AMYLOID BETA-PROTEIN PRECURSOR AND APOLIPOPROTEIN-E PRODUCTION IN CULTURED CEREBRAL ENDOTHELIAL-CELLS ISOLATED FROM BRAINS OF PATIENTS WITHNEURODEGENERATIVE DISORDERS AT AUTOPSY

Primary cultures of cerebral endothelial cells were established from m icrovessels isolated from the autopsied brains of patients afflicted w ith neurodegenerative disorders. These cultures were able to prolifera te and retain cerebral endothelial cell characteristics. Doubling time for the cultured cells was between 1.5 and 2 days. Cells stained posi tive for the cerebral endothelial cell marker Factor VIII antigen and formed tight functions. We also demonstrate that these cells produce t he A beta protein precursor (A beta PP) and secrete apolipoprotein E ( apoE). Utilizing this system it will be possible to analyze whether A beta PP production in cerebral endothelial cells is altered in Alzheim er's disease.