Alzheimer's disease: beta-amyloid precursor protein mRNA expression in mononuclear blood cells

Abstract

beta-Amyloid precursor protein (beta APP) mRNA was examined in peripheral mononuclear blood cells (PMBCs) in Alzheimer's disease, Down's syndrome and control subjects. Total RNA from PMBCs was reverse transcribed and then amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The 3 major beta APP transcripts were expressed in PMBCs from all subjects. These results suggest that PMBCs could be a circulating source for abnormal amyloid deposition in the brain and in peripheral tissues.