The neuroprotective effect of immune serum of adeno-associated virus vaccine containing Aβ1-15 gene on amyloid toxicity

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the effect of adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotype 2 vector vaccine containing amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) 1-15 gene fragment (AAV-Aβ15) immunized mice sera on counteracting Aβ1-42 peptide toxicity towards a primary culture cortical neurons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: BALB/c mice were vaccinated via the intramuscular immunization route with AAV-Aβ15. The anti-Aβ antibody titer of immunized mice sera was quantified by sandwich Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay. The toxicity of Aβ1-42 peptide on neurons was assessed by morphology with an inverse microscopy and cell viability was determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. RESULTS: AAV-Aβ15 could induce an Aβ-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) humoral immune response in /c mice the anti-Aβ antibodies were detectable at 1 month after immunization, significantly increased at 2 and 4 months after immunization, and the immunized sera could attenuate cytotoxicity of Aβ1-42 peptide on primary culture cortical neurons. CONCLUSIONS: The immune serum of AAV-Aβ15 could play a neuroprotective effect against Aβ1-42 peptide toxicity, which would be beneficial for Alzheimer's disease patients.