Inducing neurofibrillary tangles in transgenic mice expressing a mutant tau protein
US7550648B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 23, 2007 |
| Grant date | Jun 23, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 23, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01K2267/0318
- WIPO fieldBiotechnology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention discloses a method and an in-vivo assay system useful for the identification and testing of modulating agents as well as for the validation of therapies of neurodegenerative diseases associated with the formation of neurofibrillary tangles, in particular Alzheimer's disease. The present invention is based on the surprising finding that injection of β-amyloid Aβ42 fibrils into brains of P301L mutant tau transgenic mice caused several-fold increases in the numbers and an accelerated production of neurofibrillary tangles in cell bodies predominantly within the amygdala. The induced neurofibrillary tangles occurred as early as 18 days after Aβ42 injections and displayed striking features of neurofibrillary tangles of several human neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.