Serum amyloid P component-induced cell death in primary cultures of rat cerebral cortex.

The influence of serum amyloid P component (SAP) on the survival of rat cerebrocortical cultures was tested. Cytotoxic cell death was examined on 8-9-day-old cell cultures by phase contrast microscopy and quantified by the measurement of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage. SAP (16-48 nM) evoked a concentration-dependent cell death within 24 h exposure. Our results suggest that SAP, as a constituent of cerebral amyloid deposits, may play a role in the pathomechanism of Alzheimer's disease.