Production of anti-amyloid β antibodies in mice fed rice expressing amyloid β

Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2011;75(2):396-400. doi: 10.1271/bbb.100861. Epub 2011 Feb 7.

Abstract

The main signs of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are cognitive impairment and senile plaques composed of amyloid beta (Aβ) observed in patients' brains. Therefore, therapy for AD focuses on the removal of Aβ. We developed an "edible vaccine" that employs intestinal immunity with little to no side effects. Rice was utilized as an edible vaccine. It expressed GFP-Aβ42. Aβ rice was administered orally to wild-type (WT) mice causing production of anti-Aβ antibodies. Since Aβ rice was mixed with the cholera toxin B subunit (CTB), antibody against the rice seed protein was also produced. Then, mice were caused to develop immune tolerance against the rice seed protein by oral administration of Aβ rice mixed with CTB. The results indicated that only anti-Aβ antibodies were produced.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Alzheimer Disease / immunology
  • Alzheimer Disease / prevention & control
  • Alzheimer Disease / therapy
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / administration & dosage*
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / chemistry
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / genetics
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / immunology*
  • Animals
  • Antibodies / immunology*
  • Antibody Specificity / immunology
  • Epitope Mapping
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Oryza / genetics*
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / genetics
  • Th2 Cells / immunology
  • Vaccines, Edible / administration & dosage
  • Vaccines, Edible / chemistry
  • Vaccines, Edible / genetics
  • Vaccines, Edible / immunology*

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Antibodies
  • Vaccines, Edible