Attempt to identify the agent for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease by CF antibody relationship to known viruses

Anti-PrP antibodies detected at terminal stage of prion-affected mouse

The causative agent of prion diseases is the pathological isoform (PrPSc) of the host-encoded cellular prion protein (PrPC). PrPSc has an identical amino acid sequence to PrPC; thus, it has been assumed that an immune response against PrPSc could not be found in prion-affected animals. In this study, we found the anti-prion protein (PrP) antibody at the terminal stage of mouse scrapie. Several sera from mice in the terminal stage of scrapie reacted to the recombinant mouse PrP (rMPrP) molecules and brain homogenates of mouse prion diseases. These results indicate that mouse could recognize PrPC or PrPSc as antigens by the host immune system. Furthermore, immunization with rMPrP generates high titers of anti-PrP antibodies in wild-type mice. Some anti-PrP antibodies immunized with rMPrP prevent PrPSc replication in vitro. The mouse sera from terminal prion disease have several wide epitopes, although mouse sera immunized with rMPrP possess narrow epitopes.

Experimental transmission of an autosomal dominant spongiform encephalopathy: does the infectious agent originate in the human genome?

Marmosets inoculated intracerebrally with brain tissue from a woman with Gerstmann-Straussler syndrome (an autosomal dominant dementia associated with spongiform change and amyloid deposition) developed an encephalopathy indistinguishable from that seen in marmosets inoculated with brain tissue from a typical case of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. As in Huntington's disease, in the pedigree of the patient with Gerstmann-Straussler syndrome women who subsequently developed the illness had increased fecundity. The pathogen in human transmissible dementia may arise from a sequence (which itself sometimes confers a selective advantage) located within the human genome.

Histocompatibility antigens and antibodies to viral and other antigens in Alzheimer pre-senile dementia

Alzheimer's disease may arise from an interaction between a conventional infective agent and a particular disease susceptibility (related to the HLA-A or B locus). HLA antigens and antibodies to conventional infective agents were examined in 14 patients with pre-senile dementia. Most of the sample probably suffered Alzheimer's disease, though one subject may have had Pick's disease. No particular HLA type or antibody was associated with the sample.