抑制mTOR通路对局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤大鼠自噬的影响

目的:应用哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白(mammalian target of rapamycin,m TOR)抑制剂Cystatin C,探讨其对局灶性脑缺血再灌注大鼠自噬的影响。方法:成年雄性SD大鼠60只(体质量260~280 g),随机分为假手术组(sham)、缺血再灌注组(I/R)、Cystatin C组(根据不同浓度分为低、中、高3个亚组Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ),每组12只。I/R组和Cystatin C组采用线栓法制备大鼠右侧脑缺血再灌注损伤模型。缺血2 h再灌注24 h,观察神经功能缺损评分、测定脑梗死体积;应用Western Blot技术检测损伤脑皮质中自噬标志物LC3-Ⅱ、LC3-Ⅰ和Beclin-1的变化。结果:与I/R组相比,Cystatin CⅠ、Ⅱ组大鼠神经功能缺损评分和脑梗死体积减少,而Cystatin CⅢ组大鼠神经功能缺损评分和脑梗死体积增大。I/R组脑皮质中自噬标志物LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ比值和Beclin-1表达明显升高(P0.05);Cystatin C各组脑皮质中LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ和Beclin-1的表达逐步升高,且与浓度呈正相关。结论:m TOR抑制剂Cystatin C干预脑缺血再灌注大鼠可诱导脑皮质组织自噬,Cystatin CⅠ、Ⅱ组可减轻脑组织损伤,而Cystatin CⅢ组则加重脑组织损伤。     

黄芪甲苷与人参皂苷Rg1配伍对PC12细胞氧糖剥夺复糖复氧后细胞自噬和PI3K信号通路的影响

目的:探讨黄芪甲苷和人参皂苷Rg1配伍对PC12细胞氧糖剥夺后再复糖复氧(oxygen glucose deprivation/reoxygenation,OGD/R)诱导的细胞自噬的影响及作用机制。方法:以PC12细胞建立OGD/R自噬性损伤模型,观察黄芪甲苷与人参皂苷Rg1配伍对细胞自噬的影响,并通过PI3KⅠ/Akt/m TOR和PI3KⅢ/beclin-1/Bcl-2信号通路研究黄芪甲苷与人参皂苷Rg1配伍的作用机制。结果:氧糖剥夺2 h复糖复氧24 h后,PC12细胞内LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ蛋白比值增加。黄芪甲苷、人参皂苷Rg1及黄芪甲苷与人参皂苷Rg1配伍均能下调OGD/R后PC12细胞LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ蛋白比值,且配伍组的效应强于药物单用组。机制研究表明,人参皂苷Rg1单用及黄芪甲苷和人参皂苷Rg1配伍能升高PI3KⅠ、Akt、m TOR蛋白磷酸化水平,配伍的效应强于药物单用;黄芪甲苷单用及黄芪甲苷和人参皂苷Rg1配伍均能抑制PI3KⅢ、beclin-1蛋白表达,而配伍还能上调Bcl-2蛋白表达,且配伍的效应强于药物单用组。结论:PC12细胞在缺糖缺氧2 h再复糖复氧24 h后,细胞出现自噬;黄芪甲苷和人参皂苷Rg1均能减轻OGD/R诱导的PC12细胞自噬,且2者配伍对细胞自噬具有协同抑制作用,其机制可能与调节PI3KⅠ/Akt/m TOR和PI3KⅢ/beclin-1/Bcl-2信号通路有关。     

缺血性脑卒中小鼠脑和血清中IL-17A的变化及其对缺血神经元的影响

目的观察白介素-17A(IL-17A)在小鼠缺血性脑卒中血清和脑脊液的变化。在离体氧糖剥夺(OGD)模型和基因敲除小鼠中,进一步探讨IL-17A在神经元缺血损伤中可能的作用及其损伤途径。方法建立小鼠大脑中动脉栓塞(MCAO)和脑皮层原代神经元氧糖剥夺(OGD)模型,用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)分别检测6及12 h和1、3及7 d的血清(n=7)、脑脊液和12 h梗死区周围皮层(n=5)IL-17A的含量,经5、10、100和500 ng/m L重组IL-17A(r IL-17A)处理后的野生小鼠(n=8)与未经r IL-17A处理的基因敲除小鼠原代神经元进行OGD(n=5),用MTS比色法和蛋白印迹方法检测其对缺血神经元的影响。结果 MCAO 1 h再灌12 h,梗死区周围脑皮层匀浆IL-17A升高(P0.001),脑脊液中IL-17A在12 h达到高峰(P0.05);MCAO 1 h再灌1 d,血清IL-17A开始升高,再灌3 d达到高峰(P0.001);r IL-17A对常氧下神经元的存活率无明显影响,但其可呈剂量依赖性明显加重OGD损伤后神经元的存活率(P0.05);OGD处理野生型(IL-17A+/+)小鼠脑皮层原代神经元,Beclin 1蛋白表达水平和Cl/pro-caspase 3的比值明显升高,缺乏IL-17A可以逆转OGD的作用(P0.05)。结论缺血性脑卒中小鼠的血清和脑脊液中IL-17A呈现不同的变化规律,IL-17A可能通过神经元的自噬和凋亡途径加重神经元缺血损伤。     

Wortmannin通过抑制癫痫大鼠海马自噬活性发挥神经保护作用

目的:探讨癫痫大鼠海马自噬活性的变化及自噬抑制剂wortmannin(WM)对致痫大鼠海马神经元的保护作用。方法:实验大鼠分为对照组、致痫2 h、8 h、16 h、24 h、72 h组和WM干预组。应用HE染色和Nissl染色观察癫痫大鼠海马神经元损伤的变化。免疫印迹检测海马组织微管相关蛋白1轻链3(LC3)Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ的比值作为自噬活性的指标。结果:LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ比值在大鼠癫痫发作2 h时开始升高,24 h达到高峰,持续升高至少72 h。致痫24 h时海马CA1区出现明显神经元损伤和丢失。WM干预组CA1区存活神经元数目(100.88±18.73)显著高于癫痫组(70.16±5.09)(P0.05),LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ的比值低于癫痫组(P0.05)。结论:癫痫发作导致的海马损伤时存在自噬激活现象;WM通过抑制自噬活性减轻癫痫发作所致的海马损伤,具有神经保护作用。     

高压氧通过上调Cystatin C增强胚胎大鼠皮层神经元对氧糖剥夺的耐受

目的:探讨胱抑素C(Cys C)在高压氧(HBO)促进胚胎大鼠皮层原代神经元对糖氧剥夺(OGD)耐受过程中的作用。方法:取孕18 d SD大鼠胎鼠大脑皮质进行原代神经元培养。实验分为对照组(control)、OGD组(OGD)、HBO预处理组(HBO+OGD)、Cys C处理组(Cys C+OGD)和siRNA处理组(Cys C-siRNA+OGD),于培养后第10 d给予HBO预处理24 h,制备氧糖剥夺(OGD)模型,向细胞培养液中补充外源性Cys C或特异性siRNA来增加或下调神经元中Cys C水平,利用乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)检测试剂盒检测细胞死亡。采用Western Blot的方法检测各组细胞内自噬相关蛋白LC3-II和Beclin-1的表达。结果:HBO预处理可减轻大鼠皮层原代神经元OGD后的细胞死亡,同时上调Cys C、LC3-II及Beclin-1的表达。Cys C-siRNA能够显著抑制HBO预处理对神经元的保护作用,并抑制LC3-II及Beclin-1的表达;外源性Cys C具有与Cys C-siRNA相反的作用。结论:Cys C是HBO预处理诱导神经保护效应的重要分子,其内在机制可能为HBO预处理可通过促进Cys C表达,上调LC3-II及Beclin-1的表达,减轻神经损伤。     

永久缺血缺氧对PC12细胞自噬的影响

目的建立缺血缺氧损伤细胞模型,探讨永久性缺血缺氧致神经细胞损伤机制及其对PC12细胞自噬的影响。方法采用经典的神经细胞模型PC12细胞作为研究对象,利用无糖的DMEM培养基和缺氧罐(95%N_2和5%CO_2)培养PC12细胞,模拟体内神经细胞缺血缺氧环境。细胞分为对照组(在正常条件下,使用完全培养基培养细胞)和糖氧剥夺(OGD)处理组(在缺氧条件下,使用OGD培养基培养细胞):0.5h(OGD+0.5h)、2h(OGD+2h)、6 h(OGD+6h)、12h(OGD+12h)和24h(OGD+24h)。利用MTT检测细胞存活率,通过流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡率,比色法检测细胞乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)释放率,免疫荧光以及Western blotting法检测低氧诱导因子-1α(HIF-1α)、环氧化酶-2(COX2)、微管相关蛋白轻链3(LC3)和Beclin-1的表达,透射电子显微术检测自噬体的超微结构,探讨不同永久性缺血缺氧时间对细胞损伤以及自噬的影响。结果与对照组相比,细胞存活率下降,呈OGD时间依赖性,且自OGD 6h显著下降,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);细胞凋亡率和坏死率持续增高,与OGD时间呈正相关,且自OGD 12h后显著升高,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);HIF-1α和COX2蛋白表达随OGD时间延长逐渐升高,OGD 12h后增高显著,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。OGD组被荧光标记的绿色的LC3蛋白相对于对照组,数量增多,绿色荧光增强。Beclin-1蛋白表达结果显示,Beclin-1的表达与OGD时间呈正相关,并由OGD6h开始明显增加,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论缺血缺氧能够诱导PC12细胞氧化应激及自噬激活。     

DJ-1拮抗ROS介导Beclin-1上调在缺氧复氧HL-1心肌细胞中的作用

 目的 探讨DJ-1拮抗氧化应激诱导过度自噬在缺血再灌注心肌损伤中的保护机制。方法 以慢病毒为shRNA DJ-1载体感染心肌HL-1细胞系构建缺氧复氧损伤模型。Western blot检测shRNA DJ-1沉默效率和LC3、Beclin-1和DJ-1蛋白表达,流式细胞术AnnexinⅤ和PI染色分别检测凋亡和坏死,MDC和DCFH-DA染色分别检测细胞内自噬体和氧自由基（ROS）水平,激光共聚焦显微镜观察细胞内自噬体数量变化。结果 1）慢病毒为shRNA DJ-1载体感染心肌HL-1细胞后DJ-1表达水平下调;2）缺氧复氧显著上调ROS,而shDJ-1加剧缺氧复氧ROS水平上调,NAC可以有效下调细胞内ROS水平;3）Western blot检测LC3、Beclin-1自噬标志蛋白和MDC染色细胞内自噬体结果均认为缺氧复氧促进自噬,而shDJ-1加剧缺氧复氧导致的自噬上调,NAC抑制自噬上调;4）流式细胞术检测显示shDJ-1增加缺氧复氧凋亡,NAC可以减少心肌细胞凋亡。 结论 DJ-1拮抗ROS介导beclin-1上调参与保护缺血再灌注心肌。     

MicroRNA-30a调控Beclin-1对缺氧复氧乳鼠心肌细胞的保护效应

目的: 观察microRNA-30a(miR-30a)在原代心肌细胞缺氧复氧中的作用,探讨miR-30a保护缺血再灌注心肌的分子机制。方法: 重组构建慢病毒miR-30a表达载体(LV-GFP-miR-30a)感染原代乳鼠心肌细胞,构建缺氧复氧损伤模型。实验分为正常培养组、单纯缺氧复氧组、LV-GFP加缺氧复氧组、LV-miR-30a-GFP加缺氧复氧组和3-甲基腺嘌呤(3-MA)加缺氧复氧组。Real-time PCR检测缺氧复氧和慢病毒感染对miR-30a的表达影响,Western blotting检测LC3和Beclin-1蛋白表达变化,TUNEL和PI染色检测缺氧复氧后心肌细胞死亡情况。结果: (1)缺氧复氧后心肌miR-30a表达水平下调(P<0.05);(2)慢病毒miR-30a表达载体高效感染后心肌细胞miR-30a表达水平上调(P<0.05),心肌过表达miR-30a下调Beclin-1蛋白表达(P<0.05);(3)心肌过表达miR-30a抑制缺氧复氧后Beclin-1表达(P<0.05);3-MA处理减少缺氧复氧后心肌Beclin-1表达,减少缺氧复氧后LC3-Ⅰ转化为LC3-Ⅱ(P<0.05);(4)过表达miR-30a和3-MA处理减少缺氧复氧后心肌细胞凋亡(P<0.05)。结论: 心肌细胞过表达miR-30a显著下调Beclin-1;抑制自噬可以减少缺氧复氧后心肌细胞死亡。     

硫化氢对氧糖剥夺/复氧神经元细胞自噬和凋亡的作用研究

目的　探讨外源性硫化氢（H2S）对氧糖剥夺／复氧（OGD/R）诱导的神经元细胞自噬和损伤的影响,明确H2S减轻大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤的分子机制。 方法　以大鼠神经元PC12细胞为研究对象,采用经典的OGD/R诱导细胞损伤,硫氢化钠（NaHS）作为H2S的供体预处理后观察H2S对OGD/R诱导的细胞自噬抑制蛋白mTOR、AMPK及其磷酸化AMPK的影响。为明确AMPK在H2S调节PC12细胞自噬中的作用,采用AMPK过表达质粒进行干预,并观察其对H2S减轻PC12细胞损伤的影响。 结果　OGD/R处理的PC12细胞mTOR磷酸化水平降低、AMPK活性增强,NaHS预处理可部分逆转上述改变。而AMPK过表达后,可消除NaHS对OGD/R诱导的自噬和细胞凋亡的抑制作用。 结论　H2S可通过抑制AMPK活化,进而抑制缺血再灌注时大脑神经元过度的自噬和凋亡,最终减轻神经元损伤。     

白藜芦醇对血清剥夺诱导大鼠皮层神经元自噬的影响

目的:研究白藜芦醇(RSV)对血清剥夺诱导大鼠神经元自噬的影响及分子机制。方法:将原代培养的大鼠皮层神经元分为对照组(control)、血清剥夺组(SD)、RSV处理组(RSV)和RSV联合组SIRT1抑制剂EX527处理组(RSV+EX 527),利用乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)检测试剂盒检测细胞活性,免疫荧光染色检测沉默信息调节因子2相关酶1(SIRT1)的表达变化、Western Blot检测自噬相关蛋白LC3和Beclin1的表达水平变化。结果:与正常对照组相比,血清剥夺引起细胞活性下降、SIRT1表达下降,LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ比例减少,Beclin1表达降低(P 0. 05);经过RSV处理后,细胞活性增加(P 0. 05),大鼠神经元SIRT1表达增加,LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ比例增加,Beclin1表达增加;使用EX 527处理后,RSV的神经保护作用受到抑制。结论:RSV通过激活SIRT1活性促进大鼠皮层神经元自噬。     

妊高征患者血浆ET-1和血清INH、D-D检测的临床意义

目的:探讨了血浆内皮素-1(ET-1)和血清抑制素(INH)、D-二聚体(D-D)水平在妊高征患者发病中的变化和临床意义.方法:采用放射免疫分析、酶联法和生化法对32例妊高征患者进行了血浆ET-1和血清INH、D-D检测,并与35名正常孕妇作比较.结果:妊高征患者血浆ET-1和血清INH、D-D水平均非常显著地高于正常...     

新生儿缺氧缺血性脑病血浆ET-1与血清NSE动态变化及相关性的研究

目的:探讨新生儿缺氧缺血性脑病(Hypoxic-ischemicencephalopathy,HIE)血浆内皮素(Endothlin,ET)与血清神经元特异性烯醇化酶(Neuronspeificenolase,NSE)动态变化及相关性。方法:采用放射免疫分析动态测定32例HIE新生儿生后24h、3d、7d血浆ET-1和血清NSE水平,并以30例正常新生儿(生后24h)为正常对照组。结果:HIE新生儿血浆ET-1、血清NSE浓度在生后24h内分别为(88.17±19.75)pg/ml,(26.40±12.74)ng/ml显著高于对照组(分别为52.81±12.11pg/ml,14.35±3.11ng/ml);3d开始下降,血浆ET-1、血清NSE浓度分别为(73.77±22.86pg/ml,19.86±7.04ng/ml)与生后24h比较有显著性差异(P均<0.05);7d,HIE新生儿血浆ET-1(59.49±20.64)pg/ml,血清NSE(15.40±3.36)ng/ml与对照组比较无显著差异(P均>0.05)。血浆ET-1与血清NSE呈正相关(r=0.550,P<0.05)。结论:血浆ET-1动态变化在新生儿HIE的发病机理有着重要的作用,NSE释放与ET-1的动态变化相关。     

阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征患者细胞粘附分子水平的研究

目的探讨细胞粘附分子在阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合症(OS-AHS)发病中的作用。方法应用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)检测30例老年OSAHS患者及30例老年健康对照者血清可溶性细胞间粘附分子-1(ICAM-1)、血管细胞粘附分子-1(VCAM-1)和E-选择素的含量。结果OSAHS组血清ICAM-1、VCAM-1、E-选择素含量分别为245.22±71.19ng/ml、24.01±4.79ng/ml、和86.58±48.02ng/ml,均明显高于健康对照组(P<0.01),且随OSAHS程度的加重而明显升高。ICAM-1、E-选择素水平与睡眠呼吸暂停低通气指数(AHI)呈明显正相关(P<0.01);I-CAM-1水平与最低血氧饱和度(SaO2min)呈明显负相关(P<0.01)。结论OSAHS患者血清中可溶性粘附分子ICAM-1、VCAM-1和E-选择素水平可作为反映OSAHS严重程度的敏感指标。     

ACI患者治疗前后血浆ET-1和血清NSE、NPY联检的临床意义

目的:评估了急性脑梗死(ACI)患者治疗前后血浆内皮素-1(ET-1)和血清神经元特异性烯醇化酶(NSE)、神经肽-Y(NPY)水平的变化及临床意义.方法:应用放射免疫分析对32例ACI患者进行了治疗前后血浆ET-1和血清NSE、NPY检测,并与35名正常健康人作比较.结果:在治疗前血浆ET-1和血清NSE、NPY水平...     

妊高征肾病患者血浆ET-1和血清TGF-β1、IL-10检测及其临床意义

目的：探讨妊高征肾病患者治疗前后血浆ET-1和血清TGF-β1、IL-10水平的变化及临床意义。方法：应用放射免疫分析和酶联法对32例妊高征肾病患者进行了治疗前后血浆ET-1和血清TGF-β1、IL-10检测,并与35名正常人作比较。结果：妊高征肾病患者在治疗前血浆ET-1和血清TGF-β1、IL-10均非常显著地高于正常人组（P〈0.01）,经治疗2周后则与正常人组比较无显著性差异（P〉0.05）,血浆ET-1和血清TGF-β1、IL-10水平呈正相关（r=0.4812、0.5784,P〈0.01）结论：检测妊高征肾病患者血浆ET-1和血清TGF-β1、IL-10水平的变化,对患者的病情判断、疗效观察具有重要的临床价值。     

甲1型流感病毒新分离株HA基因的序列分析

目的 研究新分离的H1N1亚型流感病毒株的HA1基因序列。方法 甲型流感病毒通过鸡胚增殖后提取RNA、逆转录合成cDNA,经PCR扩增和产物纯化构建重组质粒,用双脱氧链终止法进行核苷酸序列测定;并进行基因特性分析。结果 新分离到的3株流感病毒株（H1N1）HA1区基因长度为981bp,编码327个氨基酸;与A/桂防/10/94和A/Bayern/07/95（H1N1）标准株比较其同源性分别为92.8%和91.3%,丢失了第130位氨基酸和304位糖基化位点;新分离的3株甲型流感病毒（H1地）标准株比较其同源性分别为92.8%和91.3%,丢失了第130位氨基酸和304位糖基化位点,新分离的3株甲型流感病毒株（H1N1）HA1区氨基酸同源性高达98%;A/桂防/10/94和A/Bayern/07/95(H1N1)毒株HN1氨基酸的同源性高达96%。结论 新分离到的3株H1N1毒株HA编码氨基酸不同于A/Baydrn/07/95(H1N1)和A/桂防/10/94（H1N1）标准株,它们可能为新的甲型流感病毒变异性。     

Sp1 is over-expressed in nasopharyngeal cancer and is a poor prognostic indicator for patients receiving radiotherapy

Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is a tumor of epithelial origin with complex etiology. Currently the standard treatment of NPC is radiotherapy, but therapy failure is quite common, making radioresistance an important issue. This study explores the association of specificity protein 1 (Sp1) protein expression with clinicopathological significance and disease prognosis in NPC patients receiving radiotherapy. A total of 82 NPC patients (55 males and 27 females, median age: 48 years old) were enrolled and received radiotherapy between September 2011 and March 2014. Tumor tissue and grossly adjacent normal mucosa were obtained in each patient. Sp1 expression was detected by western blot and immunohistochemical analysis, and the associations with clinicopathological status and radiotherapy response were analyzed. Our Results showed Sp1 protein expression was higher in CNE-1 and CNE-2 nasopharyngeal cancer cells than in normal nasopharyngeal mucosal NP69 cells. All 82 patients’ tissue sections were stained positive for the Sp1 protein, and 39 (47.6%) patients showed higher level than adjacent normal mucosa. Sp1-overexpression in the tumor tissue was correlated with a higher tumor stage, nodal status, clinical stage and distant metastasis (P < 0.01). Patients with higher Sp1 expression in pretreatment biopsies had a lower radiotherapy response compared to those with lower expression. In conclusion, Sp1 may play roles in radioresistance of nasopharyngeal cancer which attributes to tumor invasiveness, and serve as a novel prognostic marker of NPC radiotherapy. However, further studies are required to validate our findings in larger samples and explore more detailed mechanisms underlying radioresistance of Sp1.     

Epidemiological study, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization studies of nasopharyngeal carcinomas: a Tunisian report

Nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPC) are a significant problem of public health in Tunisia. They are particular because of their characteristic geographic distribution. The aims of this study were, first, to appreciate the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH) and to compare their benefits to NPC diagnosis and, secondly, to verify the relation between NPC and factors bound to the food and environment conditions. Biopsies, recruited at the department of pathology of EPS Charles Nicolle at Tunis, were analyzed for EBV genome presence by ISH of EBV-encoded small RNA1 (EBER1). IHC was done with encoded nuclear antigen (EBNA1), latent membrane proteins (LMP1), and antigen BZ1 anti-Z EBV-replication activator (ZEBRA). An epidemiological study based upon the analysis of a detailed questionnaire submitted to patients (all from the north of Tunisia) and 60 witnesses was done. The statistic analysis was realised by SPSS Windows 11.5 Advanced Statistics. All samples were classified as Undifferentiated Carcinoma of Nasopharyngeal type (UCNT). We found a sex ratio of 2 with a bimodal repartition. ISH showed 96.6% positive samples. IHC revealed the EBV in 90% of cases and 66.7%, respectively, with EBNA1 and LMP1. The statistic analysis showed a meaningful relation (P<0.05, OR>3) between NPC and dietary factors (spices and piquant condiment), alcohol and the water quality.     

Serum MCP-1 levels are increased in mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer's disease

Upregulation of a number of chemokines, including monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), is associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathological changes. Emerging evidence suggests that inflammatory events precede the clinical development of AD, as cytokine disregulation has been observed also in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

MCP-1 levels were evaluated in serum samples from 48 subjects with MCI, 94 AD patients and 24 age-matched controls. Significantly increased MCP-1 levels were found in MCI and mild AD, but not in severe AD patients as compared with controls. mRNA levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR analysis, paralleled serum MCP-1 levels. Moreover, a progressive MCP-1 decrease was observed over a 1-year follow up in a subgroup of MCI subjects converted to AD. MCP-1 upregulation is likely to be a very early event in AD pathogenesis, by far preceding the clinical onset of the disease. Nevertheless, as MCP-1 is likely to play a role in several pathologies with an inflammatory component, a possible usfulness as an early AD biomarker would be possible only in combination with other molecules.