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Burato A, Legname G. Comparing Prion Proteins Across Species: Is Zebrafish a Useful Model? Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04324-z. [PMID: 38918277 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04324-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Despite the considerable body of research dedicated to the field of neurodegeneration, the gap in knowledge on the prion protein and its intricate involvement in brain diseases remains substantial. However, in the past decades, many steps forward have been taken toward a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying both the physiological role of the prion protein and the misfolding event converting it into its pathological counterpart, the prion. This review aims to provide an overview of the main findings regarding this protein, highlighting the advantages of many different animal models that share a conserved amino acid sequence and/or structure with the human prion protein. A particular focus will be given to the species Danio rerio, a compelling research organism for the investigation of prion biology, thanks to its conserved orthologs, ease of genetic manipulation, and cost-effectiveness of high-throughput experimentation. We will explore its potential in filling some of the gaps on physiological and pathological aspects of the prion protein, with the aim of directing the future development of therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Burato
- Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore Di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Legname
- Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore Di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Trieste, Italy.
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2
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Fatola OI, Keller M, Balkema-Buschmann A, Olopade J, Groschup MH, Fast C. Strain Typing of Classical Scrapie and Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) by Using Ovine PrP (ARQ/ARQ) Overexpressing Transgenic Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23126744. [PMID: 35743187 PMCID: PMC9223460 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE), caused by abnormal prion protein (PrPSc), affect many species. The most classical scrapie isolates harbor mixtures of strains in different proportions. While the characterization of isolates has evolved from using wild-type mice to transgenic mice, no standardization is established yet. Here, we investigated the incubation period, lesion profile and PrPSc profile induced by well-defined sheep scrapie isolates, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and ovine BSE after intracerebral inoculation into two lines of ovine PrP (both ARQ/ARQ) overexpressing transgenic mice (Tgshp IX and Tgshp XI). All isolates were transmitted to both mouse models with an attack rate of almost 100%, but genotype-dependent differences became obvious between the ARQ and VRQ isolates. Surprisingly, BSE induced a much longer incubation period in Tgshp XI compared to Tgshp IX. In contrast to the histopathological lesion profiles, the immunohistochemical PrPSc profiles revealed discriminating patterns in certain brain regions in both models with clear differentiation of both BSE isolates from scrapie. These data provide the basis for the use of Tgshp IX and XI mice in the characterization of TSE isolates. Furthermore, the results enable a deeper appreciation of TSE strain diversity using ovine PrP overexpressing transgenic mice as a biological prion strain typing approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olanrewaju I. Fatola
- Neurosience Unit, Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200005, Nigeria; (O.I.F.); (J.O.)
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, 17493 Isle of Riems, Germany; (M.K.); (A.B.-B.); (M.H.G.)
| | - Markus Keller
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, 17493 Isle of Riems, Germany; (M.K.); (A.B.-B.); (M.H.G.)
| | - Anne Balkema-Buschmann
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, 17493 Isle of Riems, Germany; (M.K.); (A.B.-B.); (M.H.G.)
| | - James Olopade
- Neurosience Unit, Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200005, Nigeria; (O.I.F.); (J.O.)
| | - Martin H. Groschup
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, 17493 Isle of Riems, Germany; (M.K.); (A.B.-B.); (M.H.G.)
| | - Christine Fast
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, 17493 Isle of Riems, Germany; (M.K.); (A.B.-B.); (M.H.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-38351-7-1274
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3
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Dudas S, Anderson R, Staskevicus A, Mitchell G, Cross JC, Czub S. Exploration of genetic factors resulting in abnormal disease in cattle experimentally challenged with bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Prion 2021; 15:1-11. [PMID: 33397192 PMCID: PMC7801127 DOI: 10.1080/19336896.2020.1869495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), researchers have orally challenged cattle with infected brain material to study various aspects of disease pathogenesis. Unlike most other pathogens, oral BSE challenge does not always result in the expected clinical presentation and pathology. In a recent study, steers were challenged orally with BSE and all developed clinical signs and were sacrificed and tested. However, despite a similar incubation and clinical presentation, one of the steers did not have detectable PrPSc in its brain. Samples from this animal were analysed for genetic differences as well as for the presence of in vitro PrPSc seeding activity or infectivity to determine the BSE status of this animal and the potential reasons that it was different. Seeding activity was detected in the brainstem of the abnormal steer but it was approximately one million times less than that found in the normal BSE positive steers. Intra-cranial challenge of bovinized transgenic mice resulted in no transmission of disease. The abnormal steer had different genetic sequences in non-coding regions of the PRNP gene but detection of similar genotypes in Canadian BSE field cases, that showed the expected brain pathology, suggested these differences may not be the primary cause of the abnormal result. Breed composition analysis showed a higher Hereford content in the abnormal steer as well as in two Canadian atypical BSE field cases and several additional abnormal experimental animals. This study could point towards a possible impact of breed composition on BSE pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandor Dudas
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for BSE, National Centre for Animal Diseases, Canadian Food Inspection Agency , Lethbridge, Canada.,Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary , Calgary, Canada
| | - Renee Anderson
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for BSE, National Centre for Animal Diseases, Canadian Food Inspection Agency , Lethbridge, Canada
| | - Antanas Staskevicus
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Scrapie and CWD, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa Laboratory Fallowfield , Ottawa, Canada
| | - Gordon Mitchell
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Scrapie and CWD, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa Laboratory Fallowfield , Ottawa, Canada
| | - James C Cross
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary , Calgary, Canada
| | - Stefanie Czub
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for BSE, National Centre for Animal Diseases, Canadian Food Inspection Agency , Lethbridge, Canada.,Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary , Calgary, Canada
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Marín-Moreno A, Espinosa JC, Torres JM. Transgenic mouse models for the study of prion diseases. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2020; 175:147-177. [PMID: 32958231 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2020.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Prions are unique agents that challenge the molecular biology dogma by transmitting information on the protein level. They cause neurodegenerative diseases that lack of any cure or treatment called transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. The function of the normal form of the prion protein, the exact mechanism of prion propagation between species as well as at the cellular level and neuron degeneration remains elusive. However, great amount of information known for all these aspects has been achieved thanks to the use of animal models and more precisely to transgenic mouse models. In this chapter, the main contributions of these powerful research tools in the prion field are revised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Marín-Moreno
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA-INIA), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Juan María Torres
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA-INIA), Madrid, Spain.
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Abstract
Mammalian prion diseases are a group of neurodegenerative conditions caused by infection of the central nervous system with proteinaceous agents called prions, including sporadic, variant, and iatrogenic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease; kuru; inherited prion disease; sheep scrapie; bovine spongiform encephalopathy; and chronic wasting disease. Prions are composed of misfolded and multimeric forms of the normal cellular prion protein (PrP). Prion diseases require host expression of the prion protein gene (PRNP) and a range of other cellular functions to support their propagation and toxicity. Inherited forms of prion disease are caused by mutation of PRNP, whereas acquired and sporadically occurring mammalian prion diseases are controlled by powerful genetic risk and modifying factors. Whereas some PrP amino acid variants cause the disease, others confer protection, dramatically altered incubation times, or changes in the clinical phenotype. Multiple mechanisms, including interference with homotypic protein interactions and the selection of the permissible prion strains in a host, play a role. Several non-PRNP factors have now been uncovered that provide insights into pathways of disease susceptibility or neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Mead
- Medical Research Council Prion Unit at UCL, Institute of Prion Diseases, University College London, London W1W 7FF, United Kingdom;
| | - Sarah Lloyd
- Medical Research Council Prion Unit at UCL, Institute of Prion Diseases, University College London, London W1W 7FF, United Kingdom;
| | - John Collinge
- Medical Research Council Prion Unit at UCL, Institute of Prion Diseases, University College London, London W1W 7FF, United Kingdom;
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Boudard D, Aureli F, Laurent B, Sturm N, Raggi A, Antier E, Lakhdar L, Marche PN, Cottier M, Cubadda F, Bencsik A. Chronic Oral Exposure to Synthetic Amorphous Silica (NM-200) Results in Renal and Liver Lesions in Mice. Kidney Int Rep 2019; 4:1463-1471. [PMID: 31701056 PMCID: PMC6829198 DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2019.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Silicon dioxide, produced as synthetic amorphous silica (SAS), is made of nanoparticles (NPs), either present as such or as agglomerates and aggregates, and is widely used in many types of food processes and products as an additive. To assess whether repeated, long-term exposure to SAS NPs may result in adverse effects, mice were exposed for 18 months via drinking water to NM-200, one of the reference nanostructured silica used for applications related to food, at 4.8 mg NM-200/kg body weight per day, a dose relevant to the estimated dietary exposure to SAS in humans. Methods The experiment focused on the kidney and liver as target organs and was carried out in parallel using 3 mouse lines (wild type and transgenic) differing for the expression of α-synuclein, that is, murine and human mutated (A53T). Sensitive determination of silicon revealed higher contents in liver and kidneys of NM-200–exposed mice compared with unexposed aged-matched controls. Results Histological abnormalities, such as vacuolization of tubular epithelial cells, were detected in all kidneys, as well as inflammatory responses that were also detected in livers of exposed animals. Less frequent but more deleterious, amyloidosis lesions were observed in glomeruli, associated with perivascular amyloid accumulation in liver. Conclusion These histological findings, in conjunction with the observation of detectable deposition of silica, highlight that chronic oral intake of SAS may pose a health risk to humans and need to be examined further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delphine Boudard
- CHU Saint Etienne, UF6725 Cytologie et Histologie Rénale, St-Etienne, France.,Université de Lyon, INSERM UMR 1059, Equipe DVH/PIB, Faculté de Médecine St-Etienne, France
| | - Federica Aureli
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità-Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Blandine Laurent
- CHU Saint Etienne, UF6725 Cytologie et Histologie Rénale, St-Etienne, France
| | | | - Andrea Raggi
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità-Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Michèle Cottier
- CHU Saint Etienne, UF6725 Cytologie et Histologie Rénale, St-Etienne, France
| | - Francesco Cubadda
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità-Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
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Miyazawa K, Masujin K, Matsuura Y, Iwamaru Y, Yokoyama T, Okada H. Interspecies transmission to bovinized transgenic mice uncovers new features of a CH1641-like scrapie isolate. Vet Res 2018; 49:116. [PMID: 30486902 PMCID: PMC6262972 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-018-0611-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
In animal prion diseases, including bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle, chronic wasting disease in cervids, and scrapie in sheep and goats, a disease-associated isoform of prion protein (PrPd) accumulates in the brains of affected animals. Although the CH1641 scrapie isolate was experimentally established in the UK, a few natural CH1641-like scrapie cases have been reported in France and the UK. The molecular mass of the unglycosylated protease-resistant core of PrPd (PrPres) is known to be similar between CH1641-like scrapie and experimental BSE in sheep. We previously established an experimental CH1641-like scrapie isolate (Sh294) from a natural classical scrapie case. Here, we demonstrated that the Sh294 isolate was independent of both classical and atypical BSEs by cross-species transmission to bovine PrP overexpressing (TgBoPrP) mice and wild-type mice. Interestingly, we found that the Sh294 isolate altered its host range by the transmission to TgBoPrP mice, and we succeeded in the first stable reproduction of CH1641-like scrapie specific PrPres banding patterns with the ~12-kDa small C-terminal fragment in wild-type mice. This study provides new insight into the relationship between CH1641-like scrapie isolates and BSEs. In addition, interspecies transmission models such as we have demonstrated here could be a great help to investigate the origin and host range of animal prions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohtaro Miyazawa
- Prion Disease Unit, Division of Transboundary Animal Disease, National Institute of Animal Health (NIAH), National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
| | - Kentaro Masujin
- Exotic Disease Research Unit, Division of Transboundary Animal Diseases, NIAH, NARO, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuichi Matsuura
- Prion Disease Unit, Division of Transboundary Animal Disease, National Institute of Animal Health (NIAH), National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Iwamaru
- Prion Disease Unit, Division of Transboundary Animal Disease, National Institute of Animal Health (NIAH), National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Takashi Yokoyama
- Department of Planning and General Administration, NIAH, NARO, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Okada
- Prion Disease Unit, Division of Transboundary Animal Disease, National Institute of Animal Health (NIAH), National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
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Levavasseur E, Biacabe AG, Comoy E, Culeux A, Grznarova K, Privat N, Simoneau S, Flan B, Sazdovitch V, Seilhean D, Baron T, Haïk S. Detection and partial discrimination of atypical and classical bovine spongiform encephalopathies in cattle and primates using real-time quaking-induced conversion assay. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0172428. [PMID: 28231300 PMCID: PMC5322914 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0172428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The transmission of classical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (C-BSE) through contaminated meat product consumption is responsible for variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) in humans. More recent and atypical forms of BSE (L-BSE and H-BSE) have been identified in cattle since the C-BSE epidemic. Their low incidence and advanced age of onset are compatible with a sporadic origin, as are most cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in humans. Transmissions studies in primates and transgenic mice expressing a human prion protein (PrP) indicated that atypical forms of BSE may be associated with a higher zoonotic potential than classical BSE, and require particular attention for public health. Recently, methods designed to amplify misfolded forms of PrP have emerged as promising tools to detect prion strains and to study their diversity. Here, we validated real-time quaking-induced conversion assay for the discrimination of atypical and classical BSE strains using a large series of bovine samples encompassing all the atypical BSE cases detected by the French Centre of Reference during 10 years of exhaustive active surveillance. We obtained a 100% sensitivity and specificity for atypical BSE detection. In addition, the assay was able to discriminate atypical and classical BSE in non-human primates, and also sporadic CJD and vCJD in humans. The RT-QuIC assay appears as a practical means for a reliable detection of atypical BSE strains in a homologous or heterologous PrP context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Etienne Levavasseur
- Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris VI UMR S 1127, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, Paris, France
| | - Anne-Gaëlle Biacabe
- Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire de l’alimentation, de l’environnement et du travail (ANSES), Unité maladies neuro-dégénératives, Lyon, France
| | - Emmanuel Comoy
- Commissariat à l’Énergie Atomique (CEA), Institut des maladies émergentes et des thérapies nouvelles (IMETI), Service d’étude des prions et des infections atypiques (SEPIA), Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Audrey Culeux
- Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris VI UMR S 1127, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, Paris, France
| | - Katarina Grznarova
- Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris VI UMR S 1127, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Privat
- Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris VI UMR S 1127, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, Paris, France
| | | | | | | | - Danielle Seilhean
- AP-HP, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Neuropathologie, Paris, France
| | - Thierry Baron
- Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire de l’alimentation, de l’environnement et du travail (ANSES), Unité maladies neuro-dégénératives, Lyon, France
| | - Stéphane Haïk
- Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris VI UMR S 1127, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, Paris, France
- AP-HP, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Cellule nationale de référence des MCJ, Paris, France
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Moreno JA, Telling GC. Insights into Mechanisms of Transmission and Pathogenesis from Transgenic Mouse Models of Prion Diseases. Methods Mol Biol 2017; 1658:219-252. [PMID: 28861793 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7244-9_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Prions represent a new paradigm of protein-mediated information transfer. In the case of mammals, prions are the cause of fatal, transmissible neurodegenerative diseases, sometimes referred to as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), which frequently occur as epidemics. An increasing body of evidence indicates that the canonical mechanism of conformational corruption of cellular prion protein (PrPC) by the pathogenic isoform (PrPSc) that is the basis of prion formation in TSEs is common to a spectrum of proteins associated with various additional human neurodegenerative disorders, including the more common Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. The peerless infectious properties of TSE prions, and the unparalleled tools for their study, therefore enable elucidation of mechanisms of template-mediated conformational propagation that are generally applicable to these related disease states. Many unresolved issues remain including the exact molecular nature of the prion, the detailed cellular and molecular mechanisms of prion propagation, and the means by which prion diseases can be both genetic and infectious. In addition, we know little about the mechanism by which neurons degenerate during prion diseases. Tied to this, the physiological role of the normal form of the prion protein remains unclear and it is uncertain whether or not loss of this function contributes to prion pathogenesis. The factors governing the transmission of prions between species remain unclear, in particular the means by which prion strains and PrP primary structure interact to affect interspecies prion transmission. Despite all these unknowns, advances in our understanding of prions have occurred because of their transmissibility to experimental animals, and the development of transgenic (Tg) mouse models has done much to further our understanding about various aspects of prion biology. In this review, we will focus on advances in our understanding of prion biology that occurred in the past 8 years since our last review of this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie A Moreno
- Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience Graduate Program, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Prion Research Center, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Glenn C Telling
- Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience Graduate Program, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Prion Research Center, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA.
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10
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Madsen-Bouterse SA, Schneider DA, Zhuang D, Dassanayake RP, Balachandran A, Mitchell GB, O'Rourke KI. Primary transmission of chronic wasting disease versus scrapie prions from small ruminants to transgenic mice expressing ovine or cervid prion protein. J Gen Virol 2016; 97:2451-2460. [PMID: 27393736 PMCID: PMC5042132 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.000539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of mice expressing either ovine (Tg338) or cervid (TgElk) prion protein (PrP) have aided in characterization of scrapie and chronic wasting disease (CWD), respectively. Experimental inoculation of sheep with CWD prions has demonstrated the potential for interspecies transmission but, infection with CWD versus classical scrapie prions may be difficult to differentiate using validated diagnostic platforms. In this study, mouse bioassay in Tg338 and TgElk was utilized to evaluate transmission of CWD versus scrapie prions from small ruminants. Mice (≥5 per homogenate) were inoculated with brain homogenates from clinically affected sheep or goats with naturally acquired classical scrapie, white-tailed deer with naturally acquired CWD (WTD-CWD) or sheep with experimentally acquired CWD derived from elk (sheep-passaged-CWD). Survival time (time to clinical disease) and attack rates (brain accumulation of protease resistant PrP, PrPres) were determined. Inoculation with classical scrapie prions resulted in clinical disease and 100 % attack rates in Tg338, but no clinical disease at endpoint (>300 days post-inoculation, p.i.) and low attack rates (6.8 %) in TgElk. Inoculation with WTD-CWD prions yielded no clinical disease or brain PrPres accumulation in Tg338 at endpoint (>500 days p.i.), but rapid onset of clinical disease (~121 days p.i.) and 100 % attack rate in TgElk. Sheep-passaged-CWD resulted in transmission to both mouse lines with 100 % attack rates at endpoint in Tg338 and an attack rate of ~73 % in TgElk with some culled due to clinical disease. These primary transmission observations demonstrate the potential of bioassay in Tg338 and TgElk to help differentiate possible infection with CWD versus classical scrapie prions in sheep and goats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally A. Madsen-Bouterse
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-7040, USA
| | - David A. Schneider
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-7040, USA
- Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Pullman, WA 99164-6630, USA
| | - Dongyue Zhuang
- Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Pullman, WA 99164-6630, USA
| | - Rohana P. Dassanayake
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-7040, USA
| | - Aru Balachandran
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Scrapie and CWD, Canadian Food Inspection, Agency, Ottawa Laboratory–Fallowfield, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gordon B. Mitchell
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Scrapie and CWD, Canadian Food Inspection, Agency, Ottawa Laboratory–Fallowfield, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Katherine I. O'Rourke
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-7040, USA
- Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Pullman, WA 99164-6630, USA
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11
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Okada H, Miyazawa K, Imamura M, Iwamaru Y, Masujin K, Matsuura Y, Yokoyama T. Transmission of atypical scrapie to homozygous ARQ sheep. J Vet Med Sci 2016; 78:1619-1624. [PMID: 27320968 PMCID: PMC5095634 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.16-0259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Two Cheviot ewes homozygous for the A136L141R154Q171 (AL141RQ) prion protein (PrP) genotype were exposed intracerebrally to brain pools prepared using four field cases of atypical scrapie from the United Kingdom. Animals were clinically normal until the end of the experiment, when they were culled 7 years post-inoculation. Limited accumulation of disease-associated PrP (PrPSc) was observed in the cerebellar molecular layer by immunohistochemistry, but not by western blot or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, PrPSc was partially localized in astrocytes and microglia, suggesting that these cells have a role in PrPSc processing, degradation or both. Our results indicate that atypical scrapie is transmissible to AL141RQ sheep, but these animals act as clinically silent carriers with long incubation times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Okada
- National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0856, Japan
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12
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Lacroux C, Comoy E, Moudjou M, Perret-Liaudet A, Lugan S, Litaise C, Simmons H, Jas-Duval C, Lantier I, Béringue V, Groschup M, Fichet G, Costes P, Streichenberger N, Lantier F, Deslys JP, Vilette D, Andréoletti O. Preclinical detection of variant CJD and BSE prions in blood. PLoS Pathog 2014; 10:e1004202. [PMID: 24945656 PMCID: PMC4055790 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2014] [Accepted: 05/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of variant Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease (vCJD) is considered a likely consequence of human dietary exposure to Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) agent. More recently, secondary vCJD cases were identified in patients transfused with blood products prepared from apparently healthy donors who later went on to develop the disease. As there is no validated assay for detection of vCJD/BSE infected individuals the prevalence of the disease in the population remains uncertain. In that context, the risk of vCJD blood borne transmission is considered as a serious concern by health authorities. In this study, appropriate conditions and substrates for highly efficient and specific in vitro amplification of vCJD/BSE agent using Protein Misfolding Cyclic Amplification (PMCA) were first identified. This showed that whatever the origin (species) of the vCJD/BSE agent, the ovine Q171 PrP substrates provided the best amplification performances. These results indicate that the homology of PrP amino-acid sequence between the seed and the substrate is not the crucial determinant of the vCJD agent propagation in vitro. The ability of this method to detect endogenous vCJD/BSE agent in the blood was then defined. In both sheep and primate models of the disease, the assay enabled the identification of infected individuals in the early preclinical stage of the incubation period. Finally, sample panels that included buffy coat from vCJD affected patients and healthy controls were tested blind. The assay identified three out of the four tested vCJD affected patients and no false positive was observed in 141 healthy controls. The negative results observed in one of the tested vCJD cases concurs with results reported by others using a different vCJD agent blood detection assay and raises the question of the potential absence of prionemia in certain patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Lacroux
- UMR INRA ENVT 1225, Interactions Hôtes Agents Pathogènes, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Emmanuel Comoy
- CEA, Institute of Emerging Diseases and Innovative Therapies (iMETI), Division of Prions and Related Diseases (SEPIA), Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Mohammed Moudjou
- UR892 Virologie et Immunologie Moléculaires Centre de Recherche de Jouy-en-Josas, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Armand Perret-Liaudet
- Hospices Civils de Lyon –Laboratoire Diagnostic Maladies à Prions; CNRS, INSERM, UCB Lyon1, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, BioRan, Bron, France
| | - Séverine Lugan
- UMR INRA ENVT 1225, Interactions Hôtes Agents Pathogènes, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Claire Litaise
- UMR INRA ENVT 1225, Interactions Hôtes Agents Pathogènes, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Hugh Simmons
- VLA Weybridge, ASU, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | | | - Isabelle Lantier
- INRA, UMR 1282 Infectiologie et Santé Publique, Nouzilly, France
| | - Vincent Béringue
- UR892 Virologie et Immunologie Moléculaires Centre de Recherche de Jouy-en-Josas, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Martin Groschup
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Guillaume Fichet
- UR892 Virologie et Immunologie Moléculaires Centre de Recherche de Jouy-en-Josas, Jouy-en-Josas, France
- Franklab, Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France
| | - Pierrette Costes
- UMR INRA ENVT 1225, Interactions Hôtes Agents Pathogènes, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Nathalie Streichenberger
- UR892 Virologie et Immunologie Moléculaires Centre de Recherche de Jouy-en-Josas, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Frederic Lantier
- INRA, UMR 1282 Infectiologie et Santé Publique, Nouzilly, France
| | - Jean Philippe Deslys
- CEA, Institute of Emerging Diseases and Innovative Therapies (iMETI), Division of Prions and Related Diseases (SEPIA), Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Didier Vilette
- UMR INRA ENVT 1225, Interactions Hôtes Agents Pathogènes, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Olivier Andréoletti
- UMR INRA ENVT 1225, Interactions Hôtes Agents Pathogènes, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
- * E-mail:
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13
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Abstract
Although they share certain biological properties with nucleic acid based infectious agents, prions, the causative agents of invariably fatal, transmissible neurodegenerative disorders such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy, sheep scrapie, and human Creutzfeldt Jakob disease, propagate by conformational templating of host encoded proteins. Once thought to be unique to these diseases, this mechanism is now recognized as a ubiquitous means of information transfer in biological systems, including other protein misfolding disorders such as those causing Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. To address the poorly understood mechanism by which host prion protein (PrP) primary structures interact with distinct prion conformations to influence pathogenesis, we produced transgenic (Tg) mice expressing different sheep scrapie susceptibility alleles, varying only at a single amino acid at PrP residue 136. Tg mice expressing ovine PrP with alanine (A) at (OvPrP-A136) infected with SSBP/1 scrapie prions propagated a relatively stable (S) prion conformation, which accumulated as punctate aggregates in the brain, and produced prolonged incubation times. In contrast, Tg mice expressing OvPrP with valine (V) at 136 (OvPrP-V136) infected with the same prions developed disease rapidly, and the converted prion was comprised of an unstable (U), diffusely distributed conformer. Infected Tg mice co-expressing both alleles manifested properties consistent with the U conformer, suggesting a dominant effect resulting from exclusive conversion of OvPrP-V136 but not OvPrP-A136. Surprisingly, however, studies with monoclonal antibody (mAb) PRC5, which discriminates OvPrP-A136 from OvPrP-V136, revealed substantial conversion of OvPrP-A136. Moreover, the resulting OvPrP-A136 prion acquired the characteristics of the U conformer. These results, substantiated by in vitro analyses, indicated that co-expression of OvPrP-V136 altered the conversion potential of OvPrP-A136 from the S to the otherwise unfavorable U conformer. This epigenetic mechanism thus expands the range of selectable conformations that can be adopted by PrP, and therefore the variety of options for strain propagation. Prions are infectious proteins, originally discovered as the cause of a group of transmissible, fatal mammalian neurodegenerative diseases. Propagation results from conversion of the host-encoded cellular form of the prion protein to a self-propagating disease-associated conformation. It is believed that the self-propagating pathogenic form exists in a variety of subtly different conformations that encipher prion strain information. Here we explored the mechanism by which prion protein primary structural variants, differing at only a single amino acid residue, interact with prion strain conformations to control disease phenotype. We show that under conditions of co-expression, a susceptible prion protein variant influences the ability of an otherwise resistant variant to propagate an otherwise unfavorable prion strain. While this phenomenon is analogous to the expression of genetically-determined phenotypes, our results support a mechanism whereby dominant and recessive prion traits are epigenetically controlled by means of protein-mediated conformational templating.
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Sarasa R, Becher D, Badiola JJ, Monzón M. A comparative study of modified confirmatory techniques and additional immuno-based methods for non-conclusive autolytic bovine spongiform encephalopathy cases. BMC Vet Res 2013; 9:212. [PMID: 24138967 PMCID: PMC4015824 DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-9-212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2013] [Accepted: 10/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In the framework of the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) surveillance programme, samples with non-conclusive results using the OIE confirmatory techniques have been repeatedly found. It is therefore necessary to question the adequacy of the previously established consequences of this non-conclusive result: the danger of failing to detect potentially infected cattle or erroneous information that may affect the decision of culling or not of an entire bovine cohort. Moreover, there is a very real risk that the underreporting of cases may possibly lead to distortion of the BSE epidemiological information for a given country. In this study, samples from bovine nervous tissue presenting non-conclusive results by conventional OIE techniques (Western blot and immunohistochemistry) were analyzed. Their common characteristic was a very advanced degree of autolysis. All techniques recommended by the OIE for BSE diagnosis were applied on all these samples in order to provide a comparative study. Specifically, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, SAF detection by electron microscopy and mouse bioassay were compared. Besides, other non confirmatory techniques, confocal scanning microscopy and colloidal gold labelling of fibrils, were applied on these samples for confirming and improving the results. Results Immunocytochemistry showed immunostaining in agreement with the positive results finally provided by the other confirmatory techniques. These results corroborated the suitability of this technique which was previously developed to examine autolysed (liquified) brain samples. Transmission after inoculation of a transgenic murine model TgbovXV was successful in all inocula but not in all mice, perhaps due to the very scarce PrPsc concentration present in samples. Electron microscopy, currently fallen into disuse, was demonstrated to be, not only capable to provide a final diagnosis despite the autolytic state of samples, but also to be a sensitive diagnostic alternative for resolving cases with low concentrations of PrPsc. Conclusions Demonstration of transmission of the disease even with low concentrations of PrPsc should reinforce that vigilance is required in interpreting results so that subtle changes do not go unnoticed. To maintain a continued supervision of the techniques which are applied in the routine diagnosis would prove essential for the ultimate eradication of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Marta Monzón
- Research Centre for Encephalopathies and Transmissible Emerging Diseases, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
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Thackray AM, Hopkins L, Lockey R, Spiropoulos J, Bujdoso R. Propagation of ovine prions from “poor” transmitter scrapie isolates in ovine PrP transgenic mice. Exp Mol Pathol 2012; 92:167-74. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2011.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2011] [Accepted: 11/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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16
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Thackray AM, Hopkins L, Lockey R, Spiropoulos J, Bujdoso R. Emergence of multiple prion strains from single isolates of ovine scrapie. J Gen Virol 2011; 92:1482-1491. [PMID: 21270287 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.028886-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The infectious agent associated with prion diseases such as ovine scrapie shows strain diversity. Ovine prion strains have typically been identified by their transmission properties in wild-type mice. However, strain typing of ovine scrapie isolates in wild-type mice may not reveal properties of the infectious prion agent as they exist in the original host. This could be circumvented if ovine scrapie isolates are passaged in ovine prion protein (PrP)-transgenic mice. This study used incubation time, lesion profile, immunohistochemistry of the disease-associated PrP (PrP(Sc)) and molecular profile to compare the range of ovine prion strains that emerged from sheep scrapie isolates following serial passage in wild-type and ovine PrP transgenic mice. It was found that a diverse range of ovine prion strains emerged from homozygous ARQ and VRQ scrapie isolates passaged in wild-type and ovine PrP transgenic mice. However, strain-specific PrP(Sc) deposition and PrP27-30 molecular profile patterns were identified in ovine PrP transgenic mice that were not detected in wild-type mice. Significantly, it was established that the individual mouse brain selected for transmission during prion strain typing had a significant influence on strain definition. Serial passage of short- and long-incubation-time animals from the same group of scrapie-inoculated mice revealed different prion strain phenotypes. These observations are consistent with the possibility that some scrapie isolates contain more than one prion strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alana M Thackray
- University of Cambridge, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Lee Hopkins
- University of Cambridge, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Richard Lockey
- Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Department of Pathology and Host Susceptibility, Weybridge, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - John Spiropoulos
- Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Department of Pathology and Host Susceptibility, Weybridge, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Raymond Bujdoso
- University of Cambridge, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK
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17
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Baron T, Bencsik A, Morignat E. Prions of ruminants show distinct splenotropisms in an ovine transgenic mouse model. PLoS One 2010; 5:e10310. [PMID: 20436680 PMCID: PMC2859945 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0010310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2009] [Accepted: 03/28/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Transmissible agents involved in prion diseases differ in their capacities to target different regions of the central nervous system and lymphoid tissues, which are also host-dependent. Methodology/Principal Findings Protease-resistant prion protein (PrPres) was analysed by Western blot in the spleen of transgenic mice (TgOvPrP4) that express the ovine prion protein under the control of the neuron-specific enolase promoter, after infection by intra-cerebral route with a variety of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) from cattle and small ruminants. Splenic PrPres was consistently detected in classical BSE and in most natural scrapie sources, the electrophoretic pattern showing similar features to that of cerebral PrPres. However splenic PrPres was not detected in L-type BSE and TME-in-cattle, or in the CH1641 experimental scrapie isolate, indicating that some TSE strains showed reduced splenotropism in the ovine transgenic mice. In contrast with CH1641, PrPres was also consistently detected in the spleen of mice infected with six natural “CH1641-like” scrapie isolates, but then showed clearly different molecular features from those identified in the brains (unglycosylated PrPres at ∼18 kDa with removal of the 12B2 epitope) of ovine transgenic mice or of sheep. These features included different cleavage of the main PrPres cleavage product (unglycosylated PrPres at ∼19 kDa with preservation of the 12B2 epitope) and absence of the additional C-terminally cleaved PrPres product (unglycosylated form at ∼14 kDa) that was detected in the brain. Conclusion/Significance Studies in a transgenic mouse model expressing the sheep prion protein revealed different capacities of ruminant prions to propagate in the spleen. They showed unexpected features in “CH1641-like” ovine scrapie suggesting that such isolates contain mixed conformers with distinct capacities to propagate in the brain or lymphoid tissues of these mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thierry Baron
- Agence Française de Sécurité Sanitaire des Aliments - Lyon, Unité ATNC, Lyon, France.
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18
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Transmissibility of atypical scrapie in ovine transgenic mice: major effects of host prion protein expression and donor prion genotype. PLoS One 2009; 4:e7300. [PMID: 19806224 PMCID: PMC2752806 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0007300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2009] [Accepted: 09/04/2009] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Atypical scrapie or Nor98 has been identified as a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) that is clearly distinguishable from classical scrapie and BSE, notably regarding the biochemical features of the protease-resistant prion protein PrPres and the genetic factors involved in susceptibility to the disease. In this study we transmitted the disease from a series of 12 French atypical scrapie isolates in a transgenic mouse model (TgOvPrP4) overexpressing in the brain ∼0.25, 1.5 or 6× the levels of the PrPARQ ovine prion protein under the control of the neuron-specific enolase promoter. We used an approach based on serum PrPc measurements that appeared to reflect the different PrPc expression levels in the central nervous system. We found that transmission of atypical scrapie, much more than in classical scrapie or BSE, was strongly influenced by the PrPc expression levels of TgOvPrP4 inoculated mice. Whereas TgOvPrP4 mice overexpressing ∼6× the normal PrPc level died after a survival periods of 400 days, those with ∼1.5× the normal PrPc level died at around 700 days. The transmission of atypical scrapie in TgOvPrP4 mouse line was also strongly influenced by the prnp genotypes of the animal source of atypical scrapie. Isolates carrying the AF141RQ or AHQ alleles, associated with increased disease susceptibility in the natural host, showed a higher transmissibility in TgOvPrP4 mice. The biochemical analysis of PrPres in TgOvPrP4 mouse brains showed a fully conserved pattern, compared to that in the natural host, with three distinct PrPres products. Our results throw light on the transmission features of atypical scrapie and suggest that the risk of transmission is intrinsically lower than that of classical scrapie or BSE, especially in relation to the expression level of the prion protein.
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19
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Bencsik A, Debeer S, Petit T, Baron T. Possible case of maternal transmission of feline spongiform encephalopathy in a captive cheetah. PLoS One 2009; 4:e6929. [PMID: 19738899 PMCID: PMC2732902 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0006929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2009] [Accepted: 08/12/2009] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Feline spongiform encephalopathy (FSE) is considered to be related to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and has been reported in domestic cats as well as in captive wild cats including cheetahs, first in the United Kingdom (UK) and then in other European countries. In France, several cases were described in cheetahs either imported from UK or born in France. Here we report details of two other FSE cases in captive cheetah including a 2(nd) case of FSE in a cheetah born in France, most likely due to maternal transmission. Complete prion protein immunohistochemical study on both brains and peripheral organs showed the close likeness between the two cases. In addition, transmission studies to the TgOvPrP4 mouse line were also performed, for comparison with the transmission of cattle BSE. The TgOvPrP4 mouse brains infected with cattle BSE and cheetah FSE revealed similar vacuolar lesion profiles, PrP(d) brain mapping with occurrence of typical florid plaques. Collectively, these data indicate that they harbor the same strain of agent as the cattle BSE agent. This new observation may have some impact on our knowledge of vertical transmission of BSE agent-linked TSEs such as in housecat FSE, or vCJD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Bencsik
- Unité ATNC, Agence Française de Sécurité Sanitaire des Aliments (AFSSA), Lyon, France.
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20
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Di Bari MA, Chianini F, Vaccari G, Esposito E, Conte M, Eaton SL, Hamilton S, Finlayson J, Steele PJ, Dagleish MP, Reid HW, Bruce M, Jeffrey M, Agrimi U, Nonno R. The bank vole (Myodes glareolus) as a sensitive bioassay for sheep scrapie. J Gen Virol 2009; 89:2975-2985. [PMID: 19008382 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.2008/005520-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite intensive studies on sheep scrapie, a number of questions remain unanswered, such as the natural mode of transmission and the amount of infectivity which accumulates in edible tissues at different stages of scrapie infection. Studies using the mouse model proved to be useful for recognizing scrapie strain diversity, but the low sensitivity of mice to some natural scrapie isolates hampered further investigations. To investigate the sensitivity of bank voles (Myodes glareolus) to scrapie, we performed end-point titrations from two unrelated scrapie sources. Similar titres [10(5.5) ID50 U g(-1) and 10(5.8) ID50 U g(-1), both intracerebrally (i.c.)] were obtained, showing that voles can detect infectivity up to 3-4 orders of magnitude lower when compared with laboratory mice. We further investigated the relationships between PrPSc molecular characteristics, strain and prion titre in the brain and tonsil of the same scrapie-affected sheep. We found that protease-resistant PrPSc fragments (PrPres) from brain and tonsil had different molecular features, but induced identical disease phenotypes in voles. The infectivity titre of the tonsil estimated by incubation time assay was 10(4.8) i.c. ID50 U g(-1), i.e. fivefold less than the brain. This compared well with the relative PrPres content, which was 8.8-fold less in tonsil than in brain. Our results suggest that brain and tonsil harboured the same prion strain showing different glycoprofiles in relation to the different cellular/tissue types in which it replicated, and that a PrPSc-based estimate of scrapie infectivity in sheep tissues could be achieved by combining sensitive PrPres detection methods and bioassay in voles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Angelo Di Bari
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Chianini
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Gabriele Vaccari
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Esposito
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Michela Conte
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Samantha L Eaton
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Scott Hamilton
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Jeanie Finlayson
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Philip J Steele
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Mark P Dagleish
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Hugh W Reid
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Moira Bruce
- Neuropathogenesis Unit, Roslin Institute, Ogston Building, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JF, UK
| | - Martin Jeffrey
- Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA-Lasswade), Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Umberto Agrimi
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Romolo Nonno
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
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Molecular and transmission characteristics of primary-passaged ovine scrapie isolates in conventional and ovine PrP transgenic mice. J Virol 2008; 82:11197-207. [PMID: 18768980 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01454-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A more complete assessment of ovine prion strain diversity will be achieved by complementing biological strain typing in conventional and ovine PrP transgenic mice with a biochemical analysis of the resultant PrPSc. This will provide a correlation between ovine prion strain phenotype and the molecular nature of different PrP conformers associated with particular prion strains. Here, we have compared the molecular and transmission characteristics of ovine ARQ/ARQ and VRQ/VRQ scrapie isolates following primary passage in tg338 (VRQ) and tg59 (ARQ) ovine PrP transgenic mice and the conventional mouse lines C57BL/6 (Prnp(a)), RIII (Prnp(a)), and VM (Prnp(b)). Our data show that these different genotypes of scrapie isolates display similar incubation periods of >350 days in conventional and tg59 mice. Facilitated transmission of sheep scrapie isolates occurred in tg338 mice, with incubation times reduced to 64 days for VRQ/VRQ inocula and to </=210 days for ARQ/ARQ samples. Distinct genotype-specific lesion profiles were seen in the brains of conventional and tg59 mice with prion disease, which was accompanied by the accumulation of more conformationally stable PrPSc, following inoculation with ARQ/ARQ compared to VRQ/VRQ scrapie isolates. In contrast, the lesion profiles, quantities, and stability of PrPSc induced by the same inocula in tg338 mice were more similar than in the other mouse lines. Our data show that primary transmission of different genotypes of ovine prions is associated with the formation of different conformers of PrPSc with distinct molecular properties and provide the basis of a molecular approach to identify the true diversity of ovine prion strains.
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22
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Baron T, Bencsik A, Vulin J, Biacabe AG, Morignat E, Verchere J, Betemps D. A C-terminal protease-resistant prion fragment distinguishes ovine "CH1641-like" scrapie from bovine classical and L-Type BSE in ovine transgenic mice. PLoS Pathog 2008; 4:e1000137. [PMID: 18769714 PMCID: PMC2516186 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1000137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2008] [Accepted: 07/31/2008] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The protease-resistant prion protein (PrP(res)) of a few natural scrapie isolates identified in sheep, reminiscent of the experimental isolate CH1641 derived from a British natural scrapie case, showed partial molecular similarities to ovine bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Recent discovery of an atypical form of BSE in cattle, L-type BSE or BASE, suggests that also this form of BSE might have been transmitted to sheep. We studied by Western blot the molecular features of PrP(res) in four "CH1641-like" natural scrapie isolates after transmission in an ovine transgenic model (TgOvPrP4), to see if "CH1641-like" isolates might be linked to L-type BSE. We found less diglycosylated PrP(res) than in classical BSE, but similar glycoform proportions and apparent molecular masses of the usual PrP(res) form (PrP(res) #1) to L-type BSE. However, the "CH1641-like" isolates differed from both L-type and classical BSE by an abundant, C-terminally cleaved PrP(res) product (PrP(res) #2) specifically recognised by a C-terminal antibody (SAF84). Differential immunoprecipitation of PrP(res) #1 and PrP(res) #2 resulted in enrichment in PrP(res) #2, and demonstrated the presence of mono- and diglycosylated PrP(res) products. PrP(res) #2 could not be obtained from several experimental scrapie sources (SSBP1, 79A, Chandler, C506M3) in TgOvPrP4 mice, but was identified in the 87V scrapie strain and, in lower and variable proportions, in 5 of 5 natural scrapie isolates with different molecular features to CH1641. PrP(res) #2 identification provides an additional method for the molecular discrimination of prion strains, and demonstrates differences between "CH1641-like" ovine scrapie and bovine L-type BSE transmitted in an ovine transgenic mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thierry Baron
- Agence Française de Sécurité Sanitaire des Aliments-Lyon, Unité ATNC, Lyon, France.
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Baron T, Bencsik A, Biacabe AG, Morignat E, Bessen RA. Phenotypic similarity of transmissible mink encephalopathy in cattle and L-type bovine spongiform encephalopathy in a mouse model. Emerg Infect Dis 2008. [PMID: 18258040 PMCID: PMC2876762 DOI: 10.3201/eid13112.070635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
L-type BSE is a more likely candidate for the origin of TME than typical BSE. Transmissible mink encepholapathy (TME) is a foodborne transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) of ranch-raised mink; infection with a ruminant TSE has been proposed as the cause, but the precise origin of TME is unknown. To compare the phenotypes of each TSE, bovine-passaged TME isolate and 3 distinct natural bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) agents (typical BSE, H-type BSE, and L-type BSE) were inoculated into an ovine transgenic mouse line (TgOvPrP4). Transgenic mice were susceptible to infection with bovine-passaged TME, typical BSE, and L-type BSE but not to H-type BSE. Based on survival periods, brain lesions profiles, disease-associated prion protein brain distribution, and biochemical properties of protease-resistant prion protein, typical BSE had a distint phenotype in ovine transgenic mice compared to L-type BSE and bovine TME. The similar phenotypic properties of L-type BSE and bovine TME in TgOvPrP4 mice suggest that L-type BSE is a much more likely candidate for the origin of TME than is typical BSE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thierry Baron
- Agence Française de Sécurité Sanitaire des Aliments-Lyon, Lyon, France.
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Simmons MM, Spiropoulos J, Hawkins SAC, Bellworthy SJ, Tongue SC. Approaches to investigating transmission of spongiform encephalopathies in domestic animals using BSE as an example. Vet Res 2008; 39:34. [PMID: 18284911 DOI: 10.1051/vetres:2008011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2007] [Accepted: 02/12/2008] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy was a novel spongiform encephalopathy, in an hitherto unaffected species, that had characteristics of a point source epidemic, with an agent that could have been incorporated into a wide variety of feedstuffs and iatrogenically administered to naïve populations, and there was early evidence that it was not restricted to bovines. It was vital to establish, albeit experimentally, which other species might be affected, and whether the epidemic could be maintained by natural transmission, if the source was removed. In contrast, scrapie has been endemic throughout Great Britain for centuries, is maintained naturally (even if we don't know exactly how) and has a known host range. The principles, process and integration of evidence from different types of studies, however, are similar for both of these transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) and can be applied to any emerging or suspected spongiform encephalopathy. This review discusses the experimental approaches used to determine TSE transmissibility and infectivity and how they relate to natural disease and control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Mathieson Simmons
- Pathology Department, Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK.
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Groschup MH, Buschmann A. Rodent models for prion diseases. Vet Res 2008; 39:32. [PMID: 18284909 DOI: 10.1051/vetres:2008008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2007] [Accepted: 01/15/2008] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Until today most prion strains can only be propagated and the infectivity content assayed by experimentally challenging conventional or transgenic animals. Robust cell culture systems are not available for any of the natural and only for a few of the experimental prion strains. Moreover, the pathogenesis of different transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) can be analysed systematically by using experimentally infected animals. While, in the beginning, animals belonging to the natural host species were used, more and more rodent model species have been established, mostly due to practical reasons. Nowadays, most of these experiments are performed using highly susceptible transgenic mouse lines expressing cellular prion proteins, PrP, from a variety of species like cattle, sheep, goat, cervidae, elk, hamster, mouse, mink, pig, and man. In addition, transgenic mice carrying specific mutations or polymorphisms have helped to understand the molecular pathomechanisms of prion diseases. Transgenic mouse models have been utilised to investigate the physiological role of PrP(C), molecular aspects of species barrier effects, the cell specificity of the prion propagation, the role of the PrP glycosylation, the mechanisms of the prion spread, the neuropathological roles of PrP(C) and of its abnormal isoform PrP(D) (D for disease) as well as the function of PrP Doppel. Transgenic mouse models have also been used for mapping of PrP regions involved in or required for the PrP conversion and prion replication as well as for modelling of familial forms of human prion diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin H Groschup
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut , Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany.
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Abstract
Prions represent a new biological paradigm of protein-mediated information transfer. In mammals, prions are the cause of fatal, transmissible neurodegenerative diseases, often referred to as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. Many unresolved issues remain, including the exact molecular nature of the prion, the detailed mechanism of prion propagation, and the mechanism by which prion diseases can be both genetic and infectious. In addition, we know little about the mechanism by which neurons degenerate during prion diseases. Tied to this, the physiological function of the normal form of the prion protein remains unclear, and it is uncertain whether loss of this function contributes to prion pathogenesis. The factors governing the transmission of prions between species remain unclear, in particular the means by which prion strains and PrP primary structure interact to affect interspecies prion transmission. Despite all these unknowns, dramatic advances in our understanding of prions have occurred because of their transmissibility to experimental animals and the development of transgenic mouse models has done much to further our understanding about various aspects of prion biology. In this chapter, I review recent advances in our understanding of prion biology that derive from this powerful and informative approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glenn C Telling
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, Sanders Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
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Baron T, Bencsik A, Biacabe AG, Morignat E, Bessen RA. Phenotypic Similarity of Transmissible Mink Encephalopathy in Cattle and L-type Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy in a Mouse Model. Emerg Infect Dis 2007; 13:1887-94. [DOI: 10.3201/eid1312.070635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Thierry Baron
- Agence Française de Sécurité Sanitaire des Aliments–Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Anna Bencsik
- Agence Française de Sécurité Sanitaire des Aliments–Lyon, Lyon, France
| | | | - Eric Morignat
- Agence Française de Sécurité Sanitaire des Aliments–Lyon, Lyon, France
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Baron T, Biacabe AG. Molecular behaviors of "CH1641-like" sheep scrapie isolates in ovine transgenic mice (TgOvPrP4). J Virol 2007; 81:7230-7. [PMID: 17442721 PMCID: PMC1933328 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02475-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular analyses of the protease-resistant prion protein (PrP(res)) from a few natural scrapie isolates showed by Western blotting some partial similarities with those observed in experimental ovine bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). They showed a low apparent molecular mass of unglycosylated PrP(res), although diglycosylated PrP(res) was less abundant than in ovine BSE. The prototype of such cases is the CH1641 experimental scrapie isolate. We analyzed PrP(res) molecular features from three French natural "CH1641-like" isolates, in comparison with CH1641 and BSE, after transmission of the disease in ovine transgenic mice (TgOvPrP4). One of these isolates (TR316211) behaved like the CH1641 isolate, with PrP(res) features in mice similar to those in the sheep brain. From two other isolates (O100 and O104), two distinct PrP(res) phenotypes were identified in mouse brains, with either high (h-type) or low (l-type) apparent molecular masses of unglycosylated PrP(res), the latter being similar to that observed with CH1641, TR316211, or BSE. Both phenotypes could be found in variable proportions in the brains of the individual mice. In contrast with BSE, l-type PrP(res) from "CH1641-like" isolates showed lower levels of diglycosylated PrP(res). From one of these cases (O104), a second passage in mice was performed for two mice with distinct PrP(res) profiles. This showed a partial selection of the l-type phenotype in mice infected with a mouse brain with predominant l-type PrP(res), and it was accompanied by a significant increase in the proportions of the diglycosylated band. These results are discussed in relation to the diversity of scrapie and BSE strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thierry Baron
- Agence Française de Sécurité Sanitaire des Aliments-Lyon, Unité ATNC, Lyon, France.
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Opinion of the Scientific Panel on biological hazards (BIOHAZ) on the quantitative risk assessment on the residual BSE risk in sheep meat and meat products. EFSA J 2007. [DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2007.442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
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