Monoclonal antibody to the C-terminus of β-amyloid

SOLUBLE amyloidβ-protein (Aβ) is normally produced, but forms deposits in the brain of Alzheimer's (AD) patients. The length of isolated Aβ in SDS-insoluble amyloid from AD brain is reported to vary between plaques and vessels ranging from 28 to 43, with major species being 40 and 42 residues. Because the Aβ C-terminus determines aggregation rates, we made an Aβ monoclonal antibody distinguishing β1–42 from β1–40. In AD cortex, the β1–42 antibody recognizes all the structures identified by monoclonal to β1–40 on adjacent sections: plaque cores, diffuse Aβ deposits and vascular amyloid. These antibodies help define variation in Aβ length between different deposits, regions and autopsied brains.