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Antigenic expression of cathepsin B in aged human brain
H G Bernstein1, H Kirschke, B Wiederanders
1Institute of Anatomy, Medical Academy Magdeburg, GDR.
Brain Research Bulletin
|April 1, 1990
Summary
Cathepsin B, a lysosomal enzyme, was found in various brain regions of aging humans and in Alzheimer
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Pathology
Background:
- Cathepsin B is a lysosomal thiol proteinase.
- Its role in the aging human brain and Alzheimer's disease is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To localize cathepsin B in different regions of the aged human brain.
- To investigate the presence of cathepsin B in Alzheimer's disease brains.
Main Methods:
- Peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique for immunohistochemical localization.
- Analysis of human brain tissue samples from aged individuals and Alzheimer's disease patients.
Main Results:
- Cathepsin B was detected in neurons of the hippocampus, neocortex (area A10), prefrontal gyrus, and nucleus basalis of Meynert in aged brains.
- It was also found in single white matter astrocytes.
- In Alzheimer's disease brains, cathepsin B was present in neuritic plaques.
Conclusions:
- Cathepsin B is widely distributed in the aged human brain.
- Its presence in neuritic plaques suggests a potential role in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis.
- Further research is needed to elucidate its functional consequences in aging and neurodegeneration.