Vaccination with (1-11)E2 in alum efficiently induces an antibody response to ß-amyloid without affecting brain ß-amyloid load and microglia activation in 3xTg mice.

Immunization against ß-amyloid (Aß) is pursued as a possible strategy for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In clinical trials, Aß 1-42 proved poorly immunogenic and caused severe adverse effects; therefore, safer and more immunogenic candidate vaccines are needed. Multimeric protein (1-11)E2 is able to induce an antibody response to Aß, immunological memory, and IL-4 production, with no concomitant anti-Aß T cell response. Antisera recognize Aß oligomers, protofibrils, and fibrils. In this study, we evaluated the effect of prophylactic immunization with three doses of (1-11)E2 in alum in the 3xTg mouse model of AD. Immunization with (1-11)E2 efficiently induced anti-Aß antibodies, but afforded no protection against Aß accumulation and neuroinflammation. The identification of the features of the anti-Aß immune response that correlate with the ability to prevent Aß accumulation remains an open problem that deserves further investigation.