Amyloid β peptides with an additional cysteine residue can enhance immunogenicity and reduce the amyloid β burden in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model

For the development of a safe vaccine for Alzheimer's disease (AD), we studied the immunogenicity of amyloid β (Aβ) peptides without adjuvant. Addition of a cysteine residue (Cys) to Aβ peptides enhanced immunogenicity in mice compared to those without Cys. Vaccination with the Aβ-Cys peptides reduced Aβ deposits in AD model mice. From these results, the Aβ-Cys peptides, administered without adjuvant, are considered candidates for vaccine therapy for AD.