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Refining the amyloid β peptide and oligomer fingerprint ambiguities in Alzheimer’s disease: Mass spectrometric molecular characterization in brain, cerebrospinal fluid, blood, and plasma

Michno, W; Blennow, K; Zetterberg, H; Brinkmalm, G; (2021) Refining the amyloid β peptide and oligomer fingerprint ambiguities in Alzheimer’s disease: Mass spectrometric molecular characterization in brain, cerebrospinal fluid, blood, and plasma. Journal of Neurochemistry , 159 (2) pp. 234-257. 10.1111/jnc.15466. Green open access

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Abstract

Since its discovery, amyloid-β (Aβ) has been the principal target of investigation of in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Over the years however, no clear correlation was found between the Aβ plaque burden and location, and AD associated neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. Instead, diagnostic potential of specific Aβ peptides and/or their ratio, was established. For instance, a selective reduction of the concentration of the aggregation-prone 42 amino acid-long Aβ peptide (Aβ42) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was put forward as reflective of Aβ peptide aggregation in the brain. With time, Aβ oligomers - the proposed toxic Aβ intermediates - have emerged as potential drivers of synaptic dysfunction and neurodegeneration in the disease process. Oligomers are commonly agreed upon to come in different shapes and sizes, and are very poorly characterized when it comes to their composition and their "toxic" properties. The concept of structural polymorphism - a diversity in conformational organization of amyloid aggregates - that depends on the Aβ peptide backbone, makes characterization of Aβ aggregates and their role in AD progression challenging. In this review, we revisit the history of Aβ discovery and initial characterization and highlight the crucial role mass spectrometry (MS) has played in this process. We critically review the common knowledge gaps in the molecular identity of the Aβ peptide, and how MS is aiding characterization of higher order Aβ assemblies. Finally, we go on to presenting recent advances in MS approaches for characterization of Aβ as single peptides and oligomers, and convey our optimism, as to how MS holds a promise for paving the way for progress towards a more comprehensive understanding of Aβ in AD research.

Type: Article
Title: Refining the amyloid β peptide and oligomer fingerprint ambiguities in Alzheimer’s disease: Mass spectrometric molecular characterization in brain, cerebrospinal fluid, blood, and plasma
Location: England
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15466
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1111/jnc.15466
Language: English
Additional information: Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Journal of Neurochemistry published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society for Neurochemistry. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology > Neurodegenerative Diseases
URI: https://discovery-pp.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10131675
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