A mimotope of Aβ oligomers may also behave as a β-sheet inhibitor

Beta-amyloid (Aβ) oligomers are strongly associated with the cascade of harmful events leading to neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Elimination of Aβ oligomers or inhibition of Aβ assembly is a valuable therapeutic approach for the treatment of AD. Here, we obtained a mimotope of Aβ oligomers, AOEP2, by screening a peptide library using oligomer-specific antibodies. The antibodies induced by AOEP2 specifically recognize Aβ oligomers rather than monomers and fibrils. Interestingly, the AOEP2 peptide binds to Aβ monomers and inhibits the formation of Aβ oligomers and β-sheet structure, reduces Aβ42-induced neurotoxicity, and decreases the release of proinflammatory cytokines. Taken together, AOEP2, a novel multifunctional peptide directly or indirectly targeting Aβ, has promising therapeutic potential for AD.