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Updated: Jun 23, 2025
A High Throughput, Multiplexed and Targeted Proteomic CSF Assay to Quantify Neurodegenerative Biomarkers and Apolipoprotein E Isoforms Status
Published on: October 20, 2016
Proteome profiling of cerebrospinal fluid using machine learning shows a unique protein signature associated with
Artur Shvetcov1, Shannon Thomson2,3, Ann-Na Cho4
1Department of Psychological Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital Network, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Introduction:
Proteome changes associated with APOE4 variant carriage that are independent of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology and diagnosis are unknown. This study investigated APOE4 proteome changes in people with AD, mild cognitive impairment, and no impairment.
Methods:
Clinical, APOE genotype, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) proteome and AD biomarker data was sourced from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database. Proteome profiling was done using supervised machine learning.
Results:
We found an APOE4-specific proteome signature that was independent of cognitive diagnosis and AD pathological biomarkers, and increased risk of progression to cognitive impairment. Proteins were enriched in brain regions including the caudate and cortex and cells including endothelial cells, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes. Enriched peripheral immune cells included T cells, macrophages, and B cells.
Discussion:
APOE4 carriers have a unique CSF proteome signature associated with a strong brain and peripheral immune and inflammatory phenotype that likely underlies APOE4 carriers' vulnerability to cognitive decline and AD.
