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Wagner K, Pierce R, Gordon E, Hay A, Lessard A, Telling GC, Ballard JR, Moreno JA, Zabel MD. Tissue-specific biochemical differences between chronic wasting disease prions isolated from free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101834. [PMID: 35304100 PMCID: PMC9019250 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an invariably fatal prion disease affecting cervid species worldwide. Prions can manifest as distinct strains that can influence disease pathology and transmission. CWD is profoundly lymphotropic, and most infected cervids likely shed peripheral prions replicated in lymphoid organs. However, CWD is a neurodegenerative disease, and most research on prion strains has focused on neurogenic prions. Thus, a knowledge gap exists comparing neurogenic prions to lymphogenic prions. In this study, we compared prions from the obex and lymph nodes of naturally exposed white-tailed deer to identify potential biochemical strain differences. Here, we report biochemical evidence of strain differences between the brain and lymph node from these animals. Conformational stability assays, glycoform ratio analyses, and immunoreactivity scanning across the structured domain of the prion protein that refolds into the amyloid aggregate of the infectious prion reveal significantly more structural and glycoform variation in lymphogenic prions than neurogenic prions. Surprisingly, we observed greater biochemical differences among neurogenic prions than lymphogenic prions across individuals. We propose that the lymphoreticular system propagates a diverse array of prions from which the brain selects a more restricted pool of prions that may be quite different than those from another individual of the same species. Future work should examine the biological and zoonotic impact of these biochemical differences and examine more cervids from multiple locations to determine if these differences are conserved across species and locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlyn Wagner
- Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA,Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Robyn Pierce
- Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA,Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Elizabeth Gordon
- Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA,Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Arielle Hay
- Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA,Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Avery Lessard
- Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA,Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Glenn C. Telling
- Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA,Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Jennifer R. Ballard
- Research Division, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Julie A. Moreno
- Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA,Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Mark D. Zabel
- Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA,Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA,For correspondence: Mark D. Zabel
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2
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Mammadova N, Cassmann ED, Moore SJ, Nicholson EM, Greenlee JJ. Experimental inoculation of CD11c + B1 lymphocytes, CD68 + macrophages, or platelet-rich plasma from scrapie-infected sheep into susceptible sheep results in variable infectivity. Access Microbiol 2020; 2:acmi000155. [PMID: 33195984 PMCID: PMC7656192 DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Many studies have demonstrated prion infectivity in whole blood and blood components in a variety of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies of livestock and rodents, and variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease in humans, as well as an association between pathogenic prion protein (PrPSc) and different immune cells (e.g. follicular dendritic cells, T and B lymphocytes, monocytes and tingible body macrophages). To further investigate the role of various blood components in prion disease transmission, we intracranially inoculated genetically susceptible VRQ/ARQ and ARQ/ARQ sheep with inocula composed of CD11c+ B1 lymphocytes, CD68 +macrophages, or platelet-rich plasma derived from clinically ill sheep infected with the US no. 13–7 scrapie agent. At the completion of the study, we found that VRQ/ARQ and ARQ/ARQ sheep inoculated with CD11c+ B1 lymphocytes and CD68+ macrophages developed scrapie with detectable levels of PrPSc in the central nervous system and lymphoreticular system, while those inoculated with platelet-rich plasma did not develop disease and did not have detectable PrPSc by immunohistochemistry or enzyme immunoassay. This study complements and expands on earlier findings that white blood cells harbour prion infectivity, and reports CD11c+ B1 lymphocytes and CD68+ macrophages as additional targets for possible preclinical detection of prion infection in blood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najiba Mammadova
- Virus and Prion Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, USA.,Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) through an interagency agreement between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). ORISE is managed by ORAU under DOE contract number DE-SC0014664
| | - Eric D Cassmann
- Virus and Prion Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, USA.,Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) through an interagency agreement between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). ORISE is managed by ORAU under DOE contract number DE-SC0014664
| | - S Jo Moore
- Virus and Prion Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, USA.,Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) through an interagency agreement between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). ORISE is managed by ORAU under DOE contract number DE-SC0014664
| | - Eric M Nicholson
- Virus and Prion Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Justin J Greenlee
- Virus and Prion Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, USA
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3
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Mabbott NA, Bradford BM, Pal R, Young R, Donaldson DS. The Effects of Immune System Modulation on Prion Disease Susceptibility and Pathogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E7299. [PMID: 33023255 PMCID: PMC7582561 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are a unique group of infectious chronic neurodegenerative disorders to which there are no cures. Although prion infections do not stimulate adaptive immune responses in infected individuals, the actions of certain immune cell populations can have a significant impact on disease pathogenesis. After infection, the targeting of peripherally-acquired prions to specific immune cells in the secondary lymphoid organs (SLO), such as the lymph nodes and spleen, is essential for the efficient transmission of disease to the brain. Once the prions reach the brain, interactions with other immune cell populations can provide either host protection or accelerate the neurodegeneration. In this review, we provide a detailed account of how factors such as inflammation, ageing and pathogen co-infection can affect prion disease pathogenesis and susceptibility. For example, we discuss how changes to the abundance, function and activation status of specific immune cell populations can affect the transmission of prion diseases by peripheral routes. We also describe how the effects of systemic inflammation on certain glial cell subsets in the brains of infected individuals can accelerate the neurodegeneration. A detailed understanding of the factors that affect prion disease transmission and pathogenesis is essential for the development of novel intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil A. Mabbott
- The Roslin Institute & Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK; (B.M.B.); (R.P.); (R.Y.); (D.S.D.)
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4
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Bradford BM, Mabbott NA. Unaltered intravenous prion disease pathogenesis in the temporary absence of marginal zone B cells. Sci Rep 2019; 9:19119. [PMID: 31836813 PMCID: PMC6910919 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-55772-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are a unique, infectious, neurodegenerative disorders that can affect animals and humans. Data from mouse transmissions show that efficient infection of the host after intravenous (IV) prion exposure is dependent upon the early accumulation and amplification of the prions on stromal follicular dendritic cells (FDC) in the B cell follicles. How infectious prions are initially conveyed from the blood-stream to the FDC in the spleen is uncertain. Addressing this issue is important as susceptibility to peripheral prion infections can be reduced by treatments that prevent the early accumulation of prions upon FDC. The marginal zone (MZ) in the spleen contains specialized subsets of B cells and macrophages that are positioned to continuously monitor the blood-stream and remove pathogens, toxins and apoptotic cells. The continual shuttling of MZ B cells between the MZ and the B-cell follicle enables them to efficiently capture and deliver blood-borne antigens and antigen-containing immune complexes to splenic FDC. We tested the hypothesis that MZ B cells also play a role in the initial shuttling of prions from the blood-stream to FDC. MZ B cells were temporarily depleted from the MZ by antibody-mediated blocking of integrin function. We show that depletion of MZ B cells around the time of IV prion exposure did not affect the early accumulation of blood-borne prions upon splenic FDC or reduce susceptibility to IV prion infection. In conclusion, our data suggest that the initial delivery of blood-borne prions to FDC in the spleen occurs independently of MZ B cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry M Bradford
- The Roslin Institute & Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Neil A Mabbott
- The Roslin Institute & Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, EH25 9RG, UK.
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5
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Bender H, Noyes N, Annis JL, Hitpas A, Mollnow L, Croak K, Kane S, Wagner K, Dow S, Zabel M. PrPC knockdown by liposome-siRNA-peptide complexes (LSPCs) prolongs survival and normal behavior of prion-infected mice immunotolerant to treatment. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0219995. [PMID: 31329627 PMCID: PMC6645518 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are members of neurodegenerative protein misfolding diseases (NPMDs) that include Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, tauopathies, traumatic brain injuries, and chronic traumatic encephalopathies. No known therapeutics extend survival or improve quality of life of humans afflicted with prion disease. We and others developed a new approach to NPMD therapy based on reducing the amount of the normal, host-encoded protein available as substrate for misfolding into pathologic forms, using RNA interference, a catabolic pathway that decreases levels of mRNA encoding a particular protein. We developed a therapeutic delivery system consisting of small interfering RNA (siRNA) complexed to liposomes and addressed to the central nervous system using a targeting peptide derived from rabies virus glycoprotein. These liposome-siRNA-peptide complexes (LSPCs) cross the blood-brain barrier and deliver PrP siRNA to neuronal cells to decrease expression of the normal cellular prion protein, PrPC, which acts as a substrate for prion replication. Here we show that LSPCs can extend survival and improve behavior of prion-infected mice that remain immunotolerant to treatment. LSPC treatment may be a viable therapy for prion and other NPMDs that can improve the quality of life of patients at terminal disease stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather Bender
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States of America
| | - Noelle Noyes
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States of America
| | - Jessica L. Annis
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Amanda Hitpas
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Luke Mollnow
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Kendra Croak
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Sarah Kane
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Kaitlyn Wagner
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Steven Dow
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
- Center for Immune and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Mark Zabel
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
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Sigurdson CJ, Bartz JC, Glatzel M. Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Prion Disease. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PATHOLOGY-MECHANISMS OF DISEASE 2018; 14:497-516. [PMID: 30355150 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pathmechdis-012418-013109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Prion diseases are rapidly progressive, incurable neurodegenerative disorders caused by misfolded, aggregated proteins known as prions, which are uniquely infectious. Remarkably, these infectious proteins have been responsible for widespread disease epidemics, including kuru in humans, bovine spongiform encephalopathy in cattle, and chronic wasting disease in cervids, the latter of which has spread across North America and recently appeared in Norway and Finland. The hallmark histopathological features include widespread spongiform encephalopathy, neuronal loss, gliosis, and deposits of variably sized aggregated prion protein, ranging from small, soluble oligomers to long, thin, unbranched fibrils, depending on the disease. Here, we explore recent advances in prion disease research, from the function of the cellular prion protein to the dysfunction triggering neurotoxicity, as well as mechanisms underlying prion spread between cells. We also highlight key findings that have revealed new therapeutic targets and consider unanswered questions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina J Sigurdson
- Departments of Pathology and Medicine, UC San Diego School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA;
| | - Jason C Bartz
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska 68178, USA
| | - Markus Glatzel
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
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8
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Mabbott NA. How do PrP Sc Prions Spread between Host Species, and within Hosts? Pathogens 2017; 6:pathogens6040060. [PMID: 29186791 PMCID: PMC5750584 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens6040060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Revised: 11/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are sub-acute neurodegenerative diseases that affect humans and some domestic and free-ranging animals. Infectious prion agents are considered to comprise solely of abnormally folded isoforms of the cellular prion protein known as PrPSc. Pathology during prion disease is restricted to the central nervous system where it causes extensive neurodegeneration and ultimately leads to the death of the host. The first half of this review provides a thorough account of our understanding of the various ways in which PrPSc prions may spread between individuals within a population, both horizontally and vertically. Many natural prion diseases are acquired peripherally, such as by oral exposure, lesions to skin or mucous membranes, and possibly also via the nasal cavity. Following peripheral exposure, some prions accumulate to high levels within the secondary lymphoid organs as they make their journey from the site of infection to the brain, a process termed neuroinvasion. The replication of PrPSc prions within secondary lymphoid organs is important for their efficient spread to the brain. The second half of this review describes the key tissues, cells and molecules which are involved in the propagation of PrPSc prions from peripheral sites of exposure (such as the lumen of the intestine) to the brain. This section also considers how additional factors such as inflammation and aging might influence prion disease susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil A Mabbott
- The Roslin Institute & Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
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9
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Relative Impact of Complement Receptors CD21/35 (Cr2/1) on Scrapie Pathogenesis in Mice. mSphere 2017; 2:mSphere00493-17. [PMID: 29202042 PMCID: PMC5700378 DOI: 10.1128/mspheredirect.00493-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammalian prion diseases are caused by prions, unique infectious agents composed primarily, if not solely, of a pathologic, misfolded form of a normal host protein, the cellular prion protein (PrPC). Prions replicate without a genetic blueprint, but rather contact PrPC and coerce it to misfold into more prions, which cause neurodegeneration akin to other protein-misfolding diseases like Alzheimer’s disease. A single gene produces two alternatively spliced mRNA transcripts that encode mouse complement receptors CD21/35, which promote efficient prion replication in the lymphoid system and eventual movement to the brain. Here we show that CD21/35 are high-affinity prion receptors, but mice expressing only CD21 die from prion disease sooner than CD35-expressing mice, which contain less prions early after infection and exhibit delayed terminal disease, likely due to their less organized splenic follicles. Thus, CD21 appears to be more important for defining splenic architecture that influences prion pathogenesis. Complement receptors 1 and 2 (CR1/2 or CD35/CD21) recognize complement-opsonized antigens to initiate innate and adaptive immunity, respectively. CD35 stimulates phagocytosis on macrophages and antigen presentation on follicular dendritic cells (FDCs). CD21 helps activate B cells as part of the B cell coreceptor with CD19 and CD81. Differential splicing of transcripts from the mouse Cr2 gene generates isoforms with both shared and unique complement binding capacities and cell-type expression. In mouse models, genetic depletion of Cr2 causes either a delay or complete prevention of prion disease, but the relative importance of CD35 versus CD21 in promoting prion disease remains unknown. Here we show that both isoforms act as high-affinity cell surface prion receptors. However, mice lacking CD21 succumbed to terminal prion disease significantly later than mice lacking CD35 or wild-type and hemizygous mice. CD21-deficient mice contained fewer splenic prions than CD35 knockout mice early after infection that contributed to delayed prion neuroinvasion and terminal disease, despite forming follicular networks closer to proximal nerves. While we observed no difference in B cell networks, PrPC expression, or number of follicles, CD21-deficient mice formed more fragmented, less organized follicular networks with fewer Mfge8-positive FDCs and/or tingible body macrophages (TBMφs) than wild-type or CD35-deficient mice. In toto, these data demonstrate a more prominent role for CD21 for proper follicular development and organization leading to more efficient lymphoid prion replication and expedited prion disease than in mice expressing the CD35 isoform. IMPORTANCE Mammalian prion diseases are caused by prions, unique infectious agents composed primarily, if not solely, of a pathologic, misfolded form of a normal host protein, the cellular prion protein (PrPC). Prions replicate without a genetic blueprint, but rather contact PrPC and coerce it to misfold into more prions, which cause neurodegeneration akin to other protein-misfolding diseases like Alzheimer’s disease. A single gene produces two alternatively spliced mRNA transcripts that encode mouse complement receptors CD21/35, which promote efficient prion replication in the lymphoid system and eventual movement to the brain. Here we show that CD21/35 are high-affinity prion receptors, but mice expressing only CD21 die from prion disease sooner than CD35-expressing mice, which contain less prions early after infection and exhibit delayed terminal disease, likely due to their less organized splenic follicles. Thus, CD21 appears to be more important for defining splenic architecture that influences prion pathogenesis.
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Kane SJ, Farley TK, Gordon EO, Estep J, Bender HR, Moreno JA, Bartz J, Telling GC, Pickering MC, Zabel MD. Complement Regulatory Protein Factor H Is a Soluble Prion Receptor That Potentiates Peripheral Prion Pathogenesis. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 199:3821-3827. [PMID: 29070671 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1701100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 09/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Several complement proteins exacerbate prion disease, including C3, C1q, and CD21/35. These proteins of the complement cascade likely increase uptake, trafficking, and retention of prions in the lymphoreticular system, hallmark sites of early prion propagation. Complement regulatory protein factor H (fH) binds modified host proteins and lipids to prevent C3b deposition and, thus, autoimmune cell lysis. Previous reports show that fH binds various conformations of the cellular prion protein, leading us to question the role of fH in prion disease. In this article, we report that transgenic mice lacking Cfh alleles exhibit delayed peripheral prion accumulation, replication, and pathogenesis and onset of terminal disease in a gene-dose manner. We also report a biophysical interaction between purified fH and prion rods enriched from prion-diseased brain. fH also influences prion deposition in brains of infected mice. We conclude from these data and previous findings that the interplay between complement and prions likely involves a complex balance of prion sequestration and destruction via local tissue macrophages, prion trafficking by B and dendritic cells within the lymphoreticular system, intranodal prion replication by B and follicular dendritic cells, and potential prion strain selection by CD21/35 and fH. These findings reveal a novel role for complement-regulatory proteins in prion disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Kane
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523
| | - Taylor K Farley
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523.,National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Elizabeth O Gordon
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523
| | - Joshua Estep
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523
| | - Heather R Bender
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523
| | - Julie A Moreno
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523
| | - Jason Bartz
- School of Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178; and
| | - Glenn C Telling
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523
| | - Matthew C Pickering
- Department of Medicine, Centre for Complement and Inflammation Research, Imperial College, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom
| | - Mark D Zabel
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523;
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Let's make microglia great again in neurodegenerative disorders. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2017; 125:751-770. [PMID: 29027011 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-017-1792-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
All of the common neurodegenerative disorders-Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and prion diseases-are characterized by accumulation of misfolded proteins that trigger activation of microglia; brain-resident mononuclear phagocytes. This chronic form of neuroinflammation is earmarked by increased release of myriad cytokines and chemokines in patient brains and biofluids. Microglial phagocytosis is compromised early in the disease process, obfuscating clearance of abnormal proteins. This review identifies immune pathologies shared by the major neurodegenerative disorders. The overarching concept is that aberrant innate immune pathways can be targeted for return to homeostasis in hopes of coaxing microglia into clearing neurotoxic misfolded proteins.
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Mabbott NA. Immunology of Prion Protein and Prions. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2017; 150:203-240. [PMID: 28838662 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2017.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Many natural prion diseases are acquired peripherally, such as following the oral consumption of contaminated food or pasture. After peripheral exposure many prion isolates initially accumulate to high levels within the host's secondary lymphoid tissues. The replication of prions within these tissues is essential for their efficient spread to the brain where they ultimately cause neurodegeneration. This chapter describes our current understanding of the critical tissues, cells, and molecules which the prions exploit to mediate their efficient propagation from the site of exposure (such as the intestine) to the brain. Interactions between the immune system and prions are not only restricted to the secondary lymphoid tissues. Therefore, an account of how the activation status of the microglial in the brain can also influence progression of prion disease pathogenesis is provided. Prion disease susceptibility may also be influenced by additional factors such as chronic inflammation, coinfection with other pathogens, and aging. Finally, the potential for immunotherapy to provide a means of safe and effective prophylactic or therapeutic intervention in these currently untreatable diseases is considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil A Mabbott
- The Roslin Institute & Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom.
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Oral Prion Disease Pathogenesis Is Impeded in the Specific Absence of CXCR5-Expressing Dendritic Cells. J Virol 2017; 91:JVI.00124-17. [PMID: 28275192 PMCID: PMC5411578 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00124-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
After oral exposure, the early replication of certain prion strains upon stromal cell-derived follicular dendritic cells (FDC) in the Peyer's patches in the small intestine is essential for the efficient spread of disease to the brain. However, little is known of how prions are initially conveyed from the gut lumen to establish infection on FDC. Our previous data suggest that mononuclear phagocytes such as CD11c+ conventional dendritic cells play an important role in the initial propagation of prions from the gut lumen into Peyer's patches. However, whether these cells conveyed orally acquired prions toward FDC within Peyer's patches was not known. The chemokine CXCL13 is expressed by FDC and follicular stromal cells and modulates the homing of CXCR5-expressing cells toward the FDC-containing B cell follicles. Here, novel compound transgenic mice were created in which a CXCR5 deficiency was specifically restricted to CD11c+ cells. These mice were used to determine whether CXCR5-expressing conventional dendritic cells propagate prions toward FDC after oral exposure. Our data show that in the specific absence of CXCR5-expressing conventional dendritic cells the early accumulation of prions upon FDC in Peyer's patches and the spleen was impaired, and disease susceptibility significantly reduced. These data suggest that CXCR5-expressing conventional dendritic cells play an important role in the efficient propagation of orally administered prions toward FDC within Peyer's patches in order to establish host infection.IMPORTANCE Many natural prion diseases are acquired by oral consumption of contaminated food or pasture. Once the prions reach the brain they cause extensive neurodegeneration, which ultimately leads to death. In order for the prions to efficiently spread from the gut to the brain, they first replicate upon follicular dendritic cells within intestinal Peyer's patches. How the prions are first delivered to follicular dendritic cells to establish infection was unknown. Understanding this process is important since treatments which prevent prions from infecting follicular dendritic cells can block their spread to the brain. We created mice in which mobile conventional dendritic cells were unable to migrate toward follicular dendritic cells. In these mice the early accumulation of prions on follicular dendritic cells was impaired and oral prion disease susceptibility was reduced. This suggests that prions exploit conventional dendritic cells to facilitate their initial delivery toward follicular dendritic cells to establish host infection.
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Prion pathogenesis is unaltered following down-regulation of SIGN-R1. Virology 2016; 497:337-345. [PMID: 27522473 PMCID: PMC5031137 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2016.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Revised: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Prion diseases are infectious neurodegenerative disorders characterised by accumulations of abnormal prion glycoprotein in affected tissues. Following peripheral exposure, many prion strains replicate upon follicular dendritic cells (FDC) in lymphoid tissues before infecting the brain. An intact splenic marginal zone is important for the efficient delivery of prions to FDC. The marginal zone contains a ring of specific intercellular adhesion molecule-3-grabbing non-integrin related 1 (SIGN-R1)-expressing macrophages. This lectin binds dextran and capsular pneumococcal polysaccharides, and also enhances the clearance of apoptotic cells via interactions with complement components. Since prions are acquired as complement-opsonized complexes we determined the role of SIGN-R1 in disease pathogenesis. We show that transient down-regulation of SIGN-R1 prior to intravenous prion exposure had no effect on the early accumulation of prions upon splenic FDC or their subsequent spread to the brain. Thus, SIGN-R1 expression by marginal zone macrophages is not rate-limiting for peripheral prion disease pathogenesis.
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Katorcha E, Daus ML, Gonzalez-Montalban N, Makarava N, Lasch P, Beekes M, Baskakov IV. Reversible off and on switching of prion infectivity via removing and reinstalling prion sialylation. Sci Rep 2016; 6:33119. [PMID: 27609323 PMCID: PMC5017131 DOI: 10.1038/srep33119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Accepted: 08/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The innate immune system provides the first line of defense against pathogens. To recognize pathogens, this system detects a number of molecular features that discriminate pathogens from host cells, including terminal sialylation of cell surface glycans. Mammalian cell surfaces, but generally not microbial cell surfaces, have sialylated glycans. Prions or PrPSc are proteinaceous pathogens that lack coding nucleic acids but do possess sialylated glycans. We proposed that sialylation of PrPSc is essential for evading innate immunity and infecting a host. In this study, the sialylation status of PrPSc was reduced by replicating PrPSc in serial Protein Misfolding Cyclic Amplification using sialidase-treated PrPC substrate and then restored to original levels by replication using non-treated substrate. Upon intracerebral administration, all animals that received PrPSc with original or restored sialylation levels were infected, whereas none of the animals that received PrPSc with reduced sialylation were infected. Moreover, brains and spleens of animals from the latter group were completely cleared of prions. The current work established that the ability of prions to infect the host via intracerebral administration depends on PrPSc sialylation status. Remarkably, PrPSc infectivity could be switched off and on in a reversible manner by first removing and then restoring PrPSc sialylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizaveta Katorcha
- Center for Biomedical Engineering and Technology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201 United States of America.,Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201 United States of America
| | - Martin L Daus
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch-Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Nuria Gonzalez-Montalban
- Center for Biomedical Engineering and Technology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201 United States of America.,Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201 United States of America
| | - Natallia Makarava
- Center for Biomedical Engineering and Technology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201 United States of America.,Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201 United States of America
| | - Peter Lasch
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch-Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Beekes
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch-Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ilia V Baskakov
- Center for Biomedical Engineering and Technology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201 United States of America.,Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201 United States of America
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16
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Hasebe R, Tanaka M, Suzuki A, Yamasaki T, Horiuchi M. Complement factors alter the amount of PrP(Sc) in primary-cultured mouse cortical neurons associated with increased membrane permeability. Virology 2016; 496:9-20. [PMID: 27236741 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2016.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2016] [Revised: 05/16/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
We examined the effects of complement factors on primary-cultured neurons infected with prions. The amount of protease K (PK)-resistant abnormal form of prion protein (PrP(Sc)) reached a maximum level at 12 and 16 days post exposure (dpe) in 22L- and Chandler-infected neurons, respectively. In Chandler-infected neurons, the reaction of complement factors C1q, C3 and C9 significantly increased membrane permeability. This was followed by a decrease of PK-resistant PrP(Sc) at 16 and 20dpe. In contrast, in 22L-infected neurons, the effects of complement factors were observed at 12 and 16dpe, but not at 20dpe. Membrane permeability also increased in 22L-infected neurons by reaction of complement factor C3, but interestingly, the amount of PK-resistant PrP(Sc) initially decreased, and then increased. These results suggest that the reactivity of complement factors in prion-infected neurons depends on the amount of PrP(Sc) and the prion strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rie Hasebe
- Laboratory of Veterinary Hygiene, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Nishi 9, Kita 18, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
| | - Misaki Tanaka
- Laboratory of Veterinary Hygiene, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Nishi 9, Kita 18, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
| | - Akio Suzuki
- Laboratory of Veterinary Hygiene, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Nishi 9, Kita 18, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
| | - Takeshi Yamasaki
- Laboratory of Veterinary Hygiene, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Nishi 9, Kita 18, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
| | - Motohiro Horiuchi
- Laboratory of Veterinary Hygiene, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Nishi 9, Kita 18, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan.
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Chen C, Lv Y, Shi Q, Zhou W, Xiao K, Sun J, Yang XD, Dong XP. Low activity of complement in the cerebrospinal fluid of the patients with various prion diseases. Infect Dis Poverty 2016; 5:35. [PMID: 27138196 PMCID: PMC4853859 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-016-0128-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2015] [Accepted: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The aim of this study was to analyze the state of activity and levels of complement in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with various prion diseases (PrDs). Findings The proteomic data emphasized the levels of 20 known complement components found in the CSF of the sCJD panel that were lower than those found in the non-PrD panel. 50 % of the complement hemolytic activity (CH50) assays revealed significantly lower activity of complement in the CSF of the sCJD panel. The decreased levels of three key complement subunits, C3a/α, C4β, and C9 in the CSF of the sCJD panel were verified by Western blots. Furthermore, the CH50 values in the CSF of 136 sCJD, 39 gCJD, 22 FFI and 145 non-CJD patients were individually tested. Compared with the control of non-PrD, the CH50 value in the CSF specimens of various PrDs, especially in three subtypes of inherited PrDs, were significantly lower. Relationship analysis identified that the CH50 activity in the CSF was negatively associated with the protein 14–3–3 positive in the CSF. Conclusion These results indicate a silent complement system in the CSF of PrD patients. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40249-016-0128-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cao Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chang-Bai Rd 155, Beijing, 102206, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Yan Lv
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chang-Bai Rd 155, Beijing, 102206, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Qi Shi
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chang-Bai Rd 155, Beijing, 102206, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chang-Bai Rd 155, Beijing, 102206, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Kang Xiao
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chang-Bai Rd 155, Beijing, 102206, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Jing Sun
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chang-Bai Rd 155, Beijing, 102206, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Xiao-Dong Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chang-Bai Rd 155, Beijing, 102206, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Xiao-Ping Dong
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chang-Bai Rd 155, Beijing, 102206, China. .,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China. .,Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
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18
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark D. Zabel
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Anne C. Avery
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
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Remarkable Activation of the Complement System and Aberrant Neuronal Localization of the Membrane Attack Complex in the Brain Tissues of Scrapie-Infected Rodents. Mol Neurobiol 2014; 52:1165-1179. [PMID: 25311207 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-014-8915-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2014] [Accepted: 09/28/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
As an integral part of the innate immunity, the complement system has been reported to involve in the pathogenesis of prion diseases (PrD). However, the states of expression and activity of complement proteins in experimental models of scrapie infection are still not fully understood. Herein, the state of complement activation, the presence, and distribution as well as localization of C3 and membrane attack complex (MAC) in the brains of several scrapie-infected rodents were comparatively assessed through various methodologies. Our data illustrated a significant increase in the total complement activity (CH50, U/ml) in several scrapie-infected rodent brains at the terminal stage and a time-dependent upregulation of C1q in 263K-infected hamsters during the incubation period, intimating the sustained and progressive activation of the classical pathway during PrD progression. Confocal microscopy revealed robust activation of C3 and its localization to various central nervous system (CNS) cells with differential morphology in the brain tissues of both 263K-infected hamsters and 139A-infected C57BL/6 mice at disease end stages. Dynamic analyses of MAC in the brains of 263K-infected hamsters and 139A-infected C57BL/6 mice demonstrated remarkably time-dependent deposition during the incubation period, which may highlight a persistently activated terminal complement components. Moreover, immunofluorescent assays (IFAs) showed that MAC-specific signals appeared to overlap with morphologically abnormal neurons rather than proliferative astrocytes or activated microglia throughout the CNS of both 263K-infected hamsters and 139A-infected C57BL/6 mice. Overall, these results indicate that the activation of the complement system and the subsequent localization of the complement components to neurons may be a hallmark during prion infection, which ultimately contribute to the neurodegeneration in PrD.
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20
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Bradford BM, Crocker PR, Mabbott NA. Peripheral prion disease pathogenesis is unaltered in the absence of sialoadhesin (Siglec-1/CD169). Immunology 2014; 143:120-9. [PMID: 24684244 PMCID: PMC4137961 DOI: 10.1111/imm.12294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2014] [Revised: 03/18/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Prions are a unique group of pathogens, which are considered to comprise solely of an abnormally folded isoform of the cellular prion protein. The accumulation and replication of prions within secondary lymphoid organs is important for their efficient spread from the periphery to the brain where they ultimately cause neurodegeneration and death. Mononuclear phagocytes (MNP) play key roles in prion disease pathogenesis. Some MNP appear to facilitate the propagation of prions to and within lymphoid tissues, whereas others may aid their clearance by phagocytosis and by destroying them. Our recent data show that an intact splenic marginal zone is important for the efficient delivery of prions into the B-cell follicles where they subsequently replicate upon follicular dendritic cells before infecting the nervous system. Sialoadhesin is an MNP-restricted cell adhesion molecule that binds sialylated glycoproteins. Sialoadhesin is constitutively expressed upon splenic marginal zone metallophilic and lymph node sub-capsular sinus macrophage populations, where it may function to bind sialylated glycoproteins, pathogens and exosomes in the blood and lymph via recognition of terminal sialic acid residues. As the prion glycoprotein is highly sialylated, we tested the hypothesis that sialoadhesin may influence prion disease pathogenesis. We show that after peripheral exposure, prion pathogenesis was unaltered in sialoadhesin-deficient mice; revealing that lymphoid sequestration of prions is not mediated via sialoadhesin. Hence, although an intact marginal zone is important for the efficient uptake and delivery of prions into the B-cell follicles of the spleen, this is not influenced by sialoadhesin expression by the MNP within it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry M Bradford
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of EdinburghMidlothian, UK
| | - Paul R Crocker
- College of Life Sciences, University of DundeeDundee, UK
| | - Neil A Mabbott
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of EdinburghMidlothian, UK,Correspondence: Dr Neil A. Mabbott, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK., , Senior author: Neil A. Mabbott
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21
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Close interactions between sympathetic neural fibres and follicular dendritic cells network are not altered in Peyer's patches and spleen of C57BL/6 mice during the preclinical stage of 139A scrapie infection. J Neuroimmunol 2014; 272:1-9. [PMID: 24841625 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2014.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2013] [Revised: 03/31/2014] [Accepted: 04/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
During preclinical stage of prion diseases, secondary lymphoid organs seem to play an important role in prion amplification prior the invasion of the associated peripheral nervous system. In mice, it was shown that the relative positioning of follicular dendritic cells (FDC) and sympathetic nervous system (SNS) affects the velocity of neuroinvasion following scrapie inoculation. In this study, we checked if scrapie infection, by oral or intraperitoneal route, could influence this neuroimmune interface between FDC and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) positive neural fibres within Peyer's patches (PP) and spleen of the C57BL/6 mouse strain. We concluded that, in vivo, scrapie 139A and ME7 strains do not modify FDC-SNS neuroimmune interface. However, age seems to alter this neuroimmune interface and thus could influence the neuroinvasion in prion pathogenesis.
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22
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Brown KL, Mabbott NA. Evidence of subclinical prion disease in aged mice following exposure to bovine spongiform encephalopathy. J Gen Virol 2014; 95:231-243. [PMID: 24123519 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.058958-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The occurrence of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob (vCJD) disease in humans was almost certainly the result of consumption of food contaminated with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) prions. Despite probable widespread exposure of the UK population to BSE-contaminated food in the 1980s, vCJD has been identified predominantly in young individuals, and there have been fewer cases of clinical disease than anticipated. The reasons for this are uncertain. Following peripheral exposure, many prions replicate within the lymphoid tissues before infecting the central nervous system. We have shown that the effects of host age on the microarchitecture of the spleen significantly impair susceptibility to mouse-adapted prions after peripheral exposure. The transmission of prions between different mammalian species is considered to be limited by the 'species barrier', which is dependent on several factors, including an intact immune system. Thus, cross-species prion transmission may be much less efficient in aged individuals. To test this hypothesis, we compared prion pathogenesis in groups of young (6-8 weeks old) and aged (600 days old) mice injected with primary BSE brain homogenate. We showed that prion pathogenesis was impaired dramatically in aged mice when compared with young animals. Whereas most young mice succumbed to clinical prion disease, all aged mice failed to develop clinical disease during their lifespans. However, the demonstration that prion accumulation was detected in the lymphoid tissues of some aged mice after injection with primary BSE brain homogenate, in the absence of clinical signs of prion disease, has important implications for human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen L Brown
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Neil A Mabbott
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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23
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Aguzzi A, Kranich J, Krautler NJ. Follicular dendritic cells: origin, phenotype, and function in health and disease. Trends Immunol 2013; 35:105-13. [PMID: 24315719 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2013.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2013] [Revised: 10/31/2013] [Accepted: 11/07/2013] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) were originally identified by their specific morphology and by their ability to trap immune-complexed antigen in B cell follicles. By virtue of the latter as well as the provision of chemokines, adhesion molecules, and trophic factors, FDCs participate in the shaping of B cell responses. Importantly, FDCs also supply tingible body macrophages (TBMs) with the eat-me-signaling molecule milk fat globule-EGF factor 8 (Mfge8), thereby enabling the disposal of apoptotic B cells. Recent studies have provided fundamental insights into the multiple functions of FDCs in both physiological and pathophysiological contexts and into their origin. Here we review these findings, and discuss current concepts related to FDC histogenesis both in lymphoid organs and in inflammatory lymphoneogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriano Aguzzi
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Jan Kranich
- Institute for Immunology, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
| | - Nike Julia Krautler
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
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Abstract
Individuals infected with prions succumb to brain damage, and prion infections continue to be inexorably lethal. However, many crucial steps in prion pathogenesis occur in lymphatic organs and precede invasion of the central nervous system. In the past two decades, a great deal has been learnt concerning the cellular and molecular mechanisms of prion lymphoinvasion. These properties are diagnostically useful and have, for example, facilitated preclinical diagnosis of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in the tonsils. Moreover, the early colonization of lymphoid organs can be exploited for post-exposure prophylaxis of prion infections. As stromal cells of lymphoid organs are crucial for peripheral prion infection, the dedifferentiation of these cells offers a powerful means of hindering prion spread in infected individuals. In this Review, we discuss the current knowledge of the immunobiology of prions with an emphasis on how basic discoveries might enable translational strategies.
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Michel B, Ferguson A, Johnson T, Bender H, Meyerett-Reid C, Wyckoff AC, Pulford B, Telling GC, Zabel MD. Complement protein C3 exacerbates prion disease in a mouse model of chronic wasting disease. Int Immunol 2013; 25:697-702. [PMID: 24038599 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxt034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence shows a critical role of the complement system in facilitating attachment of prions to both B cells and follicular dendritic cells and assisting in prion replication. Complement activation intensifies disease in prion-infected animals, and elimination of complement components inhibits prion accumulation, replication and pathogenesis. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a highly infectious prion disease of captive and free-ranging cervid populations that utilizes the complement system for efficient peripheral prion replication and most likely efficient horizontal transmission. Here we show that complete genetic or transient pharmacological depletion of C3 prolongs incubation times and significantly delays splenic accumulation in a CWD transgenic mouse model. Using a semi-quantitative prion amplification scoring system we show that C3 impacts disease progression in the early stages of disease by slowing the rate of prion accumulation and/or replication. The delayed kinetics in prion replication correlate with delayed disease kinetics in mice deficient in C3. Taken together, these data support a critical role of C3 in peripheral CWD prion pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brady Michel
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University Prion Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA
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Wyckoff AC, Lockwood KL, Meyerett-Reid C, Michel BA, Bender H, VerCauteren KC, Zabel MD. Estimating prion adsorption capacity of soil by BioAssay of Subtracted Infectivity from Complex Solutions (BASICS). PLoS One 2013; 8:e58630. [PMID: 23484043 PMCID: PMC3587580 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0058630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2012] [Accepted: 02/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Prions, the infectious agent of scrapie, chronic wasting disease and other transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, are misfolded proteins that are highly stable and resistant to degradation. Prions are known to associate with clay and other soil components, enhancing their persistence and surprisingly, transmissibility. Currently, few detection and quantification methods exist for prions in soil, hindering an understanding of prion persistence and infectivity in the environment. Variability in apparent infectious titers of prions when bound to soil has complicated attempts to quantify the binding capacity of soil for prion infectivity. Here, we quantify the prion adsorption capacity of whole, sandy loam soil (SLS) typically found in CWD endemic areas in Colorado; and purified montmorillonite clay (Mte), previously shown to bind prions, by BioAssay of Subtracted Infectivity in Complex Solutions (BASICS). We incubated prion positive 10% brain homogenate from terminally sick mice infected with the Rocky Mountain Lab strain of mouse-adapted prions (RML) with 10% SLS or Mte. After 24 hours samples were centrifuged five minutes at 200×g and soil-free supernatant was intracerebrally inoculated into prion susceptible indicator mice. We used the number of days post inoculation to clinical disease to calculate the infectious titer remaining in the supernatant, which we subtracted from the starting titer to determine the infectious prion binding capacity of SLS and Mte. BASICS indicated SLS bound and removed ≥ 95% of infectivity. Mte bound and removed lethal doses (99.98%) of prions from inocula, effectively preventing disease in the mice. Our data reveal significant prion-binding capacity of soil and the utility of BASICS to estimate prion loads and investigate persistence and decomposition in the environment. Additionally, since Mte successfully rescued the mice from prion disease, Mte might be used for remediation and decontamination protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Christy Wyckoff
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University Prion Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
- National Wildlife Research Center, Wildlife Services, United States Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Krista L. Lockwood
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University Prion Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Crystal Meyerett-Reid
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University Prion Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Brady A. Michel
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University Prion Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Heather Bender
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University Prion Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Kurt C. VerCauteren
- National Wildlife Research Center, Wildlife Services, United States Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Mark D. Zabel
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University Prion Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Sponarova J, Nuvolone M, Whicher C, Frei N, Kana V, Schwarz P, Westermark GT, Aguzzi A. Efficient amyloid A clearance in the absence of immunoglobulins and complement factors. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2013; 182:1297-307. [PMID: 23454183 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2012.12.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2012] [Revised: 12/07/2012] [Accepted: 12/24/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Amyloid A amyloidosis is a protein misfolding disease characterized by deposition of extracellular aggregates derived from the acute-phase reactant serum amyloid A protein. If untreated, amyloid A amyloidosis leads to irreversible damage of various organs, including the kidneys, liver, and heart. Amyloid A deposits regress upon reduction of serum amyloid A concentration, indicating that the amyloid can be efficiently cleared by natural mechanisms. Clearance was proposed to be mediated by humoral immune responses to amyloid. Here, we report that amyloid clearance in mice lacking complement factors 3 and 4 (C3C4(-/-)) was equally efficient as in wild-type mice (C57BL/6), and was only slightly delayed in agammaglobulinemic mice (J(H-/-)). Hence, antibodies or complement factors are not necessary for natural amyloid clearance, implying the existence of alternative physiological pathways for amyloid removal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Sponarova
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
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28
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Bradford BM, Mabbott NA. Prion disease and the innate immune system. Viruses 2012; 4:3389-419. [PMID: 23342365 PMCID: PMC3528271 DOI: 10.3390/v4123389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2012] [Revised: 11/14/2012] [Accepted: 11/22/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases or transmissible spongiform encephalopathies are a unique category of infectious protein-misfolding neurodegenerative disorders. Hypothesized to be caused by misfolding of the cellular prion protein these disorders possess an infectious quality that thrives in immune-competent hosts. While much has been discovered about the routing and critical components involved in the peripheral pathogenesis of these agents there are still many aspects to be discovered. Research into this area has been extensive as it represents a major target for therapeutic intervention within this group of diseases. The main focus of pathological damage in these diseases occurs within the central nervous system. Cells of the innate immune system have been proven to be critical players in the initial pathogenesis of prion disease, and may have a role in the pathological progression of disease. Understanding how prions interact with the host innate immune system may provide us with natural pathways and mechanisms to combat these diseases prior to their neuroinvasive stage. We present here a review of the current knowledge regarding the role of the innate immune system in prion pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry M Bradford
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK.
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29
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Krasemann S, Neumann M, Szalay B, Stocking C, Glatzel M. Protease-sensitive prion species in neoplastic spleens of prion-infected mice with uncoupling of PrP(Sc) and prion infectivity. J Gen Virol 2012; 94:453-463. [PMID: 23136363 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.045922-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative disorders. An important step in disease pathophysiology is the conversion of cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) to disease-associated misfolded conformers (PrP(Sc)). These misfolded PrP variants are a common component of prion infectivity and are detectable in diseased brain and lymphoreticular organs such as spleen. In the latter, PrP(Sc) is thought to replicate mainly in follicular dendritic cells within spleen follicles. Although the presence of PrP(Sc) is a hallmark for prion disease and serves as a main diagnostic criterion, in certain instances the amount of PrP(Sc) does not correlate well with neurotoxicity or prion infectivity. Therefore, it has been proposed that prions might be a mixture of different conformers and aggregates with differing properties. This study investigated the impact of disruption of spleen architecture by neoplasia on the abundance of different PrP species in spleens of prion-infected mice. Although follicular integrity was completely disturbed, titres of prion infectivity in neoplastic spleens were not significantly altered, yet no protease-resistant PrP(Sc) was detectable. Instead, unique protease-sensitive prion species could be detected in neoplastic spleens. These results indicate the dissociation of PrP(Sc) and prion infectivity and showed the presence of non-PrP(Sc) PrP species in spleen with divergent biochemical properties that become apparent after tissue architecture disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Krasemann
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Institute of Neuropathology, Martinistrasse 52, D-20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Melanie Neumann
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Institute of Neuropathology, Martinistrasse 52, D-20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Beata Szalay
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Institute of Neuropathology, Martinistrasse 52, D-20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Carol Stocking
- Heinrich Pette Institute, AG Molecular Pathology, D-20206 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Markus Glatzel
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Institute of Neuropathology, Martinistrasse 52, D-20246 Hamburg, Germany
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30
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Michel B, Ferguson A, Johnson T, Bender H, Meyerett-Reid C, Pulford B, von Teichman A, Seelig D, Weis JH, Telling GC, Aguzzi A, Zabel MD. Genetic depletion of complement receptors CD21/35 prevents terminal prion disease in a mouse model of chronic wasting disease. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2012; 189:4520-7. [PMID: 23002439 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1201579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The complement system has been shown to facilitate peripheral prion pathogenesis. Mice lacking complement receptors CD21/35 partially resist terminal prion disease when infected i.p. with mouse-adapted scrapie prions. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging prion disease of captive and free-ranging cervid populations that, similar to scrapie, has been shown to involve the immune system, which probably contributes to their relatively facile horizontal and environmental transmission. In this study, we show that mice overexpressing the cervid prion protein and susceptible to CWD (Tg(cerPrP)5037 mice) but lack CD21/35 expression completely resist clinical CWD upon peripheral infection. CD21/35-deficient Tg5037 mice exhibit greatly impaired splenic prion accumulation and replication throughout disease, similar to CD21/35-deficient murine prion protein mice infected with mouse scrapie. TgA5037;CD21/35(-/-) mice exhibited little or no neuropathology and deposition of misfolded, protease-resistant prion protein associated with CWD. CD21/35 translocate to lipid rafts and mediates a strong germinal center response to prion infection that we propose provides the optimal environment for prion accumulation and replication. We further propose a potential role for CD21/35 in selecting prion quasi-species present in prion strains that may exhibit differential zoonotic potential compared with the parental strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brady Michel
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University Prion Research Center, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
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31
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Barrenetxea G. Iatrogenic prion diseases in humans: an update. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2012; 165:165-9. [PMID: 22951159 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2012.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2012] [Revised: 07/02/2012] [Accepted: 08/08/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Although Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) was first identified in 1920, prevention of transmission raised particular concern all over the world when a new variant of the disease was first described in 1996. There is good evidence of iatrogenic transmission of this new variant among human beings through blood, blood components, tissues and growth hormone. Furthermore, four cases of iatrogenic transmission of CJD through fertility treatment with human pituitary-derived gonadotrophins have been reported. It is important to distinguish the categories of infectivity and categories of risk, which require consideration not only of the level of infectivity of a given tissue or fluid, but also the amount of tissue/fluid to which a person is exposed, the duration of exposure and the route by which infection is transmitted. The potential presence and infectivity of prion proteins in human urinary gonadotrophin preparations is a matter of debate. Differences in the sensitivity of bioassay methods are of paramount importance when considering the infectivity of a tissue. Some new methods might detect small amounts of agent in some tissues currently thought to be free of infectivity. No cases of human prion disease due to the use of urinary gonadotrophins have been recognized to date. However, the detection of prions in the urine of experimental animals and in some urine-based preparations, and the young age of fertility drug recipients, require the application of the precautionary principle to urinary preparations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gorka Barrenetxea
- Quiron Bilbao, Assisted Reproduction Center, Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, Ribera Botica Vieja 23, 48014 Bilbao, Spain.
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32
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Mabbott NA. Prion pathogenesis and secondary lymphoid organs (SLO): tracking the SLO spread of prions to the brain. Prion 2012; 6:322-33. [PMID: 22895090 PMCID: PMC3609058 DOI: 10.4161/pri.20676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are subacute neurodegenerative diseases that affect humans and a range of domestic and free-ranging animal species. These diseases are characterized by the accumulation of PrPSc, an abnormally folded isoform of the cellular prion protein (PrPC), in affected tissues. The pathology during prion disease appears to occur almost exclusively within the central nervous system. The extensive neurodegeneration which occurs ultimately leads to the death of the host. An intriguing feature of the prion diseases, when compared with other protein-misfolding diseases, is their transmissibility. Following peripheral exposure, some prion diseases accumulate to high levels within lymphoid tissues. The replication of prions within lymphoid tissue has been shown to be important for the efficient spread of disease to the brain. This article describes recent progress in our understanding of the cellular mechanisms that influence the propagation of prions from peripheral sites of exposure (such as the lumen of the intestine) to the brain. A thorough understanding of these events will lead to the identification of important targets for therapeutic intervention, or alternatively, reveal additional processes that influence disease susceptibility to peripherally-acquired prion diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil A Mabbott
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Midlothian, UK.
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33
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Incunabular immunological events in prion trafficking. Sci Rep 2012; 2:440. [PMID: 22679554 PMCID: PMC3368226 DOI: 10.1038/srep00440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2012] [Accepted: 05/21/2012] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
While prions probably interact with the innate immune system immediately following infection, little is known about this initial confrontation. Here we investigated incunabular events in lymphotropic and intranodal prion trafficking by following highly enriched, fluorescent prions from infection sites to draining lymph nodes. We detected biphasic lymphotropic transport of prions from the initial entry site upon peripheral prion inoculation. Prions arrived in draining lymph nodes cell autonomously within two hours of intraperitoneal administration. Monocytes and dendritic cells (DCs) required Complement for optimal prion delivery to lymph nodes hours later in a second wave of prion trafficking. B cells constituted the majority of prion-bearing cells in the mediastinal lymph node by six hours, indicating intranodal prion reception from resident DCs or subcapsulary sinus macrophages or directly from follicular conduits. These data reveal novel, cell autonomous prion lymphotropism, and a prominent role for B cells in intranodal prion movement.
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34
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Mok SWF, Proia RL, Brinkmann V, Mabbott NA. B cell-specific S1PR1 deficiency blocks prion dissemination between secondary lymphoid organs. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2012; 188:5032-40. [PMID: 22504650 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1200349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Many prion diseases are peripherally acquired (e.g., orally or via lesions to skin or mucous membranes). After peripheral exposure, prions replicate first upon follicular dendritic cells (FDC) in the draining lymphoid tissue before infecting the brain. However, after replication upon FDC within the draining lymphoid tissue, prions are subsequently propagated to most nondraining secondary lymphoid organs (SLO), including the spleen, by a previously underdetermined mechanism. The germinal centers in which FDC are situated produce a population of B cells that can recirculate between SLO. Therefore, we reasoned that B cells were ideal candidates by which prion dissemination between SLO may occur. Sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor (S1PR)1 stimulation controls the egress of T and B cells from SLO. S1PR1 signaling blockade sequesters lymphocytes within SLO, resulting in lymphopenia in the blood and lymph. We show that, in mice treated with the S1PR modulator FTY720 or with S1PR1 deficiency restricted to B cells, the dissemination of prions from the draining lymph node to nondraining SLO is blocked. These data suggest that B cells interacting with and acquiring surface proteins from FDC and recirculating between SLO via the blood and lymph mediate the initial propagation of prions from the draining lymphoid tissue to peripheral tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon W F Mok
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian EH25 9RG, United Kingdom
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35
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Abstract
Many prion diseases are orally acquired. Our data show that after oral exposure, early prion replication upon follicular dendritic cells (FDC) in Peyer's patches is obligatory for the efficient spread of disease to the brain (termed neuroinvasion). For prions to replicate on FDC within Peyer's patches after ingestion of a contaminated meal, they must first cross the gut epithelium. However, the mechanism through which prions are conveyed into Peyer's patches is uncertain. Within the follicle-associated epithelium overlying Peyer's patches are microfold cells (M cells), unique epithelial cells specialized for the transcytosis of particles. We show that following M cell-depletion, early prion accumulation upon FDC in Peyer's patches is blocked. Furthermore, in the absence of M cells at the time of oral exposure, neuroinvasion and disease development are likewise blocked. These data suggest M cells are important sites of prion uptake from the gut lumen into Peyer's patches.
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36
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Wathne GJ, Kissenpfennig A, Malissen B, Zurzolo C, Mabbott NA. Determining the role of mononuclear phagocytes in prion neuroinvasion from the skin. J Leukoc Biol 2012; 91:817-28. [PMID: 22389312 DOI: 10.1189/jlb.1211633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Many prion diseases are acquired by peripheral exposure, and skin lesions are an effective route of transmission. Following exposure, early prion replication, upon FDCs in the draining LN is obligatory for the spread of disease to the brain. However, the mechanism by which prions are conveyed to the draining LN is uncertain. Here, transgenic mice were used, in which langerin(+) cells, including epidermal LCs and langerin(+) classical DCs, were specifically depleted. These were used in parallel with transgenic mice, in which nonepidermal CD11c(+) cells were specifically depleted. Our data show that prion pathogenesis, following exposure via skin scarification, occurred independently of LC and other langerin(+) cells. However, the depletion of nonepidermal CD11c(+) cells impaired the early accumulation of prions in the draining LN, implying a role for these cells in the propagation of prions from the skin. Therefore, together, these data suggest that the propagation of prions from the skin to the draining LN occurs via dermal classical DCs, independently of langerin(+) cells.
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37
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Biochemical properties of highly neuroinvasive prion strains. PLoS Pathog 2012; 8:e1002522. [PMID: 22319450 PMCID: PMC3271082 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1002522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2011] [Accepted: 12/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Infectious prions propagate from peripheral entry sites into the central nervous system (CNS), where they cause progressive neurodegeneration that ultimately leads to death. Yet the pathogenesis of prion disease can vary dramatically depending on the strain, or conformational variant of the aberrantly folded and aggregated protein, PrPSc. Although most prion strains invade the CNS, some prion strains cannot gain entry and do not cause clinical signs of disease. The conformational basis for this remarkable variation in the pathogenesis among strains is unclear. Using mouse-adapted prion strains, here we show that highly neuroinvasive prion strains primarily form diffuse aggregates in brain and are noncongophilic, conformationally unstable in denaturing conditions, and lead to rapidly lethal disease. These neuroinvasive strains efficiently generate PrPSc over short incubation periods. In contrast, the weakly neuroinvasive prion strains form large fibrillary plaques and are stable, congophilic, and inefficiently generate PrPSc over long incubation periods. Overall, these results indicate that the most neuroinvasive prion strains are also the least stable, and support the concept that the efficient replication and unstable nature of the most rapidly converting prions may be a feature linked to their efficient spread into the CNS. Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative disorders that are also infectious. Prions are composed of a misfolded, aggregated form of a normal cellular protein that is highly expressed in neurons. Prion- infected individuals show variability in the clinical signs and brain regions that selectively accumulate prions, even within the same species expressing the same prion protein sequence. The basis of these divergent disease phenotypes is unclear, but is thought to be due to different conformations of the misfolded prion protein, known as strains. Here we characterized the neuropathology and biochemical properties of prion strains that efficiently or poorly invade the CNS from their peripheral entry site. We show that prion strains that efficiently invade the CNS also cause a rapidly terminal disease after an intracerebral exposure. These rapidly lethal strains were unstable when exposed to denaturants or high temperatures, and efficiently accumulated misfolded prion protein over a short incubation period in vivo. Our findings indicate that the most invasive, rapidly spreading strains are also the least conformationally stable.
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38
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Hasebe R, Raymond GJ, Horiuchi M, Caughey B. Reaction of complement factors varies with prion strains in vitro and in vivo. Virology 2012; 423:205-13. [PMID: 22222213 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2011.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2011] [Revised: 09/21/2011] [Accepted: 11/21/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Roles of complement factors in prion infection of the central nervous system remain unclear. In this study, we assessed the strain-dependent reactivity of complement factors in prion infections of Neuro2a (N2a) cells and mouse brains. N2a cells persistently infected with either Chandler or 22L scrapie strains were cultured in the presence of normal mouse serum (NMS), followed by staining with phosphatidylserine binding protein and early apoptosis marker Annexin V. The proportion of Annexin V positive cells was increased both in Chandler- and 22L-infected cells. Preincubation of NMS with anti-C1q, C3 and/or C9 antibodies reduced Annexin V positive cells in Chandler-infected cells, while only anti-C3 antibodies were effective on 22L-infected cells. The immunohistochemistry showed that deposition of C1q and C3 was different between Chandler- and 22L-infected mouse brains. These results indicate that the reactivity of complement factors differs between prion strains both in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rie Hasebe
- Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA.
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Kujala P, Raymond CR, Romeijn M, Godsave SF, van Kasteren SI, Wille H, Prusiner SB, Mabbott NA, Peters PJ. Prion uptake in the gut: identification of the first uptake and replication sites. PLoS Pathog 2011; 7:e1002449. [PMID: 22216002 PMCID: PMC3245311 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1002449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2011] [Accepted: 11/04/2011] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
After oral exposure, prions are thought to enter Peyer's patches via M cells and accumulate first upon follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) before spreading to the nervous system. How prions are actually initially acquired from the gut lumen is not known. Using high-resolution immunofluorescence and cryo-immunogold electron microscopy, we report the trafficking of the prion protein (PrP) toward Peyer's patches of wild-type and PrP-deficient mice. PrP was transiently detectable at 1 day post feeding (dpf) within large multivesicular LAMP1-positive endosomes of enterocytes in the follicle-associated epithelium (FAE) and at much lower levels within M cells. Subsequently, PrP was detected on vesicles in the late endosomal compartments of macrophages in the subepithelial dome. At 7-21 dpf, increased PrP labelling was observed on the plasma membranes of FDCs in germinal centres of Peyer's patches from wild-type mice only, identifying FDCs as the first sites of PrP conversion and replication. Detection of PrP on extracellular vesicles displaying FAE enterocyte-derived A33 protein implied transport towards FDCs in association with FAE-derived vesicles. By 21 dpf, PrP was observed on the plasma membranes of neurons within neighbouring myenteric plexi. Together, these data identify a novel potential M cell-independent mechanism for prion transport, mediated by FAE enterocytes, which acts to initiate conversion and replication upon FDCs and subsequent infection of enteric nerves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pekka Kujala
- Section of Cell Biology II, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Claudine R. Raymond
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Martijn Romeijn
- Section of Cell Biology II, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Susan F. Godsave
- Section of Cell Biology II, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Holger Wille
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Stanley B. Prusiner
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Neil A. Mabbott
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Peter J. Peters
- Section of Cell Biology II, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
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40
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McCulloch L, Brown KL, Bradford BM, Hopkins J, Bailey M, Rajewsky K, Manson JC, Mabbott NA. Follicular dendritic cell-specific prion protein (PrP) expression alone is sufficient to sustain prion infection in the spleen. PLoS Pathog 2011; 7:e1002402. [PMID: 22144895 PMCID: PMC3228802 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1002402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2011] [Accepted: 10/11/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are characterised by the accumulation of PrPSc, an abnormally folded isoform of the cellular prion protein (PrPC), in affected tissues. Following peripheral exposure high levels of prion-specific PrPSc accumulate first upon follicular dendritic cells (FDC) in lymphoid tissues before spreading to the CNS. Expression of PrPC is mandatory for cells to sustain prion infection and FDC appear to express high levels. However, whether FDC actively replicate prions or simply acquire them from other infected cells is uncertain. In the attempts to-date to establish the role of FDC in prion pathogenesis it was not possible to dissociate the Prnp expression of FDC from that of the nervous system and all other non-haematopoietic lineages. This is important as FDC may simply acquire prions after synthesis by other infected cells. To establish the role of FDC in prion pathogenesis transgenic mice were created in which PrPC expression was specifically “switched on” or “off” only on FDC. We show that PrPC-expression only on FDC is sufficient to sustain prion replication in the spleen. Furthermore, prion replication is blocked in the spleen when PrPC-expression is specifically ablated only on FDC. These data definitively demonstrate that FDC are the essential sites of prion replication in lymphoid tissues. The demonstration that Prnp-ablation only on FDC blocked splenic prion accumulation without apparent consequences for FDC status represents a novel opportunity to prevent neuroinvasion by modulation of PrPC expression on FDC. Prion diseases are infectious neurological disorders and are considered to be caused by an abnormally folded infectious protein termed PrPSc. Soon after infection prions accumulate first upon follicular dendritic cells (FDC) in lymphoid tissues before spreading to the brain where they cause damage to nerve cells. Cells must express the normal cellular prion protein PrPC to become infected with prions. However, whether FDC are infected with prions or simply acquire them from other infected cells is unknown. To establish the role of FDC in prion disease PrPC expression was specifically “switched on” or “off” only on FDC. We show that PrPC-expressing FDC alone are sufficient to sustain prion replication in the spleen. Furthermore, prion replication is blocked in the spleen when PrPC-expression is switched off only on FDC. These data definitively demonstrate that FDC are the essential sites of prion replication in lymphoid tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura McCulloch
- The Roslin Institute & Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Karen L. Brown
- The Roslin Institute & Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Barry M. Bradford
- The Roslin Institute & Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - John Hopkins
- The Roslin Institute & Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Mick Bailey
- Division of Veterinary Pathology, Infection and Immunity, School of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Avon, United Kingdom
| | - Klaus Rajewsky
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital, and Immune Disease Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jean C. Manson
- The Roslin Institute & Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Neil A. Mabbott
- The Roslin Institute & Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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41
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The effects of host age on the transport of complement-bound complexes to the spleen and the pathogenesis of intravenous scrapie infection. J Virol 2011; 86:25-35. [PMID: 22031932 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.05581-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Infections with variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) have almost exclusively occurred in young patients, but the reasons for this age distribution are uncertain. Our data suggest that the pathogenesis of many peripherally acquired transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) agents is less efficient in aged individuals. Four vCJD cases linked to transfusion of vCJD-contaminated blood or blood products have been described. Three cases occurred in elderly patients, implying that intravenous exposure is more efficient in aged individuals than other peripheral routes. To test this hypothesis, young (6 to 8 weeks old) and aged (600 days old) mice were injected intravenously with a TSE agent. In aged and young mice, the intravenous route was more efficient than other peripheral routes of TSE agent exposure. However, in aged mice, disease pathogenesis was significantly reduced. Although most aged mice failed to develop clinical disease during their life spans, many showed histopathological signs of TSE disease in their brains. Thus, the effects of age on intravenous TSE pathogenesis may lead to significant levels of subclinical disease in the population. After peripheral exposure, many TSE agents accumulate upon follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) in lymphoid tissues before they infect the brain. In aged spleens, PrP(C) expression and TSE agent accumulation upon FDCs were reduced. Furthermore, the splenic marginal zone microarchitecture was substantially disturbed, adversely affecting the delivery of immune complexes to FDCs. This study is the first to suggest that the effects of aging on the microarchitecture and the function of the splenic marginal zone significantly influence the pathogenesis of an important pathogen.
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42
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Stitz L, Aguzzi A. Aerosols: an underestimated vehicle for transmission of prion diseases? Prion 2011; 5:138-41. [PMID: 21778819 DOI: 10.4161/pri.5.3.16851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We and others have recently reported that prions can be transmitted to mice via aerosols. These reports spurred a lively public discussion on the possible public-health threats represented by prion-containing aerosols. Here we offer our view on the context in which these findings should be placed. On the one hand, the fact that nebulized prions can transmit disease cannot be taken to signify that prions are airborne under natural circumstances. On the other hand, it appears important to underscore the fact that aerosols can originate very easily in a broad variety of experimental and natural environmental conditions. Aerosols are a virtually unavoidable consequence of the handling of fluids; complete prevention of the generation of aerosols is very difficult. While prions have never been found to be transmissible via aerosols under natural conditions, it appears prudent to strive to minimize exposure to potentially prion-infected aerosols whenever the latter may arise - for example in scientific and diagnostic laboratories handling brain matter, cerebrospinal fluids, and other potentially contaminated materials, as well as abattoirs. Equally important is that prion biosafety training be focused on the control of, and protection from, prion-infected aerosols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lothar Stitz
- Institute of Immunology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Tübingen, Germany.
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Haybaeck J, Heikenwalder M, Klevenz B, Schwarz P, Margalith I, Bridel C, Mertz K, Zirdum E, Petsch B, Fuchs TJ, Stitz L, Aguzzi A. Aerosols transmit prions to immunocompetent and immunodeficient mice. PLoS Pathog 2011; 7:e1001257. [PMID: 21249178 PMCID: PMC3020930 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1001257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2010] [Accepted: 12/13/2010] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Prions, the agents causing transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, colonize the brain of hosts after oral, parenteral, intralingual, or even transdermal uptake. However, prions are not generally considered to be airborne. Here we report that inbred and crossbred wild-type mice, as well as tga20 transgenic mice overexpressing PrP(C), efficiently develop scrapie upon exposure to aerosolized prions. NSE-PrP transgenic mice, which express PrP(C) selectively in neurons, were also susceptible to airborne prions. Aerogenic infection occurred also in mice lacking B- and T-lymphocytes, NK-cells, follicular dendritic cells or complement components. Brains of diseased mice contained PrP(Sc) and transmitted scrapie when inoculated into further mice. We conclude that aerogenic exposure to prions is very efficacious and can lead to direct invasion of neural pathways without an obligatory replicative phase in lymphoid organs. This previously unappreciated risk for airborne prion transmission may warrant re-thinking on prion biosafety guidelines in research and diagnostic laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Haybaeck
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mathias Heikenwalder
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Britta Klevenz
- Institute of Immunology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Petra Schwarz
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ilan Margalith
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Claire Bridel
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Kirsten Mertz
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Pathology, Clinical Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Elizabeta Zirdum
- Institute of Immunology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Petsch
- Institute of Immunology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas J. Fuchs
- Department of Computer Science, Machine Learning Laboratory, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lothar Stitz
- Institute of Immunology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Adriano Aguzzi
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Johnson TE, Michel BA, Meyerett C, Duffy A, Avery A, Dow S, Zabel MD. Monitoring immune cells trafficking fluorescent prion rods hours after intraperitoneal infection. J Vis Exp 2010:2349. [PMID: 21113122 DOI: 10.3791/2349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Presence of an abnormal form a host-encoded prion protein (PrPC) that is protease resistant, pathologic and infectious characterizes prion diseases such as Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) of cervids and scrapie in sheep. The Prion hypothesis asserts that this abnormal conformer constitutes most or all of the infectious prion. The role of the immune system in early events in peripheral prion pathogenesis has been convincingly demonstrated for CWD and scrapie. Transgenic and pharmacologic studies in mice revealed an important role of the Complement system in retaining and replicating prions early after infection. In vitro and in vivo studies have also observed prion retention by dendritic cells, although their role in trafficking remains unclear. Macrophages have similarly been implicated in early prion pathogenesis, but these studies have focused on events occurring weeks after infection. These prior studies also suffer from the problem of differentiating between endogenous PrP(C) and infectious prions. Here we describe a semiquantitative, unbiased approach for assessing prion uptake and trafficking from the inoculation site by immune cells recruited there. Aggregated prion rods were purified from infected brain homogenate by detergent solubilization of non-aggregated proteins and ultracentrifugation through a sucrose cushion. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, coomassie blue staining and western blotting confirmed recovery of highly enriched prion rods in the pelleted fraction. Prion rods were fluorochrome-labeled then injected intraperitoneally into mice. Two hours later immune cells from peritoneal lavage fluid, spleen and mediastinal and mesenteric lymph nodes were assayed for prion rod retention and cell subsets identified by multicolor flow cytometry using markers for monocytes, neutrophils, dendritic cells, macrophages and B and T cells. This assay allows for the first time direct monitoring of immune cells acquiring and trafficking prions in vivo within hours after infection. This assay also clearly differentiates infectious, aggregated prions from PrPC normally expressed on host cells, which can be difficult and lead to data interpretation problems in other assay systems. This protocol can be adapted to other inoculation routes (oral, intravenous, intranervous and subcutaneous, e.g.) and antigens (conjugated beads, bacterial, viral and parasitic pathogens and proteins, egg) as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodore E Johnson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, USA
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Pulford B, Reim N, Bell A, Veatch J, Forster G, Bender H, Meyerett C, Hafeman S, Michel B, Johnson T, Wyckoff AC, Miele G, Julius C, Kranich J, Schenkel A, Dow S, Zabel MD. Liposome-siRNA-peptide complexes cross the blood-brain barrier and significantly decrease PrP on neuronal cells and PrP in infected cell cultures. PLoS One 2010; 5:e11085. [PMID: 20559428 PMCID: PMC2885418 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0011085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2010] [Accepted: 05/20/2010] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Recent advances toward an effective therapy for prion diseases employ RNA interference to suppress PrPC expression and subsequent prion neuropathology, exploiting the phenomenon that disease severity and progression correlate with host PrPC expression levels. However, delivery of lentivirus encoding PrP shRNA has demonstrated only modest efficacy in vivo. Methodology/Principal Findings Here we describe a new siRNA delivery system incorporating a small peptide that binds siRNA and acetylcholine receptors (AchRs), acting as a molecular messenger for delivery to neurons, and cationic liposomes that protect siRNA-peptide complexes from serum degradation. Conclusions/Significance Liposome-siRNA-peptide complexes (LSPCs) delivered PrP siRNA specifically to AchR-expressing cells, suppressed PrPC expression and eliminated PrPRES formation in vitro. LSPCs injected intravenously into mice resisted serum degradation and delivered PrP siRNA throughout the brain to AchR and PrPC-expressing neurons. These data promote LSPCs as effective vehicles for delivery of PrP and other siRNAs specifically to neurons to treat prion and other neuropathological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce Pulford
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Natalia Reim
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Aimee Bell
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Jessica Veatch
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Genevieve Forster
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Heather Bender
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Crystal Meyerett
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Scott Hafeman
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Brady Michel
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Theodore Johnson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - A. Christy Wyckoff
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Gino Miele
- Pfizer Global Research & Development, Translational Medicine Research Collaboration, Dundee, Scotland
| | - Christian Julius
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Jan Kranich
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alan Schenkel
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Steven Dow
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Mark D. Zabel
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Mathiason CK, Hayes-Klug J, Hays SA, Powers J, Osborn DA, Dahmes SJ, Miller KV, Warren RJ, Mason GL, Telling GC, Young AJ, Hoover EA. B cells and platelets harbor prion infectivity in the blood of deer infected with chronic wasting disease. J Virol 2010; 84:5097-107. [PMID: 20219916 PMCID: PMC2863796 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02169-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2009] [Accepted: 02/23/2010] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Substantial evidence for prion transmission via blood transfusion exists for many transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) diseases. Determining which cell phenotype(s) is responsible for trafficking infectivity has important implications for our understanding of the dissemination of prions, as well as their detection and elimination from blood products. We used bioassay studies of native white-tailed deer and transgenic cervidized mice to determine (i) if chronic wasting disease (CWD) blood infectivity is associated with the cellular versus the cell-free/plasma fraction of blood and (ii) in particular if B-cell (MAb 2-104(+)), platelet (CD41/61(+)), or CD14(+) monocyte blood cell phenotypes harbor infectious prions. All four deer transfused with the blood mononuclear cell fraction from CWD(+) donor deer became PrP(CWD) positive by 19 months postinoculation, whereas none of the four deer inoculated with cell-free plasma from the same source developed prion infection. All four of the deer injected with B cells and three of four deer receiving platelets from CWD(+) donor deer became PrP(CWD) positive in as little as 6 months postinoculation, whereas none of the four deer receiving blood CD14(+) monocytes developed evidence of CWD infection (immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis) after 19 months of observation. Results of the Tg(CerPrP) mouse bioassays mirrored those of the native cervid host. These results indicate that CWD blood infectivity is cell associated and suggest a significant role for B cells and platelets in trafficking CWD infectivity in vivo and support earlier tissue-based studies associating putative follicular B cells with PrP(CWD). Localization of CWD infectivity with leukocyte subpopulations may aid in enhancing the sensitivity of blood-based diagnostic assays for CWD and other TSEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candace K. Mathiason
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, WASCO Inc., Monroe, Georgia, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota
| | - Jeanette Hayes-Klug
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, WASCO Inc., Monroe, Georgia, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota
| | - Sheila A. Hays
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, WASCO Inc., Monroe, Georgia, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota
| | - Jenny Powers
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, WASCO Inc., Monroe, Georgia, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota
| | - David A. Osborn
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, WASCO Inc., Monroe, Georgia, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota
| | - Sallie J. Dahmes
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, WASCO Inc., Monroe, Georgia, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota
| | - Karl V. Miller
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, WASCO Inc., Monroe, Georgia, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota
| | - Robert J. Warren
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, WASCO Inc., Monroe, Georgia, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota
| | - Gary L. Mason
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, WASCO Inc., Monroe, Georgia, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota
| | - Glenn C. Telling
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, WASCO Inc., Monroe, Georgia, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota
| | - Alan J. Young
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, WASCO Inc., Monroe, Georgia, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota
| | - Edward A. Hoover
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, WASCO Inc., Monroe, Georgia, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota
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Nayak A, Ferluga J, Tsolaki AG, Kishore U. The non-classical functions of the classical complement pathway recognition subcomponent C1q. Immunol Lett 2010; 131:139-50. [PMID: 20381531 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2010.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2010] [Revised: 03/22/2010] [Accepted: 03/28/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
C1q, the ligand recognition subcomponent of the classical complement pathway has steadily been gaining recognition as a bridge between innate and adaptive immunity. C1q has been shown to be involved in the modulation of various immune cells (such as dendritic cells, platelets, microglia cells and lymphocytes), clearance of apoptotic cells, a range of cell processes such as differentiation, chemotaxis, aggregation and adhesion, and pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and systemic lupus erythematosus. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of C1q during pregnancy, coagulation process and embryonic development including neurological synapse function. It is intriguing to note that a prototypical defence molecule has so many diverse functions that probably have its origin in its versatility as a potent charge pattern recognition molecule, modularity within the ligand-recognising globular domain, and the redundancy of putative C1q receptors. The range of function that C1q has been shown to perform also provides clues for the undiscovered functions of a number of C1q family members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annapurna Nayak
- Centre for Infection, Immunity and Disease Mechanisms, Biosciences, School of Health Sciences and Social Care, Brunel University, Uxbridge, London UB8 3PH, UK
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Abstract
Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are inevitably lethal neurodegenerative diseases that affect humans and a large variety of animals. The infectious agent responsible for TSEs is the prion, an abnormally folded and aggregated protein that propagates itself by imposing its conformation onto the cellular prion protein (PrPC) of the host. PrPCis necessary for prion replication and for prion-induced neurodegeneration, yet the proximal causes of neuronal injury and death are still poorly understood. Prion toxicity may arise from the interference with the normal function of PrPC, and therefore, understanding the physiological role of PrPCmay help to clarify the mechanism underlying prion diseases. Here we discuss the evolution of the prion concept and how prion-like mechanisms may apply to other protein aggregation diseases. We describe the clinical and the pathological features of the prion diseases in human and animals, the events occurring during neuroinvasion, and the possible scenarios underlying brain damage. Finally, we discuss potential antiprion therapies and current developments in the realm of prion diagnostics.
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Brown KL, Wathne GJ, Sales J, Bruce ME, Mabbott NA. The effects of host age on follicular dendritic cell status dramatically impair scrapie agent neuroinvasion in aged mice. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2009; 183:5199-207. [PMID: 19786551 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.0802695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Following peripheral exposure, many transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) agents accumulate first in lymphoid tissues before spreading to the CNS (termed neuroinvasion) where they cause neurodegeneration. Early TSE agent accumulation upon follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) in lymphoid follicles appears critical for efficient neuroinvasion. Most clinical cases of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease have occurred in young adults, although the reasons behind this apparent age-related susceptibility are uncertain. Host age has a significant influence on immune function. As FDC status and immune complex trapping is reduced in aged mice (600 days old), we hypothesized that this aging-related decline in FDC function might impair TSE pathogenesis. We show that coincident with the effects of host age on FDC status, the early TSE agent accumulation in the spleens of aged mice was significantly impaired. Furthermore, following peripheral exposure, none of the aged mice developed clinical TSE disease during their lifespans, although most mice displayed histopathological signs of TSE disease in their brains. Our data imply that the reduced status of FDCs in aged mice significantly impairs the early TSE agent accumulation in lymphoid tissues and subsequent neuroinvasion. Furthermore, the inefficient neuroinvasion in aged individuals may lead to significant levels of subclinical TSE disease in the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen L Brown
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Roslin, United Kingdom
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Nuvolone M, Aguzzi A, Heikenwalder M. Cells and prions: A license to replicate. FEBS Lett 2009; 583:2674-84. [DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2009.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2009] [Revised: 06/01/2009] [Accepted: 06/09/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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