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Bade S, Frey A. Potential of active and passive immunizations for the prevention and therapy of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. Expert Rev Vaccines 2007; 6:153-68. [PMID: 17408366 DOI: 10.1586/14760584.6.2.153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies are fatal neurodegenerative disorders that affect humans and certain animals and are caused by prions. In most cases, infection occurs by ingestion of prions. Their long-time persistence in the environment creates a reservoir of potentially infectious matter that renders the eradication of the disease problematic. Unfortunately, no cure is available to date. Yet, for both the treatment of infected and the protection of uninfected individuals, active and passive immunizations have been shown to have a beneficial effect on the course of the disease. The current review provides an overview of such antibody-based approaches and assesses their feasibility and potential in prophylaxis and therapy of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Bade
- Research Center Borstel, Division of Mucosal Immunology, Borstel, Germany.
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52
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Nitschke C, Flechsig E, van den Brandt J, Lindner N, Lührs T, Dittmer U, Klein MA. Immunisation strategies against prion diseases: prime-boost immunisation with a PrP DNA vaccine containing foreign helper T-cell epitopes does not prevent mouse scrapie. Vet Microbiol 2007; 123:367-76. [PMID: 17499458 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2007.03.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Vaccination against prion diseases constitutes a promising approach for the treatment and prevention of the disease. Passive immunisation with antibodies binding to the cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) can protect against prion disease. However, immunotherapeutic strategies with active immunisation are limited due to the immune tolerance against the self-antigen. In order to develop an anti-prion vaccine, we designed a novel DNA fusion vaccine composed of mouse PrP and immune stimulatory helper T-cell epitopes of the tetanus toxin that have previously been reported to break tolerance to other self-antigens. This approach provoked a strong PrP(C)-specific humoral and cellular immune response in PrP null mice, but only low antibody titres were found in vaccinated wild-type mice. Furthermore, prime-boost immunisation with the DNA vaccine and recombinant PrP protein increased antibody titres in PrP null mice, but failed to protect wild-type mice from mouse scrapie.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Nitschke
- Institute of Virology and Immunobiology, University of Wuerzburg, Versbacherstr. 7, D-97078 Wuerzburg, Germany
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53
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Abstract
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy in cattle is highly suspected to be orally transmitted to humans through contaminated food, causing new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. However, no prophylactic procedures against these diseases, such as vaccines, in particular those stimulating mucosal protective immunity, have been established. The causative agents of these diseases, termed prions, consist of the host-encoded prion protein (PrP). Therefore, prions are immunologically tolerated, inducing no host antibody responses. This immune tolerance to PrP has hampered the development of vaccines against prions. We and others recently reported that the immune tolerance could be successfully broken and mucosal immunity could be stimulated by mucosal immunization of mice with PrP fused with bacterial enterotoxin or delivered using an attenuated Salmonella strain, eliciting significantly higher immunoglobulin A and G antibody responses against PrP. In this review, we will discuss these reports.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suehiro Sakaguchi
- Division of Molecular Cytology, The Institute for Enzyme Research, The University of Tokushima, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan.
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Spinner DS, Kascsak RB, Lafauci G, Meeker HC, Ye X, Flory MJ, Kim JI, Schuller-Levis GB, Levis WR, Wisniewski T, Carp RI, Kascsak RJ. CpG oligodeoxynucleotide-enhanced humoral immune response and production of antibodies to prion protein PrPSc in mice immunized with 139A scrapie-associated fibrils. J Leukoc Biol 2007; 81:1374-85. [PMID: 17379700 DOI: 10.1189/jlb.1106665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are characterized by conversion of the cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) to a protease-resistant conformer, the srapie form of PrP (PrP(Sc)). Humoral immune responses to nondenatured forms of PrP(Sc) have never been fully characterized. We investigated whether production of antibodies to PrP(Sc) could occur in PrP null (Prnp(-/-)) mice and further, whether innate immune stimulation with the TLR9 agonist CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) 1826 could enhance this process. Whether such stimulation could raise anti-PrP(Sc) antibody levels in wild-type (Prnp(+/+)) mice was also investigated. Prnp(-/-) and Prnp(+/+) mice were immunized with nondenatured 139A scrapie-associated fibrils (SAF), with or without ODN 1826, and were tested for titers of PrP-specific antibodies. In Prnp(-/-) mice, inclusion of ODN 1826 in the immunization regime increased anti-PrP titers more than 13-fold after two immunizations and induced, among others, antibodies to an N-terminal epitope, which were only present in the immune repertoire of mice receiving ODN 1826. mAb 6D11, derived from such a mouse, reacts with the N-terminal epitope QWNK in native and denatured forms of PrP(Sc) and recombinant PrP and exhibits a K(d) in the 10(-)(11) M range. In Prnp(+/+) mice, ODN 1826 increased anti-PrP levels as much as 84% after a single immunization. Thus, ODN 1826 potentiates adaptive immune responses to PrP(Sc) in 139A SAF-immunized mice. These results represent the first characterization of humoral immune responses to nondenatured, infectious PrP(Sc) and suggest methods for optimizing the generation of mAbs to PrP(Sc), many of which could be used for diagnosis and treatment of prion diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daryl S Spinner
- New York State Institute for Basic Research in Development Disabilities, 1050 Forest Hill Rd., Staten Island, NY 10314, USA.
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55
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Handisurya A, Gilch S, Winter D, Shafti-Keramat S, Maurer D, Schätzl HM, Kirnbauer R. Vaccination with prion peptide-displaying papillomavirus-like particles induces autoantibodies to normal prion protein that interfere with pathologic prion protein production in infected cells. FEBS J 2007; 274:1747-58. [PMID: 17313482 PMCID: PMC3792370 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2007.05721.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative disorders caused by proteinaceous infectious pathogens termed prions (PrP(Sc)). To date, there is no prophylaxis or therapy available for these transmissible encephalopathies. Passive immunization with monclonal antibodies recognizing the normal host-encoded prion protein (PrP(C)) has been reported to abolish PrP(Sc) infectivity and to delay onset of disease. Because of established immunologic tolerance against the widely expressed PrP(C), active immunization appears to be difficult to achieve. To overcome this limitation, papillomavirus-like particles were generated that display a nine amino acid B-cell epitope, DWEDRYYRE, of the murine/rat prion protein in an immunogenic capsid surface loop, by insertion into the L1 major capsid protein of bovine papillomavirus type 1. The PrP peptide was selected on the basis of its previously suggested central role in prion pathogenesis. Immunization with PrP-virus-like particles induced high-titer antibodies to PrP in rabbit and in rat, without inducing overt adverse effects. As determined by peptide-specific ELISA, rabbit immune sera recognized the inserted murine/rat epitope and also cross-reacted with the homologous rabbit/human epitope differing in one amino acid residue. In contrast, rat immune sera recognized the murine/rat peptide only. Sera of both species reacted with PrP(C) in its native conformation in mouse brain and on rat pheochromocytoma cells, as determined by immunoprecipitation and fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis. Importantly, rabbit anti-PrP serum contained high-affinity antibody that inhibited de novo synthesis of PrP(Sc) in prion-infected cells. If also effective in vivo, PrP-virus-like particle vaccination opens a unique possibility for immunologic prevention of currently fatal and incurable prion-mediated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Handisurya
- Laboratory of Viral Oncology, DIAID, Department of Dermatology, Medical University Vienna, Austria
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56
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Oboznaya MB, Gilch S, Titova MA, Koroev DO, Volkova TD, Volpina OM, Schätzl HM. Antibodies to a Nonconjugated Prion Protein Peptide 95-123 Interfere with PrP Sc Propagation in Prion-Infected Cells. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2007; 27:271-84. [PMID: 17205391 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-006-9108-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2006] [Accepted: 06/23/2006] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
1. Vaccination-induced anti-prion protein antibodies are presently regarded as a promising approach toward treatment of prion diseases. Here, we investigated the ability of five peptides corresponding to three different regions of the bovine prion protein (PrP) to elicit antibodies interfering with PrP(Sc) propagation in prion-infected cells.2. Rabbits were immunized with free nonconjugated peptides. Obtained immune sera were tested in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblot for their binding to recombinant PrP and cell-derived pathogenic isoform (PrP(Sc)) and normal prion protein (PrP(c)), respectively. Sera positive in all tests were chosen for PrP(Sc) inhibition studies in cell culture.3. All peptides induced anti-peptide antibodies, most of them reacting with recombinant PrP. Moreover, addition of the serum specific to peptide 95-123 led to a transient reduction of PrP(Sc) levels in persistently prion-infected cells.4. Thus, anti-PrP antibodies interfering with PrP(Sc) propagation were induced with a prion protein peptide nonconjugated to a protein carrier. These results point to the potential application of the nonconjugated peptide 95-123 for the treatment of prion diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria B Oboznaya
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, 117997, GSP Moscow, Russia,
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57
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Ishibashi D, Yamanaka H, Yamaguchi N, Yoshikawa D, Nakamura R, Okimura N, Yamaguchi Y, Shigematsu K, Katamine S, Sakaguchi S. Immunization with recombinant bovine but not mouse prion protein delays the onset of disease in mice inoculated with a mouse-adapted prion. Vaccine 2006; 25:985-92. [PMID: 17055125 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2006.09.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2006] [Revised: 08/25/2006] [Accepted: 09/26/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Host tolerance to endogenous prion protein (PrP) has hampered the development of prion vaccines as PrP is a major component of prions. Indeed, we show that immunization of mice with mouse recombinant PrP elicited no prophylactic effect against a mouse-adapted prion. However, interestingly, mice immunized with recombinant bovine PrP developed the disease significantly later than non-immunized mice after inoculation of a mouse prion. Sheep recombinant PrP exhibited variable prophylactic effects. Mouse recombinant PrP stimulated only very weak antibody responses. In contrast, bovine recombinant PrP was higher immunogenic and produced variable amounts of anti-mouse PrP autoantibodies. Sheep recombinant PrP was also immunogenic but produced more variable amounts of anti-PrP autoantibodies. These results might open a new way for development of prion vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Ishibashi
- PRESTO Japan Science and Technology Agency, 4-1-8 Honcho Kawaguchi, Saitama, Japan
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58
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Biswas S, Langeveld JPM, Tipper D, Lu S. Intracellular accumulation of a 46 kDa species of mouse prion protein as a result of loss of glycosylation in cultured mammalian cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2006; 349:153-61. [PMID: 16935263 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2006.08.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2006] [Accepted: 08/04/2006] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the accumulation of an abnormal isoform (PrPSc) of the normal cellular prion protein (PrPC) in the brain. Reportedly, abnormal N-linked glycosylation patterns in PrPC are associated with disease susceptibility; thus, we compared the glycosylation status of normal and several mutant forms of the murine prion protein (MuPrP) in cultured mammalian cells. Substitution of the N-terminal signal sequence of normal MuPrP with a heterologous signal peptide did not alter glycosylation. When expressed without the C-terminal glycophosphatidylinositol anchor signal, the majority of MuPrP remained intracellular and unglycosylated, and a 46 kDa species (p46) of the unglycosylated PrPC was detected on reducing gels. p46 was also observed when wild-type MuPrP was expressed in the presence of tunicamycin or enzymatically deglycosylated in vitro. A rabbit polyclonal anti-serum raised against dimeric MuPrP cross-reacted with p46 and localized the signal within the Golgi apparatus. We propose that the 46 kDa signal is a dimeric form of MuPrP and in the light of recent studies, it can be argued that a relatively stable, non-glycosylated, cytoplasmic PrPC dimer, produced as a result of compromised glycosylation is an intermediate in initiating conversion of PrPC to PrPSc in sporadic transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhabrata Biswas
- Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Vaccines, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 364 Plantation St., Worcester, MA 01605, USA
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59
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Andrievskaia O, McRae H, Elmgren C, Huang H, Balachandran A, Nielsen K. Generation of antibodies against bovine recombinant prion protein in various strains of mice. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2006; 13:98-105. [PMID: 16426006 PMCID: PMC1356621 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.13.1.98-105.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), also known as prion diseases, belong to a group of neurodegenerative disorders affecting humans and animals. To date, definite diagnosis of prion disease can only be made by analysis of tissue samples for the presence of protease-resistant misfolded prion protein (PrP(Sc)). Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to the prion protein provide valuable tools for TSE diagnosis, as well as for basic research on these diseases. In this communication, the development of antibodies against recombinant bovine prion protein (brecPrP) in four strains of mice (BALB/c, ND4, SJL, and NZB/NZW F(1)) is described. Immunization of autoimmunity-prone NZB/NZW F(1) and SJL mice with brecPrP was applied to overcome self-tolerance against the prion protein. ND4 and SJL mice did not develop an immune response to brecPrP. BALB/c mice produced antibody titers of 1:1,000 to 1:1,500 in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while NZB/NZW F(1) mice responded with titers of 1:7,000 to 1:11,000. A panel of 71 anti-brecPrP MAbs recognizing continuous and discontinuous epitopes was established from BALB/c and NZB/NZW F(1) mice. Seven anti-brecPrP MAbs reacted with both the cellular form of PrP and protease K-resistant PrP(Sc) from sheep brain in Western blot assays. The epitope specificity of these MAbs was determined, and applicability to immunohistochemical detection of prions was studied. The MAbs generated will be useful tools in the development of TSE immunochemical diagnosis and for research. This is the first report of the development of anti-PrP MAbs by use of autoimmune NZB/NZW F(1) mice as an alternative approach for the generation of PrP-specific MAbs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Andrievskaia
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency, OLF, 3851 Fallowfield Rd., Ottawa ON K2H 8P9, Canada.
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60
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Buchholz CJ, Bach P, Nikles D, Kalinke U. Prion protein-specific antibodies for therapeutic intervention of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2006; 6:293-300. [PMID: 16503737 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.6.3.293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Prion diseases, also called transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, are a group of fatal neurodegenerative conditions that affect humans and a wide variety of animals. There is no therapeutic or prophylactic approach against prion diseases available at present. The causative infectious agent is the prion, also termed PrPSc, which is a pathological conformer of the cellular prion protein PrPC. Passive immunisation studies with PrPC-specific antibodies indicated that immunotherapeutic strategies directed against PrPC can prevent prion disease. In this review, putative mechanisms of antibody-mediated prion inactivation, as well as active immunisation strategies, are discussed. Special attention is given to the problem of immunological self-tolerance against PrP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian J Buchholz
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 51-59, 63225 Langen, Germany.
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61
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Bade S, Baier M, Boetel T, Frey A. Intranasal immunization of Balb/c mice against prion protein attenuates orally acquired transmissible spongiform encephalopathy. Vaccine 2006; 24:1242-53. [PMID: 16455168 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2005.12.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2005] [Revised: 12/23/2005] [Accepted: 12/26/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
To test whether prion protein (PrP) specific secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) can be induced and protect against oral transmission of spongiform encephalopathy (SE) we immunized Balb/c mice either intragastrically or intranasally (i.n.) with a recombinant PrP-fragment (PrP90-231) and cholera toxin (CT) adjuvant. Since PrP90-231 was rapidly digested in intestinal lavage, aprotinin was added to some vaccine formulations. While an anti-CT response was elicited via both routes, solely i.n. immunization without aprotinin induced PrP-specific sIgA. They recognize predominantly PrP-oligomers as the antigen was aggregated in the vaccine formulations. Challenge experiments showed that the immune response induced by our protocol could not prevent disease, but increases the median survival of the animals. We conclude that PrP-specific sIgA reduce the infectivity of the inoculum and that complete protection against transmission of SE should be achievable by optimized immunization regimens.
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MESH Headings
- Adjuvants, Immunologic/administration & dosage
- Adjuvants, Immunologic/pharmacology
- Administration, Intranasal
- Animals
- Aprotinin/administration & dosage
- Aprotinin/pharmacology
- Cholera Toxin/administration & dosage
- Cholera Toxin/pharmacology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Feces
- Female
- Immunity, Mucosal
- Immunoglobulin A, Secretory/blood
- Immunoglobulin A, Secretory/immunology
- Immunoglobulin G/analysis
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Peptide Fragments/administration & dosage
- Peptide Fragments/immunology
- Prion Diseases/immunology
- Prion Diseases/prevention & control
- Prion Diseases/transmission
- Prions/administration & dosage
- Prions/immunology
- Serine Proteinase Inhibitors/administration & dosage
- Serine Proteinase Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Urine
- Vaccines, Synthetic/administration & dosage
- Vaccines, Synthetic/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Bade
- Research Center Borstel, Parkallee 22, D-23845 Borstel, Germany
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62
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Grégoire S, Bergot AS, Féraudet C, Carnaud C, Aucouturier P, Rosset MB. The Murine B Cell Repertoire Is Severely Selected against Endogenous Cellular Prion Protein. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2005; 175:6443-9. [PMID: 16272297 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.175.10.6443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Abs to the prion protein (PrP) can protect against experimental prion infections, but efficient Ab responses are difficult to generate because PrP is expressed on many tissues and induces a strong tolerance. We previously showed that immunization of wild-type mice with PrP peptides and CpG oligodeoxynucleic acid overcomes tolerance and induces cellular and humoral responses to PrP. In this study, we compared Ab and T cell repertoires directed to PrP in wild-type and PrP knockout (Prnp o/o) C57BL/6 mice. Animals were immunized with mouse PrP-plasmid DNA or with 30-mer overlapping peptides either emulsified in CFA or CpG/IFA. In Prnp o/o mice, Abs raised by PrP-plasmid DNA immunization recognized only N-terminal PrP peptides; analyses of Ab responses after PrP peptide/CFA immunization allowed us to identify six distinct epitopes, five of which were also recognized by Abs raised by PrP peptides/CpG. By contrast, in wild-type mice, no Ab response was detected after PrP-plasmid DNA or peptide/CFA immunization. However, when using CpG, four C-terminal peptides induced Abs specific for distinct epitopes. Importantly, immune sera from Prnp o/o but not from wild-type mice bound cell surface PrP. Abs of IgG1 and IgG2b subclasses predominated in Prnp o/o mice while the strongest signals were for IgG2b in wild-type mice. Most anti-PrP Th cells were directed to a single epitope in both Prnp o/o and wild-type mice. We conclude that endogenous PrPC expression profoundly affects the Ab repertoire as B cells reactive for epitopes exposed on native PrPC are strongly tolerized. Implications for immunotherapy against prion diseases are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie Grégoire
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unité 712 and Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Paris, France
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63
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Nunziante M, Kehler C, Maas E, Kassack MU, Groschup M, Schätzl HM. Charged bipolar suramin derivatives induce aggregation of the prion protein at the cell surface and inhibit PrPSc replication. J Cell Sci 2005; 118:4959-73. [PMID: 16219680 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.02609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The conversion of the cellular prion protein (PrPc) into a pathogenic isoform (PrP(Sc)) is one of the underlying events in the pathogenesis of the fatal transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). Numerous compounds have been described to inhibit prion replication and PrP(Sc) accumulation in cell culture. Among these, the drug suramin induces aggregation and re-targeting of PrPc to endocytic compartments. Plasma membrane and sites of conversion into PrP(Sc) are thereby bypassed. In the present study, a library of suramin analogues was tested as a potential class of new anti-prion compounds and the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects were analysed. Treatment of prion-infected neuroblastoma cells with compounds containing symmetrical aromatic sulfonic acid substitutions inhibited de novo synthesis of PrP(Sc) and induced aggregation and reduction of the half-life of PrPc without downregulating PrPc cell surface expression. Half-molecule compounds lacking the symmetrical bipolar structure or the anionic groups had no effect on PrP(Sc) synthesis or PrPc solubility. Cell surface expression of PrPc was necessary for the activity of effective compounds. Suramin derivatives did not induce aggregation of PrPc when transport along the secretory pathway was compromised, suggesting that their effects occur at a post trans-Golgi network (TGN) site, possibly close to the compartment of conversion into PrP(Sc). In vitro studies with recombinant PrP demonstrated that the inhibitory effect correlated with direct binding to PrP and induction of insoluble PrP aggregates. Our data reveal an anti-prion effect that differs from those characterising other sulphated polyanions and is dependent on the presence of the symmetrical anionic structure of these molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Nunziante
- Prion Research Group, Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich, Biedersteiner-Str. 29, 80802 Munich, Germany
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64
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Trieschmann L, Santos AN, Kaschig K, Torkler S, Maas E, Schätzl H, Böhm G. Ultra-sensitive detection of prion protein fibrils by flow cytometry in blood from cattle affected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy. BMC Biotechnol 2005; 5:26. [PMID: 16202155 PMCID: PMC1266054 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6750-5-26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2005] [Accepted: 10/04/2005] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The definite diagnosis of prion diseases such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in humans or bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle currently relies on the post mortem detection of the pathological form of the prion protein (PrPSc) in brain tissue. Infectivity studies indicate that PrPSc may also be present in body fluids, even at presymptomatic stages of the disease, albeit at concentrations well below the detection limits of currently available analytical methods. Results We developed a highly sensitive method for detecting prion protein aggregates that takes advantage of kinetic differences between seeded and unseeded polymerization of prion protein monomers. Detection of the aggregates was carried out by flow cytometry. In the presence of prion seeds, the association of labelled recombinant PrP monomers in plasma and serum proceeds much more efficiently than in the absence of seeds. In a diagnostic model system, synthetic PrP aggregates were detected down to a concentration of approximately 10-8 nM [0.24 fg/ml]. A specific signal was detected in six out of six available serum samples from BSE-positive cattle. Conclusion We have developed a method based on seed-dependent PrP fibril formation that shows promising results in differentiating a small number of BSE-positive serum samples from healthy controls. This method may provide the basis for an ante mortem diagnostic test for prion diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Katja Kaschig
- ACGT ProGenomics AG, Weinbergweg 22, D-06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Sandra Torkler
- ACGT ProGenomics AG, Weinbergweg 22, D-06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Elke Maas
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich, Biedersteinerstrasse 29, D-80802 Munich, Germany
| | - Hermann Schätzl
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich, Biedersteinerstrasse 29, D-80802 Munich, Germany
| | - Gerald Böhm
- ACGT ProGenomics AG, Weinbergweg 22, D-06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
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Abstract
Prions are infectious pathogens principally composed of abnormal forms of a protein encoded in the host genome. They cause lethal neurodegenerative conditions including CJD, GSS, and kuru in humans and scrapie and bovine spongiform encephalopathy in domestic animals. Remarkably, distinct strains of prions occur despite absence of an agent-specific genome: misfolded proteins themselves may encode strain diversity--with wide implications in biology. The arrival of variant CJD, and the experimental confirmation that it is caused by infection with BSE-like prions, has focussed research on early diagnosis and treatment. Recent advances lead to considerable optimism that effective human therapies may now be developed. While several drugs have been tried in small numbers of patients, there is no clear evidence of efficacy of any agent and controlled clinical trials are urgently needed. Importantly, there is increasing recognition that fundamental processes involved in prion propagation--seeded aggregation of misfolded host proteins--are of far wider significance, not least in understanding the commoner neurodegenerative diseases that pose such a major and increasing challenge for healthcare in an ageing population.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Collinge
- MRC Prion Unit and National Prion Clinic, Institute of Neurology and National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK.
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66
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Nikles D, Bach P, Boller K, Merten CA, Montrasio F, Heppner FL, Aguzzi A, Cichutek K, Kalinke U, Buchholz CJ. Circumventing tolerance to the prion protein (PrP): vaccination with PrP-displaying retrovirus particles induces humoral immune responses against the native form of cellular PrP. J Virol 2005; 79:4033-42. [PMID: 15767405 PMCID: PMC1061525 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.79.7.4033-4042.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Passive immunization with antibodies directed against the cellular form of the prion protein (PrPC) can protect against prion disease. However, active immunization with recombinant prion protein has so far failed to induce antibodies directed against native PrPC expressed on the cell surface. To develop an antiprion vaccine, a retroviral display system presenting either the full-length mouse PrP (PrP209) or the C-terminal 111 amino acids (PrP111) fused to the transmembrane domain of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor was established. Western blot analysis and immunogold electron microscopy of the retroviral display particles revealed successful incorporation of the fusion proteins into the particle membrane. Interestingly, retroviral particles displaying PrP111 (PrPD111 retroparticles) showed higher incorporation efficiencies than those displaying PrP209. Already 7 days after intravenous injection of PrPD111 retroparticles, PrPC-deficient mice (Prnp(o/o)) showed high immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG titers specifically binding the native PrPC molecule as expressed on the surface of T cells isolated from PrPC-overexpressing transgenic mice. More importantly, heterozygous Prnp(+/o) mice and also wild-type mice showed PrPC-specific IgM and IgG antibodies upon vaccination with PrPD111 retroparticles, albeit at considerably lower levels. Bacterially expressed recombinant PrP, in contrast, was unable to evoke IgG antibodies recognizing native PrPC in wild-type mice. Thus, our data show that PrP or parts thereof can be functionally displayed on retroviral particles and that immunization with PrP retroparticles may serve as a novel promising strategy for vaccination against transmissible spongiform encephalitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daphne Nikles
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
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67
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Khalili-Shirazi A, Quaratino S, Londei M, Summers L, Tayebi M, Clarke AR, Hawke SH, Jackson GS, Collinge J. Protein conformation significantly influences immune responses to prion protein. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2005; 174:3256-63. [PMID: 15749856 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.174.6.3256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In prion diseases, such as variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease normal cellular prion protein (PrPC), a largely alpha-helical structure is converted to an abnormal conformational isoform (PrPSc) that shows an increase in beta-sheet content. Similarly, the recombinant form of PrPC (ralpha-PrP) can be converted to a conformation dominated by beta-sheet (rbeta-PrP) by reduction and mild acidification in vitro, a process that may mimic in vivo conversion following PrPC internalization during recycling. Despite PrPSc accumulation and prion propagation in the lymphoreticular system before detectable neuroinvasion, no Ab response to PrP has been detected, probably due to immune tolerance. To investigate how the immune system may respond to alpha- and beta-PrP, we immunized Prnp(0/0) mice that are not tolerant of PrP with ralpha-PrP and rbeta-PrP. In this study, we show that although T cells stimulated by these differently folded conformers PrP recognize similar immunodominant epitopes (residues 111-130 and 191-210) the cytokine profile in response to ralpha- and rbeta-PrP was different. Challenge with ralpha-PrP elicited a strong response of IL-5 and IL-10, whereas rbeta-PrP led to an early increased production of IFN-gamma. In addition, immunization with ralpha-PrP led to production of predominantly IgG1 isotype Ab in the sera, whereas after immunization with rbeta-PrP, IgG2b was significantly produced. Thus, both humoral and cellular responses to these differently folded isoforms of the same protein are different, indicating a possible involvement of Th1 and Th2 pathway activation. These differences may be exploitable diagnostically and therapeutically for prion diseases, such as variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azadeh Khalili-Shirazi
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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68
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Féraudet C, Morel N, Simon S, Volland H, Frobert Y, Créminon C, Vilette D, Lehmann S, Grassi J. Screening of 145 Anti-PrP Monoclonal Antibodies for Their Capacity to Inhibit PrPSc Replication in Infected Cells. J Biol Chem 2005; 280:11247-58. [PMID: 15618225 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m407006200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 254] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are transmissible neurodegenerative disorders affecting humans and animals for which no therapeutic or prophylactic regimens exist. During the last three years several studies have shown that anti-PrP monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) can antagonize prion propagation in vitro and in vivo, but the mechanisms of inhibition are not known so far. To identify the most powerful mAbs and characterize more precisely the therapeutic effect of anti-PrP antibodies, we have screened 145 different mAbs produced in our laboratory for their capacity to cure cells constitutively expressing PrPSc. Our results confirm for a very large series of antibodies that mAbs recognizing cell-surface native PrPc can efficiently clean and definitively cure infected cells. Antibodies having a cleaning effect are directed against linear epitopes located in at least four different regions of PrP, suggesting an epitope-independent inhibition mechanism. The consequence of antibody binding is the sequestration of PrPc at the cell surface, an increase of PrPc levels recovered in cell culture medium, and an internalization of antibodies. Taken together these data suggest that the cleaning process is more likely due to a global effect on the PrP trafficking and/or transconformation process. Two antibodies, Sha31 and BAR236, show an IC50 of 0.6 nM, thus appearing 10-fold more efficient than previous antibodies described in the literature. Finally, five co-treatments were also tested, and only one of them, described previously (SAF34 + SAF61), lowered PrPSc levels in the cells synergistically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Féraudet
- Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique (CEA), Service de Pharmacologie et d'Immunologie, CEA/Saclay, 91191 Gif sur Yvette, France
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69
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Matucci A, Zanusso G, Gelati M, Farinazzo A, Fiorini M, Ferrari S, Andrighetto G, Cestari T, Caramelli M, Negro A, Morbin M, Chiesa R, Monaco S, Tridente G. Analysis of mammalian scrapie protein by novel monoclonal antibodies recognizing distinct prion protein glycoforms: an immunoblot and immunohistochemical study at the light and electron microscopic levels. Brain Res Bull 2005; 65:155-62. [PMID: 15763182 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2004.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2004] [Revised: 12/24/2004] [Accepted: 12/30/2004] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The availability of specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) recognizing the aberrant form (PrP(Sc)) of the cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) in different mammalian species is important for molecular diagnostics, PrP(Sc) typing and future immunotherapy. We obtained a panel of anti-PrP monoclonal antibodies in PrP(0/0) knock-out mice immunized with recombinant human PrP(23-231). Two mAbs, recognizing PrP epitopes in the alpha-helix 1 (mAb SA65) and alpha-helix 2 (mAb SA21) regions, immunoreacted with PrP(C) and PrP(Sc) and its proteolytic product, PrP27-30, from human, murine, bovine, caprine and ovine brains by Western blot. Remarkably, mAb SA21 recognized unglycosylated and monoglycosylated PrP with the second site occupied by glycan moieties, but not monoglycosylated PrP with the first consensus site occupied or highly glycosylated species. Immunoblots with mAb SA21 disclosed that PrP glycosylated at the second site accounted for the slower migrating form of the customary monoglycosylated PrP doublet. mAb SA65 immunolabelled all PrP glycoforms by Western blot and was highly efficient in detecting tissue PrP by immunohistochemistry in light microscopy and in immunoelectron microscopy. These novel anti-PrP mAbs provide tools to investigate the subcellular site of PrP deposition in mammalian prion diseases and may also contribute to assess the role of different PrP glycoforms in human and animal prion diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Matucci
- Section of Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Verona, Policlinico G.B. Rossi, P. le L.A. Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Italy
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70
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Abstract
Antibody-based immunotherapy may represent a realistic approach against prion diseases, given that antibodies to the cellular prion protein PrPC have been shown to antagonize deposition of the disease-associated prion protein (termed PrPSc) in in vitro assays and in laboratory animals. However, induction of protective antiprion immune responses in wild-type animals is difficult because of host tolerance to the endogenous PrPC. Several studies indicate that it might be possible to overcome tolerance to PrPC and induce immune responses to bacterially expressed, recombinant PrP. However, it is much more difficult to induce antibodies capable of recognizing native cell-surface PrPC, and there is reason to believe that the latter immune responses correlate with anti-prion protection. The difficulties involved in eliciting development of such anti-native PrPC immune responses may be partly intrinsic to B cells and, in addition, may reside in peripheral T helper tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank L Heppner
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 12, CH-8091, Switzerland.
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71
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Abstract
The transmissible spongiform encephalopathies have presented a challenge to physicians and scientists attempting to develop immunologically-based treatments. Self-tolerance has been one of the major obstacles to successfully raising antibodies against the prion protein (PrP), the host-encoded protein whose misfolded form (PrPSc) is linked to the protein-only infectious agent responsible for these disorders. Recently, it has been shown that antibodies directed against the normal cellular isoform of PrP (PrPC) can reduce or eliminate PrP isoform conversion in both in vitro and in vivo model systems. Similar studies with a PrPSc-specific epitope target are in progress. There is now rational hope that this devastating group of diseases may soon be amenable to immunotherapy and immunoprophylaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer K Griffin
- University of Toronto, Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, 6 Queen's Park Crescent West, Toronto, ON M5S3H2, Canada.
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72
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Abstract
Prions--pathogens that are lethal to humans and other animals--are thought to be conformational isomers of the cellular prion protein. Their unique biology, and the potential for a wider pathobiological significance of prion-like mechanisms, has motivated much research into understanding prion neurodegeneration. Moreover, concerns that extensive dietary exposure to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) prions might have infected many individuals--who might eventually develop its human counterpart, variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD)--has focused much interest on therapeutics. The challenge of interrupting this aggressive, diffuse and uniformly fatal neurodegenerative process is daunting. However, the recent finding that the onset of clinical disease in established neuroinvasive prion infection in a mouse model can be halted and early pathology reversed is a source for considerable optimism. A therapeutic focus on the cellular prion protein, rather than prions themselves, which might not be directly neurotoxic, is suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Mallucci
- Medical Research Council Prion Unit and Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Institute of Neurology, University College London, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
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73
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Kim CL, Karino A, Ishiguro N, Shinagawa M, Sato M, Horiuchi M. Cell-surface retention of PrPC by anti-PrP antibody prevents protease-resistant PrP formation. J Gen Virol 2004; 85:3473-3482. [PMID: 15483265 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.80113-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The C-terminal portion of the prion protein (PrP), corresponding to a protease-resistant core fragment of the abnormal isoform of the prion protein (PrPSc), is essential for prion propagation. Antibodies to the C-terminal portion of PrP are known to inhibit PrPScaccumulation in cells persistently infected with prions. Here it was shown that, in addition to monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to the C-terminal portion of PrP, a mAb recognizing the octapeptide repeat region in the N-terminal part of PrP that is dispensable for PrPScformation reduced PrPScaccumulation in cells persistently infected with prions. The 50 % effective dose was as low as ∼1 nM, and, regardless of their epitope specificity, the inhibitory mAbs shared the ability to bind cellular prion protein (PrPC) expressed on the cell surface. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that mAbs that bound to the cell surface during cell culture were not internalized even after their withdrawal from the growth medium. Retention of the mAb–PrPCcomplex on the cell surface was also confirmed by the fact that internalization was enhanced by treatment of cells with dextran sulfate. These results suggested that anti-PrP mAb antagonizes PrPScformation by interfering with the regular PrPCdegradation pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chan-Lan Kim
- Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Ayako Karino
- Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Naotaka Ishiguro
- Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Morikazu Shinagawa
- Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Motoyoshi Sato
- Laboratory of Veterinary Radiology, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Motohiro Horiuchi
- Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
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74
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Polymenidou M, Heppner FL, Pellicioli EC, Urich E, Miele G, Braun N, Wopfner F, Schätzl HM, Becher B, Aguzzi A. Humoral immune response to native eukaryotic prion protein correlates with anti-prion protection. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2004; 101 Suppl 2:14670-6. [PMID: 15292505 PMCID: PMC521983 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0404772101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are characterized by the deposition of an abnormal form (termed PrP(Sc)) of the cellular prion protein (PrP(C)). Because antibodies to PrP(C) can antagonize deposition of PrP(Sc) in cultured cells and mice, they may be useful for anti-prion therapy. However, induction of protective anti-prion immune responses in WT animals may be hindered by host tolerance. Here, we studied the cellular and molecular basis of tolerance to PrP(C). Immunization of Prnp(o/o) mice with bacterially expressed PrP (PrP(REC)) resulted in vigorous humoral immune responses to PrP(REC) and native cell-surface PrP(C). Instead, WT mice yielded antibodies that failed to recognize native PrP(C) despite immunoreactivity with PrP(REC), even after immunization with PrP-PrP polyprotein and/or upon administration of anti-OX40 antibodies. Consequently, immunized WT mice experienced insignificantly delayed prion pathogenesis upon peripheral prion challenge. Anti-PrP immune responses in Prnp(o/o) mice were completely abrogated by transgenic expression of PrP(C) in B cells, T cells, neurons, or hepatocytes, but only moderately reduced by expression in myelinating cells, despite additional thymic Prnp transcription in each case. We conclude that tolerance to PrP(C) can coexist with immunoreactivity to PrP(REC) and does not depend on thymic PrP(C) expression. Its circumvention might represent an important step toward the development of effective anti-prion immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalini Polymenidou
- Institute of Neuropathology, Neuroimmunology Unit, University Hospital, Schmelzbergstrasse 12 and Frauenklinikstrasse 10, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland
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75
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Hundt C, Weiss S. The prion-like protein Doppel fails to interact with itself, the prion protein and the 37 kDa/67 kDa laminin receptor in the yeast two-hybrid system. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2004; 1689:1-5. [PMID: 15158907 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2004.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2003] [Revised: 02/13/2004] [Accepted: 02/17/2004] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The prion-like protein termed Doppel (Dpl) shows approx. 25% sequence identity with all known prion proteins (PrP). We recently showed that the cellular PrP is dimeric under native conditions, a finding which was confirmed by the investigation of its crystal structure. Human PrP further interacts with its cellular receptor, the 37 kDa/67 kDa laminin receptor (LRP/LR). Here we report that human Doppel fails to interact with (i). itself, (ii). the human 37 kDa/67 kDa LRP/LR, and (iii). the human cellular prion protein (huPrP) in the yeast two-hybrid system. Our findings suggest that Dpl and PrP are not related or are only marginally related with respect to their ligand binding behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Hundt
- Laboratorium für Molekulare Biologie-Genzentrum-Institut für Biochemie der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 25, D-81377 Munich, Germany
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76
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Gregoire S, Logre C, Metharom P, Loing E, Chomilier J, Rosset MB, Aucouturier P, Carnaud C. Identification of two immunogenic domains of the prion protein-PrP-which activate class II-restricted T cells and elicit antibody responses against the native molecule. J Leukoc Biol 2004; 76:125-34. [PMID: 15075357 DOI: 10.1189/jlb.1203656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent reports suggest that immunity against the prion protein (PrP) retards transmissible spongiform encephalopathies progression in infected mice. A major obstacle to the development of vaccines comes from the fact that PrP is poorly immunogenic, as it is seen as self by the host immune system. Additional questions concern the immune mechanisms involved in protection and the risk of eliciting adverse reactions in the central nervous system of treated patients. Peptide-based vaccines offer an attractive strategy to overcome these difficulties. We have undertaken the identification of the immunogenic regions of PrP, which trigger helper T cells (Th) associated with antibody production. Our results identify two main regions, one between the structured and flexible portion of PrP (98-127) and a second between alpha 1 and alpha 2 helix (143-187). Peptides (30-mer) corresponding to these regions elicit class II-restricted Th cells and antibody production against native PrP and could therefore be of potential interest for a peptide-based vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie Gregoire
- INSERM E209, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Bâtiment Kourilsky, 184 rue du faubourg Saint-Antoine, 75571 Paris Cedex 12, France.
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77
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Gilch S, Nunziante M, Ertmer A, Wopfner F, Laszlo L, Schätzl HM. Recognition of Lumenal Prion Protein Aggregates by Post-ER Quality Control Mechanisms Is Mediated by the Preoctarepeat Region of PrP. Traffic 2004; 5:300-13. [PMID: 15030571 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0854.2004.0175.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Prion diseases are fatal transmissible neurodegenerative disorders linked to an aberrant conformation of the cellular prion protein (PrP(c)). We have shown previously that the chemical compound suramin induced aggregation of fully matured PrP(c) in post-ER compartments, thereby, activating a post-ER quality control mechanism and preventing cell surface localization of PrP by intracellular re-routing of aggregated PrP from the Golgi/TGN directly to lysosomes. Of note, drug-induced PrP aggregates were not toxic and could easily be degraded by neuronal cells. Here, we focused on determining the PrP domains mediating these effects. Using PrP deletion mutants we show that intracellular re-routing but not aggregation depends on the N-terminal PrP (aa 23-90) and, more precisely, on the preoctarepeat domain (aa 23-50). Fusion of the PrP N-terminus to the GPI-anchored protein Thy-1 did not cause aggregation or re-routing of the chimeric protein, indicating that the N-terminus is only active in re-routing when prion protein aggregation occurs. Insertion of a region with a comparable primary structure contained in the PrP paralogue prnd/doppel (aa 27-50) into N-terminally deleted PrP re-established the re-routing phenotype. Our data reveal an important role for the conserved preoctarepeat region of PrP, namely controlling the intracellular trafficking of misfolded PrP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Gilch
- Institute of Virology, Prion Research Group, Technical University of Munich, Biedersteiner Str. 29, D-80802 Munich, Germany
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78
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Abstract
Human neurodegenerative illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease exact an enormous cost on individuals, families and society. For these and related disorders, current treatment is largely symptomatic without influencing the underlying disease process. Until recently, the development of immunotherapeutic approaches to neurodegenerative disorders had been almost completely ignored despite growing successes against other non-infectious diseases such as cancer. However, since Schenk and colleagues described the antibody-mediated clearance of amyloid plaques in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, a number of studies have confirmed the feasibility of this strategy for several neurodegenerative disorders including Huntington's disease and prion diseases. These reports offer the exciting prospect that either the immune system or its derivative components can be harnessed to fight the misfolded and/or aggregated proteins that accumulate in many neurodegenerative illnesses. If the remarkable power of clonal expansion, specificity and efficiency of the immune system can successfully inactivate these abnormal proteins, real hope exists that effective immunotherapeutic treatments for neurodegenerative illnesses may be available in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony R White
- Neurochemistry Group, Howard Florey Institute of Experimental Physiology and Medicine, Victoria, Australia.
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79
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Heikenwalder M, Polymenidou M, Junt T, Sigurdson C, Wagner H, Akira S, Zinkernagel R, Aguzzi A. Lymphoid follicle destruction and immunosuppression after repeated CpG oligodeoxynucleotide administration. Nat Med 2004; 10:187-92. [PMID: 14745443 DOI: 10.1038/nm987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 365] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2003] [Accepted: 01/02/2004] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
DNA containing unmethylated cytidyl guanosyl (CpG) sequences, which are underrepresented in mammalian genomes but prevalent in prokaryotes, is endocytosed by cells of the innate immune system, including macrophages, monocytes and dendritic cells, and activates a pathway involving Toll-like receptor-9 (TLR9). CpG-containing oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODN) are potent stimulators of innate immunity, and are currently being tested as adjuvants of antimicrobial, antiallergic, anticancer and antiprion immunotherapy. Little is known, however, about the consequences of repeated CpG-ODN administration, which is advocated for some of these applications. Here we report that daily injection of 60 microg CpG-ODN dramatically alters the morphology and functionality of mouse lymphoid organs. By day 7, lymphoid follicles were poorly defined; follicular dendritic cells (FDC) and germinal center B lymphocytes were suppressed. Accordingly, CpG-ODN treatment for > or =7 d strongly reduced primary humoral immune responses and immunoglobulin class switching. By day 20, mice developed multifocal liver necrosis and hemorrhagic ascites. All untoward effects were strictly dependent on CpG and TLR9, as neither the CpG-ODN treatment of Tlr9(-/-) mice nor the repetitive challenge of wild-type mice with nonstimulatory ODN (AT-ODN) or with the TLR3 agonist polyinosinic:cytidylic acid (polyI:C) were immunotoxic or hepatotoxic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Heikenwalder
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital of Zürich, Schmelzbergstrasse 12, CH-8091 Zürich, Switzerland
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80
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Nunziante M, Gilch S, Schätzl HM. Prion Diseases: From Molecular Biology to Intervention Strategies. Chembiochem 2003; 4:1268-84. [PMID: 14661267 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.200300704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative infectious disorders for which no therapeutic or prophylactic regimens exist. Understanding the molecular process of conformational conversion of the cellular prion protein (PrP(c)) into its pathological isoform (PrP(Sc)) will be necessary to devise effective antiprion strategies. In recent years, new findings in the cell biology of PrP(c), in the molecular pathogenesis of PrP(Sc), and in the cellular quality control mechanisms involved in these scenarios have accumulated. A function of the prion protein in signalling, the possible impact of the proteasome, and aggresomes as intracellular waste deposits have been described. Here, important pathogenetic similarities with the more frequent neurodegenerative disorders are evident. The need for therapeutic, postexposure, and prophylactic possibilities was drastically illustrated by the emergence of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD), a new human prion disease caused by bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) derived prions. Although prion infectivity in humans is usually restricted to the central nervous system, in vCJD patients prions are present in the lympho-reticular system, posing a theoretical risk of accidental human-to-human transmission. A variety of chemical antiprion substances have been reported in in vitro and cell culture based assays or in animal studies. Occasionally, they have also made their way into the first human trials. In addition, various promising interference strategies have been devised in transgenic models, although they are usually hard to transfer into nontransgenic in vivo situations. New findings in the fields of peripheral prion pathogenesis and immune system involvement fuelled the search for antiprion strategies formerly considered to be entirely impossible. This opened the door towards classical immunological interference techniques. Remarkably, passive and even active vaccination approaches now seem to be realistic goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Nunziante
- Institute of Virology/Prion Research Group, Technical University of Munich, Biedersteinerstrasse 29, 80802 Munich, Germany
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81
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Schwarz A, Krätke O, Burwinkel M, Riemer C, Schultz J, Henklein P, Bamme T, Baier M. Immunisation with a synthetic prion protein-derived peptide prolongs survival times of mice orally exposed to the scrapie agent. Neurosci Lett 2003; 350:187-9. [PMID: 14550926 DOI: 10.1016/s0304-3940(03)00907-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Several lines of evidence suggest that immunisations may be helpful in the prophylaxis and treatment of neurodegenerative amyloidoses like Alzheimer's disease and prion infections. We used a synthetic prion protein-derived peptide (PrP105-125) and a recombinant PrP fragment (PrP90-230) as antigens for the active immunisation of mice, which were subsequently infected by dietary exposure to the scrapie agent. Immunisation with PrP105-125 prolonged the survival times significantly. In contrast, immunisation with PrP90-230 or adjuvants alone had no effect on the disease development. An epitope mapping of the antibodies raised against PrP90-230 revealed that reactivities against previously defined protective epitopes were either underrepresented or absent. These results point towards the possibility to prevent prion spread via the food chain by vaccinating humans or other species at risk to contract prion diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Schwarz
- Project Neurodegenerative Diseases, Robert-Koch-Institute, Nordufer 20, 13353 Berlin, Germany
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82
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Gilch S, Schätzl HM. Promising developments bringing prion diseases closer to therapy and prophylaxis. Trends Mol Med 2003; 9:367-9. [PMID: 13129701 DOI: 10.1016/s1471-4914(03)00144-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Prion diseases are fatal, infectious, neurodegenerative disorders, and there are no available therapeutic or prophylactic regimens. The potential of immune system components in combating peripheral prion infection has long been underestimated, but recent studies have suggested that such molecules could be effective. For example, promising results have been reported from a passive vaccination study in prion-infected mice. In addition, elegant transgenic mouse studies have shown the inhibitory effect on prion propagation of a soluble immunoglobulin G (IgG)-like dimeric prion protein. This type of molecule might represent a new class of anti-prion compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Gilch
- Institute of Virology/Prion Research Group, Technical University of Munich, Biedersteinerstrasse 29, 80802 Munich, Germany
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