Beta-secretase is the first cleavage enzyme of amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP) in the amyloidogenic pathway, leading to the formation of the plaque forming Amyloid-β (Aβ)1-42 peptide. BACE (beta-site AβPP cleaving enzyme) 1 inhibition is therefore considered to be a promising disease modifying therapy for Alzheimer's disease. An early assessment of the in vivo activity of BACE inhibitors was done in dogs since AβPP processing is the same as in humans and this species easily enables longitudinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sampling. Aβ changes in CSF compared to baseline are used to evaluate target engagement of the compounds. Levels of Aβ1-37, Aβ1-38, Aβ1-40, and Aβ1-42 in CSF are measured with immunoassay (Mesoscale electrochemiluminescence technology) and with an ultra high-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Two experimental BACE inhibitors were evaluated. With the immunoassay, a dose dependent decrease is observed for all four Aβ peptides. Measurements with the UPLC-MS/MS are in line with the immunoassay for Aβ1-37, Aβ1-38, and Aβ1-40, however, for Aβ1-42, differences are sometimes observed when comparing to changes seen in the other peptides with UPLC-MS/MS and with immunoassay results. Generally lower concentrations are measured with immunoassay. The reason for these differences is still unknown. Aβ1-42 is more prone to form aggregates compared to the other peptides. One hypothesis could be that while the immunoassay only measures free Aβ, bound and aggregated Aβ peptides are at least partially dissolved with the UPLC-MS/MS method, since acetonitrile is added to the CSF samples. This increases variability in the concentration of Aβ peptide measured with UPLC-MS/MS, especially for Aβ1-42, potentially masking the compound effect on Aβ1-42 levels.
Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; amyloid-β peptides; cerebrospinal fluid; dog; β-secretase.