The Dual Role of LRP1 in Generation and Clearance of Ab

Project Summary

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is caused by the increasing appearance of abnormal structures in the brain of AD patients, named senile plaques. These plaques consist mainly out of aggregates of a small peptide, Ab, which arises from cleavage from a larger protein. Ab is also present in the brain of healthy people, but for some reason the amount of Ab in the brain goes strongly up and it is deposited in the senile plaques in AD patients. It seems that the normal balance between production and breakdown of Ab, in scientific terms Ab metabolism, is disturbed. Recent scientific investigations revealed that a receptor, LRP1, present on the outside of the cells in the brain might be involved at the same time in both production and breakdown of Ab. Lately, the applicant of the research project generated mice and cells with a modified LRP1, which can be used to clarify the double role of LRP1 in Ab metabolism. It is the strong belief of the applicant that this scientific research will result in essential additional knowledge on the role of LRP1 in the balance of production and breakdown of Ab. This could eventually contribute to new approaches for a treatment for AD.