Researchers Recommend the Membrane Protein Flotillin as a Biomarker for Alzheimer’s Disease
|
By LabMedica International staff writers Posted on 12 Nov 2019 |
|
Image: Serum flotillin levels in patients with AD were lower than those in non-AD cases (Photo courtesy of Makoto Michikawa, Nagoya City University)
A team of Japanese researchers have suggested adding the protein flotillin to the arsenal of biomarkers that can be used to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease.
Flotillins are membrane proteins that form microdomains in the plasma membrane of all mammalian cell types studied to date. They span the evolutionary spectrum, with proteins related to flotillins present in bacteria, fungi, plants, and metazoans, which suggests that they perform important, and probably conserved, functions. Flotillins have been implicated in myriad processes that include endocytosis, signal transduction, and regulation of the cortical cytoskeleton, yet the molecular mechanisms that underlie flotillin function in these different cases are still poorly understood.
Investigators at Nagoya City University (Japan) had shown previously that flotillin release was reduced by amyloid beta (Abeta), a well known Alzheimer’s disease (AD) biomarker. Therefore, they designed the current study to determine whether flotillin levels would be reduced in the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) and/or serum of patients with AD.
For this study, the investigators used western blotting to analyze flotillin levels in the CSF and serum of non-AD controls and of patients with AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Flotillin levels in cerebroventricular fluid (CVF) and serum of AD, vascular dementia (VaD), and non-AD autopsy cases were also analyzed.
Results revealed that flotillin levels were significantly lower in the CSF and serum of AD patients compared with those of non-AD controls. Moreover, in patients with MCI due to AD, CSF and serum flotillin levels were significantly decreased compared with those of patients with MCI not due to AD. Flotillin levels remained unchanged in CVF and serum of autopsy cases diagnosed as VaD. Serum flotillin level was negatively associated with deposition of amyloid plaques in the brain.
The investigators postulated that these results, which were published in the October 29, 2019, online edition of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, demonstrated that serum flotillin level could serve as one of the blood markers for estimation of brain amyloid deposition and early diagnosis of AD.
Related Links:
Nagoya City University
Flotillins are membrane proteins that form microdomains in the plasma membrane of all mammalian cell types studied to date. They span the evolutionary spectrum, with proteins related to flotillins present in bacteria, fungi, plants, and metazoans, which suggests that they perform important, and probably conserved, functions. Flotillins have been implicated in myriad processes that include endocytosis, signal transduction, and regulation of the cortical cytoskeleton, yet the molecular mechanisms that underlie flotillin function in these different cases are still poorly understood.
Investigators at Nagoya City University (Japan) had shown previously that flotillin release was reduced by amyloid beta (Abeta), a well known Alzheimer’s disease (AD) biomarker. Therefore, they designed the current study to determine whether flotillin levels would be reduced in the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) and/or serum of patients with AD.
For this study, the investigators used western blotting to analyze flotillin levels in the CSF and serum of non-AD controls and of patients with AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Flotillin levels in cerebroventricular fluid (CVF) and serum of AD, vascular dementia (VaD), and non-AD autopsy cases were also analyzed.
Results revealed that flotillin levels were significantly lower in the CSF and serum of AD patients compared with those of non-AD controls. Moreover, in patients with MCI due to AD, CSF and serum flotillin levels were significantly decreased compared with those of patients with MCI not due to AD. Flotillin levels remained unchanged in CVF and serum of autopsy cases diagnosed as VaD. Serum flotillin level was negatively associated with deposition of amyloid plaques in the brain.
The investigators postulated that these results, which were published in the October 29, 2019, online edition of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, demonstrated that serum flotillin level could serve as one of the blood markers for estimation of brain amyloid deposition and early diagnosis of AD.
Related Links:
Nagoya City University
Platinum Member
Automated Coagulation Analyzer
Hemolumi H6
Gold Member
Aspiration System
VACUSAFE
POC Immunoassay Analyzer
Procise DX
New
Portable POCT Blood Gas Analyzer
BD100
Latest Molecular Diagnostics News
- Urine-Based RNA Improves Bladder Cancer Detection and Monitoring
- Blood RNA Panel Predicts Lung Cancer Risk Years Before Diagnosis
- Bile DNA Testing Detects Tumor Signals Before Conventional Cancer Diagnosis
- Blood-Based Test Broadens Colorectal Cancer Screening Options
- New Blood Test Could Help Predict Severe Scoliosis in Adolescents
- Single Assay Enables Simultaneous Newborn Screening for Three Severe Genetic Disorders
- Genetic Testing Identifies Inherited Predisposition in Children With Acute Leukemia
- Pooled Saliva PCR Screening Identifies Congenital CMV Missed by Targeted Testing
- Portable Test Differentiates Seven Mosquito-Borne Viruses at Point of Care
- Rapid Genetic Test Aims to Shorten Brain Tumor Diagnosis Time
- Long-Read Sequencing Test Identifies Genetic Causes in Inherited Muscle Disease
- Genetic Testing Program Helps Uncover Inherited Risk in Pediatric Cancer
- Genomic Test Guides Extended Endocrine Therapy in Early Breast Cancer
- Genomic Breast Cancer Study Adds Real-World Evidence Across Diverse Patient Populations
- New Oncology Assays Deliver Precise Molecular Counts with MRD-Grade Sensitivity
- Molecular Skin Test May Help Guide Treatment Selection in Atopic Dermatitis
Channels
Clinical Chemistry
view channel
Screening After Pneumococcal Disease May Reveal Undiagnosed Blood Cancer or Immune Disorders
Severe pneumococcal disease requiring hospitalization often presents as pneumonia, particularly in older adults and people with cancer or compromised immune function. Because M protein testing and antibody... Read more
Global Survey Underscores Need to Standardize Bone Biomarker Testing
Bone and mineral metabolism biomarkers can complement dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) by providing information on disease activity and treatment response. For more than 20 years, standardization... Read more
Label-Free Platform Combines Microfluidics and AI for Circulating Tumor Cell Analysis
Liquid biopsy relies on detecting rare tumor-derived material in blood, but circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are especially difficult to capture because they are vastly outnumbered by normal blood cells.... Read more
Rapid D-Dimer Assay Supports Exclusion and Monitoring of Serious Clotting Conditions
Blood clots can rapidly become life‑threatening and affect approximately 10 million people worldwide each year. During time‑sensitive evaluations, clinicians use D‑dimer testing to help rule out deep vein... Read moreHematology
view channel
New Donor Genetic Marker May Help Predict Stem Cell Transplant Success
Donor selection for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation plays a major role in relapse risk and survival for patients with blood cancers and other blood disorders. Despite advances in genotyping, uncertainty... Read more
Updated Ferritin Thresholds Improve Detection of Iron Deficiency
Iron deficiency is one of the most common health conditions worldwide, yet its nonspecific symptoms can delay diagnosis for months. Variation in testing practices and ferritin thresholds may contribute... Read more
Immunology
view channel
Blood Test Differentiates Bacterial and Viral Infections in Febrile Infants
Fever in infants younger than 3 months is treated as a medical emergency because infections can become life-threatening while the immune system is still developing. Emergency department teams must quickly... Read more
New Autoantibody Test Targets Pre-Symptomatic Type 1 Diabetes Screening
Type 1 diabetes is often first recognized only after substantial beta-cell destruction, sometimes presenting as diabetic ketoacidosis. Population-scale screening could identify children at elevated risk... Read more
Microbiology
view channel
FDA-Cleared Multiplex PCR Test Detects 13 Respiratory Pathogens in a Single Sample
Respiratory tract infections can be difficult to distinguish at presentation because many cause overlapping, nonspecific symptoms and are initially grouped as influenza-like illnesses. Causes span a range... Read more
One-Hour Molecular Panel Expands Bloodstream Infection Testing for Gram-Negative Pathogens
Bloodstream infections can progress rapidly and lead to sepsis, organ failure, and death. In the United States, about 1.7 million adults develop sepsis each year, and at least 350,000 die during hospitalization... Read more
FDA Clears Rapid Phenotypic Antimicrobial Susceptibility System for Positive Blood Cultures
Bloodstream infections require prompt treatment, but antimicrobial susceptibility results often lag behind a positive blood culture. Conventional testing can take another 24 to 48 hours after a culture... Read more
New Urine Test Expands Mycotoxin Analysis to 31 Markers for Broader Exposure Assessment
Clinical evaluation of mold exposure increasingly relies on urinary mycotoxin testing, but limited marker coverage and metabolite masking can make results more difficult to interpret. Broader analysis... Read morePathology
view channel
Genomic Classifier Predicts Benefit From Adding Hormone Therapy to Salvage Prostate Radiation
Men who have undergone prostatectomy for prostate cancer may later develop a detectable or rising prostate-specific antigen, prompting salvage radiation therapy. A key challenge is determining who is most... Read more
New AI Model Maps Where Glioblastoma Could Return After Surgery
Glioblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor in adults and the most lethal, with median survival of about 17 months after diagnosis. Even after surgeons remove all visible tumor and patients receive... Read more
Technology
view channel
Laser-Based Swab Analysis Shows Promise for Detecting Disease-Linked Odor Patterns
Disease-related changes in volatile organic compounds can alter body odor, producing measurable patterns in exhaled breath and bodily fluids. Current analytical methods can be complex, time-consuming,... Read more
Laser-Enhanced Assay Boosts Sensitivity for Colorectal Cancer Biomarker Detection
Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Early detection remains critical, but cancer biomarkers can produce only faint... Read more
Industry
view channel
Collaboration Combines AI Cognitive Assessment and RNA Blood Testing for Earlier Alzheimer’s Detection
Alzheimer’s disease is often identified only after substantial neurodegeneration, partly because current diagnostic pathways are fragmented and difficult to scale. As treatment shifts toward earlier intervention,... Read more
Mayo Clinic Laboratories and Pathology Asia Expand Genomic Testing Across Asia-Pacific
Mayo Clinic Laboratories and Pathology Asia Holdings (PAH), together with subsidiary LifeStrands Genomics, announced a strategic investment and collaboration focused on expanding access to advanced diagnostics... Read more
