Autocatalytic amplification of Alzheimer-associated Aß42 peptide aggregation in human cerebrospinal fluid.

ABSTRACT

Alzheimer's disease is linked to amyloid ß (Aß) peptide aggregation in the brain, and a detailed understanding of the molecular mechanism of Aß aggregation may lead to improved diagnostics and therapeutics. While previous studies have been performed in pure buffer, we approach the mechanism in vivo using cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). We investigated the aggregation mechanism of Aß42 in human CSF through kinetic experiments at several Aß42 monomer concentrations (0.8-10 µM). The data were subjected to global kinetic analysis and found consistent with an aggregation mechanism involving secondary nucleation of monomers on the fibril surface. A mechanism only including primary nucleation was ruled out. We find that the aggregation process is composed of the same microscopic steps in CSF as in pure buffer, but the rate constant of secondary nucleation is decreased. Most importantly, the autocatalytic amplification of aggregate number through catalysis on the fibril surface is prevalent also in CSF.