MP Biomedicals Introduces All-Inclusive Alzheimer's Research Kit
SANTA ANA, CA--(Marketwire - November 05, 2007) -
Neuro-immunology research tool could be used to screen for
Alzheimer's disease immunotherapeutics, which improve macrophage
beta-amyloid uptake ability.
-- Alzheimer's Research Kit is an all-inclusive macrophages beta-amyloid
uptake assay kit developed for neuroimmunological research and
immunostimulant drug screening.
-- Pioneering the ability to test for Alzheimer's disease through a
simple blood test, the Alzheimer's Research Kit is the first blood cell-
based research assay that measures the ability of the human immune system
to rid itself of amyloid beta.
-- MP Biomedicals' neuro-immunological research tool could help
researchers, neuroscientists and pharmaceutical companies predict and/or
stave off Alzheimer's disease.
MP Biomedicals LLC today announced the availability of an Alzheimer's
Research Kit. This cell-based, patent-pending assay, which measures
macrophage beta-amyloid uptake, is suited for Alzheimer's research
diagnostical and neuro-immunological studies, and could help screen
candidates for Alzheimer's or neuro-immunostimulant drug therapies in
the future. MP Biomedicals will debut its Alzheimer's Research Kit
today and tomorrow at Neuroscience 2007 in San Diego (Booth 417).
Alzheimer's is a progressive and fatal brain disease affecting more
than 5 million Americans, according to the Alzheimer's Association.
Alzheimer's destroys brain cells, causing debilitating problems with
memory, thinking and behavior. Today it is the seventh-leading cause
of death in the United States.
"The human brain is an intricate network of more than 100 billion
neurons, or nerve cells, that help control thinking, learning,
remembering, physical movement, sensory experiences -- such as
seeing, hearing and smelling -- and more," said Mike McLean, vice
president, diagnostics worldwide, MP Biomedicals. "Alzheimer's
disease damages these nerve cells, which eventually die. MP
Biomedicals has taken an active stance in creating a diagnostic assay
based on the breakthrough research developed and conducted by Dr.
Milan Fiala, which concludes that we can enhance the ability of the
immune system to clear beta-amyloid deposits in the brain that hasten
the progression Alzheimer's disease in patients."
"The MP Biomedicals Alzheimer's Research Kit is excellent for testing
new immuno-enhancing drug candidates for fighting Alzheimer's
disease. Some of the new drug candidates that were tested include
curcuminoid and insulin-like growth factor-1, and have provided
superb results that are persuasive in some Alzheimer's disease
patients," said Dr. Fiala, researcher at the University of
California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Dr. Fiala will be available to discuss the attributes of the Research
Kit at Neuroscience 2007 on Monday, Nov. 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
in the MP Biomedicals booth (# 417).
From blood sample to diagnosis in four steps, the Neuro-Immunology
Research Kit could determine if a patient displays markers indicating
Alzheimer's disease. After obtaining a patient's blood sample, labs
can isolate and then culture the macrophages. The laboratory then
adds labeled beta-amyloid to the specimen and incubates it overnight
in a humidified carbon dioxide incubator. The final step is to stain
the cells and observe results with fluorescence or confocal
microscope and render a diagnosis.
Two abnormal structures called plaques and tangles are prime suspects
in damaging and killing nerve cells. Plaques build up between nerve
cells, depositing a protein fragment, called beta-amyloid. Tangles
are twisted fibers of another protein, called tau. Tangles form
inside dying cells. With Alzheimer's, the plaques and tangles tend to
form in a predictable pattern, beginning in areas important in
learning and memory and then spreading to other regions. The MP
Biomedicals Neuro-Immunology Research Kit helps clinicians measure
the ability of the immune system to clear beta-amyloid.
"Macrophages of Alzheimer's patients do not clear amyloid beta by
ingesting and digesting it (a process called phagocytosis), but only
retain it on the cell surface. In a healthy subject, macrophages
successfully 'eat up' amyloid beta fragments by phagocytosis into
intracellular locations, such as endosomes and lysosomes. Our
research kit, for the first time, allows researchers, using common
laboratory equipment, to examine the details of phagocytosis of
amyloid beta in order to screen for Alzheimer's disease, or to screen
for potential increases in the macrophages' ability to 'attack'
amyloid beta after exposure to a potential drugs candidate," said Dr.
Miodrag Micic, vice president, research and development, MP
Biomedicals.
Clinicians may add the Neuro-Immunology Research Kit to their
laboratories today by ordering a trial kit from MP Biomedicals by
calling (800) 854-0530 or visiting www.mpbio.com.
About MP Biomedicals LLC
MP Biomedicals is a worldwide corporation, with headquarters in Santa
Ana, Calif., and regional offices in Europe, Asia and Australia. The
company manufactures and sells more than 55,000 products. One of the
only companies in the industry to offer a comprehensive line of life
science, fine chemical and diagnostic products, the organization
maintains a vast network of global distributors with ISO-certified
diagnostics products facilities in Solon, Ohio, Burlingame, Calif.
and Singapore, as well a distribution center in Strasbourg, France.
Media Contact:
Sally Cohen or Theresa Dreike
WunderMarx Inc. for MP Biomedicals LLC
714-862-1112
sally.cohen@wundermarx.com
theresa.dreike@wundermarx.com
