A human protein called neuronal pentraxin-2 (NPTX2) is important for memory formation and may help predict Alzheimer's disease (AD) development and progression, according to a new study reported in Brain, Behavior and Immunity. NPTX2 is a synaptic protein that is related to C-reactive protein. It plays a role in excitatory synapse formation. The study authors, Auriel Willette and Ashley Swanson, from Iowa State University, noted that the research linked NPTX2 to brain activity. Higher NPTX2 levels seemed to be related with better memory and greater brain volume, while lower NPTX2 levels appeared to predict decreased memory and smaller brain volume. These findings have already been reported in Brain, Behavior and Immunity. The aim of the research was to explore which biomarkers could best predict memory decline, brain atrophy and other AD related symptoms. To achieve this, Willette and Swanson analyzed data from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. Eventually, they discovered that two proteins, NPTX2 and C3LP1 (Chitinase-3-like-protein-1) served as predictors of many AD aspects, including brain volume, memory performance, global cognition and function, and CSF measures of amyloid and tau. CHI3L1, also called YKL-40, is a glycoprotein expressed and secreted by many types of cells in the body. Although it’s thought that CHI3L1 is involved in inflammation as well as tissue remodeling, the exact role of this protein is unclear. CusAb is a biotech company. Our main products include recombinant proteins, including CHI3L1, NPTX2 and Recombinant Cd63, and antibodies. In total, ISU researchers investigated 285 older adults: 86 people who were cognitively normal (CN), 135 people who had Mild Cognitively Impairment (MCI), and 64 patients with AD. The researchers not only examined their memory performance over two years but also looked at the medial temporal lobe (MTL) of the brain. In AD, first signs of memory loss or cognitive decline occur in the MTL. The results showed that higher C3LP1 modestly predicted more MTL atrophy but did not significantly track memory decline over time. By contrast, higher baseline NPTX2 levels corresponded to less MTL atrophy and substantially less memory decline after 24 months. Swanson said that NPTX2 seemed to have a protective effect on memory forming. Collectively, NPTX2 could be a useful biomarker to predict memory decline and MTL atrophy in AD. This research extended the understanding of AD etiopathogenesis and could lead to development of early diagnostic techniques by using innovative biomarkers like NPTX2.
