SECRETION AND ACCUMULATION OF ALZHEIMERS BETA-PROTEIN BY CULTURED VASCULAR SMOOTH-MUSCLE CELLS FROM OLD AND YOUNG-DOGS

Cultured smooth muscle cells isolated from beta-amyloid-affected blood vessels from old dogs accumulate beta-protein at early passages [5,24 ]. Now, we show that smooth muscle cells derived from amyloid-free bra in blood vessels and peripheral arteries from old and young animals ar e induced by culture conditions to deposit intracellularly fibrillar a nd non-fibrillar beta-protein. Accumulation of beta-protein is associa ted with a higher secretion of beta-protein, but not with a higher sec retion of beta-amyloid precursor protein (beta APP) or higher cellular content of beta APP. Gradual cessation of proliferative activity was observed in cultures that accumulate beta-protein.