The amyloid precursor protein of Alzheimer disease in human brain and blood

Abstract

Studies of the metabolism and function of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and its proteolytic fragment Aβ in cultured cells, transgenic mice, and post-mortem brain tissue have advanced our understanding of Alzheimer disease (AD). However, the molecular pathogenesis of the disease is still not clear, and we are a long way from finding a cure for the disease. Studies carried out on human platelets and leukocytes have also helped shed light on APP and Aβ metabolism and function. Platelet and leukocyte APP isoforms are processed using mechanisms similar to those in neuronal cells to generate Aβ and soluble forms of APP. The activation of platelets and leukocytes leads to the secretion of APP..