Deposition of amyloid β protein (Aβ) subtypes [Aβ40 and Aβ42(43)] in canine senile plaques and cerebral amyoloid angiopathy

To clarify the immunohistochemical features of canine senile plaques (SPs) and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), the distribution of the amyloid β protein (Aβ) subtypes Aβ40 and Aβ42(43), Aβ precursor protein (APP), and glial cell reaction were examined in the brains of seven aged dogs (12-18 years). Aβ42(43) was found to be deposited in all types of SPs, whereas Aβ40 was deposited only in mature (classical and primitive) plaques. CAA, which was located along parenchymal and meningeal arterioles and capillaries, consisted of both subtypes of Aβ. APP was exhibited in normal and degenerative neurons and swollen neurites of mature plaques. It was, therefore, considered that Aβ42(43) in diffuse plaques might be derived from APP in neurons, while Aβ40 and Aβ42(43) in mature plaques might be generated from APP in swollen neurites in the plaque. In contrast to the case in humans, in whom deposition of Aβ40 and Aβ42(43) in the mature plaques is predominantly associated with microglial reaction, in dogs we found that it was closely associated with astroglial reaction. The present findings showed characteristics of canine SPs which are different from those of humans.