Plaque array method and proteomics-based identification of biomarkers from Alzheimer's disease serum

Progressive accumulation of amyloid plaques in the regions of brain, carotid and cerebral arteries is the leading cause of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementia in affected patients. The early identification of individuals with AD remains a challenging task relying on symptomatic events and thus the development of a biomarker-based approach will significantly aid in the diagnosis of AD.

Here we describe a flow cytometer-based serum biomarker identification method using plaque particles, and applying mass spectrometry based proteomic analysis of the isolated plaque particles for the identification of serum proteins present in the plaque particles.

We identified 195 serum proteins that participate in the process of plaque particle formation. Among the 195 proteins identified, 68.2% of them overlapped in abeta-42, cholesterol, tau-275 and α-synuclein plaque particles. Significantly, 22.5% of the proteins identified as bound to abeta-42 plaque particles generated in AD serum were unique when compared with cholesterol, α-synuclein and tau plaque particles. In age-matched control experiments, 15% of them showed in vitro insoluble abeta-42 particle formation and 59% of the identified plaque particle constituents from AD serum were also present in the insoluble plaque particles derived from control.

We have developed an in vitro method for plaque particle detection and identified serum protein markers that are associated with AD-related plaque particle formation. With further clinical validation, this assay may provide a novel, non-invasive means for the early detection of AD.