Development of a safe oral Aβ vaccine using recombinant adeno-associated virus vector for Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

A new oral vaccine for Alzheimer's disease was developed using recombinant adeno-associated virus vector carrying Aβ cDNA (AAV/Aβ). Oral administration of the vaccine without adjuvant induced the expression and secretion of Aβ1–43 or Aβ1–21 in the epithelial cell layer of the intestine in amyloid precursor protein transgenic mice. Serum antibody levels were elevated for more than six months, while T cell proliferative responses to Aβ was not detected. Brain Aβ burden was significantly decreased compared to the control without inflammatory changes. This oral AAV/Aβ vaccine seems to be promising for prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.