Identification of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and CCR2 in senile plaques of Alzheimer's disease

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is a chemotactic factor for huma n monocyte (microglia) and binds to CCR2 chemokine receptor. Reactive micro glia and inflammatory factors were reported to be present in senile plaques in the brain of Alzheimer's disease (AD), suggesting the presence of MCP-1 in senile plaques. To address this issue, we examined five brains of AD im munohistochemically, using specific antibodies for MCP-1 acid CCR2. MCP-1 i mmunoreaction was found in mature senile plaques and reactive microglia but not in immature senile plaques. A CCR2-positive reaction was also present in senile plaques which were stained with anti-MCP-l antibody. These findin gs suggest that MCP-1- and CCR2-related inflammatory events contribute to t he maturation of senile plaques.