A NOVEL ANIMAL MODEL OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE USING GENETICALLY ALTERED STEM CELLS

摘要

Disclosed herein is a neural stem cell (NSC) engineered to overexpress beta -amyloid. This NSC has been transfected with a beta -amyloid construct comprising DNA of APP695 gene with Swedish and Indiana mutations, a general or tissue-specific promoter, and a selection marker. Also disclosed is an in vitro method of screening for chemical activity against the development of β-amyloid, whose steps include providing a plurality of NSC engineered to overexpress beta -amyloid; contacting the beta -amyloid-producing NSCs with a chemical substance; and determining the presence of beta -amyloid. A method of producing a nonhuman Alzheimer's disease animal includes introducing sufficient NSCs expressing a beta -amyloid construct into the nonhuman animal, such that the beta -amyloid so expressed causes an Alzheimer's disease model. A transformed NSC cell line is transfected with a beta -amyloid construct, such that the NSC express beta -amyloid.