Generation of anti-beta-amyloid antibodies via phage display technology.

The EFRH sequence, found to be the main anti-aggregating epitope corresponding to amino acids 3-6 of beta-amyloid peptide (AbetaP), was displayed on a phage and used as an antigen for immunization of mice, guinea pigs and rabbits. The generated antibodies recognize the full-length AbetaP (1-40) and exhibit similar biological properties to antibodies raised against whole soluble peptide and/or fibrillar beta-amyloid. EFRH-phage immunization of a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease evokes antibodies able to dissolve already formed beta-amyloid plaques, suggesting that they could become a therapeutic approach in treatment of the disease.