ULTRASTRUCTURAL STUDIES ON THE INTERACTION OF BETA-AMYLOID PEPTIDE AND MOUSE NEUROBLASTOMA-CELLS NB41A3

NB41A3 cells were used to investigate the effects of binding of a synt hetic beta-amyloid peptide, beta 1-40, to cellular membranes. Using a relatively low concentration of beta 1-40 we observed small changes in cytoplasmic morphology and nuclear damage. We also noted increases in vacuoles, the presence of particles within the nucleus and in the exp anded perinuclear cisternal space after a three-day treatment with bet a 1-40. Using immunocytochemistry we directly show beta 1-40 bound to and inside the NB41A3 cell. This result provides further evidence sugg esting A beta P-induced cell death in vitro is via an apoptotic mechan ism.