The Amyloid-β Peptide in Amyloid Formation Processes: Interactions with Blood Proteins and Naturally Occurring Metal Ions

This review describes interactions between the amyloid- peptide (A) involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and endogenous metal ions and proteins, with an emphasis on future potential drug therapies and targets. AD is characterised by loss of neurons, memory, and cognitive functions, and by formation of cerebral senile plaque deposits. These plaques consist mainly of aggregated A peptides. AD pathology includes a) on the molecular level imbalanced concentrations of A peptides and metal ions, and formation of amyloid structures, and b) on the physiological level a combination of inflammatory responses and oxidative stress effects causing neuronal death. Interestingly, certain blood proteins and metal ions can affect the A amyloid aggregation process. These interactions are the topics of the present review. A deeper understanding of these interactions could facilitate new therapeutic strategies against AD. Previous therapeutic approaches and trials are also briefly described.