Immunological Origin and Functional Properties of Catalytic Autoantibodies to Amyloid β Peptide

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Chemical Immunology Research Center, University of Texas-Houston Medical School, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Journal of Clinical Immunology (Impact Factor: 3.18). 05/2010; 30 Suppl 1(S1):S43-9. DOI: 10.1007/s10875-010-9414-5
Source: PubMed


OBJECTIVES: Objectives The objectives of this study are to (1) evaluate the ability of the immune system to synthesize specific antibodies that catalyze the degradation of amyloid beta peptide (Abeta) and to (2) evaluate the prospect of developing a catalytic IVIG (CIVIG) formulation for therapy of Alzheimer's disease (AD). CONCLUSIONS: Polyclonal autoantibodies from humans without dementia hydrolyzed Abeta specifically. The catalytic activity improved as a function of age. Patients with AD produced catalytic antibodies at increased levels. IgM-class antibodies expressed the activity at levels superior to IgGs. Production of catalytic autoantibodies appears to be an innate immunity function with adaptive improvements occurring upon Abeta overexpression, which suggests a beneficial function of the catalytic activity. The catalytic autoantibodies impeded Abeta aggregation, dissolved preformed Abeta aggregates, and inhibited Abeta cytotoxicity in tissue culture. Recombinant catalytic antibodies from a human library have been identified, validating the phenomenon of antibody-catalyzed Abeta cleavage. As a single catalyst molecule inactivates multiple Abeta molecules, catalytic antibodies may clear Abeta efficiently. IVIG did not cleave Abeta, indicating the importance of purification procedures that maintain catalytic site integrity. Traditional Abeta-binding antibodies form immune complexes that can induce inflammatory reaction and vascular dysfunction. Catalysts do not form stable immune complexes, minimizing these risks. Criteria appropriate for developing a CIVIG formulation with potential therapeutic utility are discussed, including isolation of the Abeta-specific catalytic subsets present in IgM and IgG from human blood.

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Available from: Sudhir Paul, Oct 06, 2015
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    • "Differences in IgM auto-antibodies have been suggested as a potential diagnostic marker, as the levels of specific IgM auto-antibodies were lower in AD patients compared to controls [18]. Interestingly also a catalytic degradation of Aβ has been described from IgM autoantibodies [20], [55]. However, regarding OMAB no such effect could be noted, data not shown. "
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