THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS OF LAMININ AND LAMININ-DERIVED PROTEIN FRAGMENTS

摘要

Laminin and specific laminin-derived protein fragments are disclosed as potent inhibitors of Alzheimer's disease type amyloidoses. A specific region is identified within laminin which interacts with the Alzheimer's disease beta-amyloid protein and contributes to the observed inhibitory and therapeutic effects. A prominent ~130 kilodalton band in laminin was found in human serum and cerebrospinal fluid which primarily interacted with Abeta as determined by ligand blotting methodology. This ~130 kilodalton laminin fragment is known as the E8 fragment and is also believed to consist of the globular domains of the laminin A chain. The interaction of specific laminin fragments such as the newly discovered ~130 kDa protein is believed to bind Abeta in biological fluids and keep it in a soluble state.