Amyloid β Protein (Aβ) Starts to Deposit As Plasma Membrane-Bound Form in Diffuse Plaques of Brains from Hereditary Cerebral Hemorrhage with Amyloidosis-Dutch Type, Alzheimer Disease and Nondemented Aged Subjects

• Published in: Journal of neuropathology and experimental neurology 2000-08, Vol.59 (8), p.723-732
• Main Authors: YAMAGUCHI, HARUYASU, MAAT-SCHIEMAN, MARION L. C, VAN DUINEN, SJOERD G, PRINS, FRANS A, NEESKENS, PETER, NATTÉ, REMCO, ROOS, RAYMUND A. C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Advertising executives; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Alzheimer Disease - metabolism; Alzheimer Disease - pathology; Alzheimer's disease; Amyloid beta-Peptides - metabolism; Amyloidosis; Amyloidosis - complications; Amyloidosis - pathology; Biological and medical sciences; Brain; Brain - metabolism; Brain - pathology; Cell Membrane - metabolism; Cell membranes; Cerebellum - pathology; Cerebral Hemorrhage - complications; Cerebral Hemorrhage - genetics; Cerebral Hemorrhage - metabolism; Cerebral Hemorrhage - pathology; Degenerative and inherited degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Leukodystrophies. Prion diseases; Frontal Lobe - pathology; Gold; Hemorrhage; Humans; Medical sciences; Microscopy, Electron; Middle Aged; Neurology; Plaque, Amyloid - metabolism; Plaque, Amyloid - pathology; Reference Values
• ISSN: 0022-3069; 1554-6578
• DOI: 10.1093/jnen/59.8.723

To clarify where and how β-amyloid begins to deposit in senile plaques, we examined the ultrastructural localization of amyloid β protein (Aβ) in diffuse plaques of brains with hereditary cerebral hemorrhage with amyloidosis-Dutch type, Alzheimer disease (AD), and from nondemented aged subjects. Serial ultrathin sections of osmium-plastic blocks were immunogold-labeled for Aβx-42 (Aβ42), and sections on grids were observed under the electron microscope (EM) after observing the exact localization of the diffuse plaques in sections on glass slides by the reflection contrast microscope. Aβ42 deposition, which was decollated with gold particles, appeared in 3 forms in all subjects under the EM1) Scattered small bundles of amyloid fibrils between cell processes, frequently seen in the densely stained area of diffuse plaques. 2) Scattered small foci of nonfibrillar materials between cell processes as a relatively minor form. 3) Aβ42 on a part of the cell surface plasma membrane of normal appearing cell processes, a major form in weakly immunostained areas. The last form was not associated with degenerative neurites or reactive glia. Aβ42 deposition on the cell surface plasma membrane appears to be an initial event in diffuse plaques, and then it develops into amorphous/fibrillar amyloid between cell processes.