Proteins that signal amyloid changes in Alzheimer disease are found in PEX.

2003 SEP 4 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Proteins that signal amyloid changes in Alzheimer disease are found in PEX.

"The occurrence of inflammation with accompanying amyloid formation in pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) resembles other inflammation-associated amyloidoses such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). To test whether the same proteins can be identified in PEX as in AD, we qualitatively analyzed for Alzheimer's peptide (Abeta(1-42)) and the proteinase inhibitors alpha(1)-antichymotrypsin (ACT) and alpha(1)-antitrypsin (AAT) in the aqueous humor of patients with and without PEX material. Ninety aqueous humor samples were collected from patients in the age group between 46 and 95 during cataract surgery," scientists writing in the journal Documenta Ophthalmologica report.

"Protein profiles in samples were analyzed by electrophoresis followed by Western blotting. Blots were developed using specific antibodies against Abeta(1-42), AAT and ACT and peroxidase-conjugated IgG as a second antibody. At least one of the analyzed proteins was found in 68.8% of 90 cases studied," reported S. Janciauskiene and colleagues, Malmo University Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology.

"Abeta(1-42) peptide was found in 22.2% of all cases, among them in seven cases with PEX (total n=16) and in four with glaucoma (total n=10). ACT and AAT were detected in 17.8 and 28.9% of all cases, respectively. In ...