Specific Uptake of an Amyloid-β Protofibril-Binding Antibody-Tracer in AβPP Transgenic Mouse Brain

Evidence suggests that amyloid-β (Aβ) protofibrils/oligomers are pathogenic agents in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Unfortunately, techniques enabling quantitative estimates of these species in patients or patient samples are still rather limited. Here we describe the in vitro and ex vivo characteristics of a new antibody-based radioactive ligand, 125ImAb158, which binds to Aβ protofibrils with high affinity. 125ImAb158 was specifically taken up in brain of transgenic mice expressing amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP) as shown ex vivo. This was in contrast to 125ImAb-Ly128 which does not bind to Aβ. The uptake of intraperitoneally-administered 125ImAb158 into the brain was age- and time-dependent, and saturable in AβPP transgenic mice with modest Aβ deposition. Brain uptake was also found in young AβPP transgenic mice that were devoid of Aβ deposits, suggesting that 125ImAb158 targets soluble Aβ protofibrils. The radioligand was diffusely located in the parenchyma, sometimes around senile plaques and only occasionally colocalized with cerebral amyloid angiopathy. A refined iodine-124-labeled version of mAb158 with much improved blood-brain barrier passage and a shorter plasma half-life might be useful for PET imaging of Aβ protofibrils.