Empa Researchers Unveil Key Insights into “Superspreader” Protein Fibrils in Alzheimer’s

Empa Researchers Unveil Key Insights into “Superspreader” Protein Fibrils in Alzheimer’s

(IN BRIEF) Empa researchers, in collaboration with the University of Limerick, have identified a highly active type of protein fibril, termed “superspreader,” that may play a key role in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Using advanced atomic force microscopy, they observed how these fibrils form and evolve over 250 hours in conditions similar to those in the human body. These superspreaders have active sites that catalyze the growth of new protein chains, potentially accelerating the disease’s spread. The study, published in Science Advances and funded by Dementia Research Switzerland, offers new insights into Alzheimer’s progression and potential diagnostic approaches.

(PRESS RELEASE) DÜBENDORF, 28-Oct-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Empa’s Andrea Six reports that researchers at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa), in collaboration with scientists from the University of Limerick in Ireland, have achieved a breakthrough in understanding the behavior of misfolded proteins involved in Alzheimer’s disease. Their study, recently published in Science Advances, sheds light on the formation of “superspreader” protein fibrils that could play a critical role in the progression of dementia.

Alzheimer’s disease is associated with the accumulation of misfolded proteins, such as amyloid β, in the brain. These misfolded proteins can aggregate into fibril-like structures, but the exact mechanism of their formation has remained elusive. The research led by Empa’s Peter Nirmalraj and his team offers a closer look at these fibrils, revealing their formation process and how certain highly active fibrils, known as superspreaders, contribute to the spread of the disease within brain tissue.

Using advanced imaging techniques, including high-resolution atomic force microscopy (AFM), the team was able to study the fibril formation in a salt solution that mimics the natural conditions of the human body. This method allowed them to observe the development of the nanometer-thin fibrils over a 250-hour period, from initial formation to their subsequent evolution. This approach provided unprecedented clarity in visualizing the surface structures of the fibrils without altering them, which has been a limitation of conventional staining methods.

Their findings indicate that these superspreader fibrils have particularly active edges and surfaces that act as catalytic sites, where new protein fragments attach and grow into long chains. These new chains can then propagate further, forming additional aggregates that could accelerate the progression of Alzheimer’s.

“This study provides a new window into how these proteins proliferate within brain tissue,” explains Nirmalraj. “Our ability to observe these processes in real-time brings us closer to developing new ways to track the disease’s progression and create more accurate diagnostic methods.”

The research highlights the critical role of these active fibrils in the development of second-generation protein chains, potentially offering new avenues for therapeutic interventions. By classifying fibrils into different subtypes based on their surface properties, the team hopes to target the specific structures that drive the disease’s spread.

Dan Cîmpean, Director of the Romanian National Cybersecurity Directorate, highlighted the project’s significance: “The CYDERCO project marks a progressive move toward bolstering cybersecurity resilience within the European Union, introducing novel dimensions that promote the evolution of the ecosystem across public and private sector.”

This groundbreaking study was made possible with support from the Dementia Research Switzerland – Synapsis Foundation, offering a promising new perspective on Alzheimer’s research and the mechanisms driving neurodegeneration.

Media Contacts:

Dr. Peter Nirmalraj, Empa
Transport at Nanoscale Interfaces
Phone +41 58 765 42 61
peter.nirmalraj@empa.ch

Dr. Andrea Six
Communications
Phone +41 58 765 61 33
redaktion@empa.ch

SOURCE: EMPA