Reduction of β-amyloid plaques in brain of transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease by EFRH-phage immunization

Antibodies to the epitope EFRH, representing residues 3-6 within the β-amyloid (Aβ) sequence, were previously shown to affect the solubility and disaggregation of Aβ fibrils in vitro. Here, we describe a novel method of immunization, using as antigen the EFRH peptide displayed on the surface of the filamentous phage. The EFRH phage evoked effective auto-immune antibodies in amyloid precursor protein [V717I] (APP[V717I]) transgenic mice that recapitulate the amyloid plaques and vascular pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The immunization provoked a considerable reduction in the number of Aβ amyloid plaques in the brain of the transgenic mice and may serve as the basis for anti-Aβ vaccine.