Anti-Aβ Drug Screening Platform Using Human iPS Cell-Derived Neurons for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease
2011

Anti-Aβ Drug Screening Using Human iPS Cell-Derived Neurons for Alzheimer's Disease

publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Yahata Naoki, Asai Masashi, Kitaoka Shiho, Takahashi Kazutoshi, Asaka Isao, Hioki Hiroyuki, Kaneko Takeshi, Maruyama Kei, Saido Takaomi C., Nakahata Tatsutoshi, Asada Takashi, Yamanaka Shinya, Iwata Nobuhisa, Inoue Haruhisa

Primary Institution: Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

Hypothesis

Can human iPS cell-derived neuronal cells be used to model Alzheimer's disease and screen for anti-Aβ drugs?

Conclusion

The study shows that hiPS cell-derived neuronal cells express functional secretases involved in Aβ production, making them suitable for drug screening.

Supporting Evidence

  • hiPS cell-derived neuronal cells express functional β- and γ-secretases involved in Aβ production.
  • Aβ production was inhibited by β-secretase and γ-secretase inhibitors.
  • Different susceptibilities to drugs were observed between early and late differentiation stages.

Takeaway

Scientists created brain cells from special stem cells to study Alzheimer's disease and test new medicines that might help treat it.

Methodology

Human iPS cells were differentiated into neuronal cells, which were then tested for Aβ production and response to secretase inhibitors.

Limitations

The study primarily focuses on specific differentiation stages and may not represent all aspects of Alzheimer's pathology.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0025788

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