by the body as a foreign invader and attack it.
"We're dealing here with the new use of a vaccine to fight a chronic neurodegenerative disease," said Dr. Morgan, a co-investigator for the study.
"It is still unclear whether the cellular immune response to the va
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Contact: Anne DeLotto Baier
abaier@hsc.usf.edu
813-974-3300
University of South Florida Health
25-Oct-2001