1
|
Bartz JC, Benavente R, Caughey B, Christensen S, Herbst A, Hoover EA, Mathiason CK, McKenzie D, Morales R, Schwabenlander MD, Walsh DP. Chronic Wasting Disease: State of the Science. Pathogens 2024; 13:138. [PMID: 38392876 PMCID: PMC10892334 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13020138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a prion disease affecting cervid species, both free-ranging and captive populations. As the geographic range continues to expand and disease prevalence continues to increase, CWD will have an impact on cervid populations, local economies, and ecosystem health. Mitigation of this "wicked" disease will require input from many different stakeholders including hunters, landowners, research biologists, wildlife managers, and others, working together. The NC1209 (North American interdisciplinary chronic wasting disease research consortium) is composed of scientists from different disciplines involved with investigating and managing CWD. Leveraging this broad breadth of expertise, the Consortium has created a state-of-the-science review of five key aspects of CWD, including current diagnostic capabilities for detecting prions, requirements for validating these diagnostics, the role of environmental transmission in CWD dynamics, and potential zoonotic risks associated with CWD. The goal of this review is to increase stakeholders', managers', and decision-makers' understanding of this disease informed by current scientific knowledge.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason C. Bartz
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA;
| | - Rebeca Benavente
- Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.B.); (R.M.)
| | - Byron Caughey
- Laboratory of Neurological Infections and Immunity, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA;
| | - Sonja Christensen
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA;
| | - Allen Herbst
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, WI 53711, USA;
| | - Edward A. Hoover
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; (E.A.H.); (C.K.M.)
| | - Candace K. Mathiason
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; (E.A.H.); (C.K.M.)
| | - Debbie McKenzie
- Department of Biological Sciences, Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2M9, Canada;
| | - Rodrigo Morales
- Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.B.); (R.M.)
- Centro Integrativo de Biologia y Quimica Aplicada (CIBQA), Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins, Santiago 8370993, Chile
| | - Marc D. Schwabenlander
- Minnesota Center for Prion Research and Outreach, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA;
| | - Daniel P. Walsh
- U.S. Geological Survey, Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sweetland GD, Eggleston C, Bartz JC, Mathiason CK, Kincaid AE. Expression of the cellular prion protein by mast cells in the human carotid body. Prion 2023; 17:67-74. [PMID: 36943020 PMCID: PMC10038025 DOI: 10.1080/19336896.2023.2193128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are fatal neurologic disorders that can be transmitted by blood transfusion. The route for neuroinvasion following exposure to infected blood is not known. Carotid bodies (CBs) are specialized chemosensitive structures that detect the concentration of blood gasses and provide feedback for the neural control of respiration. Sensory cells of the CB are highly perfused and densely innervated by nerves that are synaptically connected to the brainstem and thoracic spinal cord, known to be areas of early prion deposition following oral infection. Given their direct exposure to blood and neural connections to central nervous system (CNS) areas involved in prion neuroinvasion, we sought to determine if there were cells in the human CB that express the cellular prion protein (PrPC), a characteristic that would support CBs serving as a route for prion neuroinvasion. We collected CBs from cadaver donor bodies and determined that mast cells located in the carotid bodies express PrPC and that these cells are in close proximity to blood vessels, nerves, and nerve terminals that are synaptically connected to the brainstem and spinal cord.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gregory D Sweetland
- Department of Pharmacy Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Connor Eggleston
- Department of Pharmacy Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Jason C Bartz
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Candace K Mathiason
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Anthony E Kincaid
- Department of Pharmacy Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Westrich JA, McNulty EE, Carpenter M, Burton M, Reed K, Nalls A, Sandoval A, Mayo C, Mathiason CK. Monitoring longitudinal immunological responses to bluetongue virus 17 in experimentally infected sheep. Virus Res 2023; 338:199246. [PMID: 37858729 PMCID: PMC10594635 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2023.199246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Bluetongue virus (BTV) is an economically important pathogen of ruminant species with worldwide prevalence. While many BTV infections are asymptomatic, animals with symptomatic presentation deteriorate quickly with the sickest succumbing to disease within one week. Animals that survive the infection often require months to recover. The immune response to BTV infection is thought to play a central role in controlling the disease. Key to understanding BTV disease is profiling vertebrate host immunological cellular and cytokine responses. Studies to characterize immune responses in ruminants have been limited by a lack of species-specific reagents and assay technology. Here we assess the longitudinal immunological response to experimental BTV-17-California (CA) infection in sheep using the most up to date assays. We infected a cohort of sheep with BTV-17-CA and longitudinally monitored each animal for clinical disease, viremia and specific immunological parameters (B cells, T cells, monocytes) by RT-qPCR, traditional flow cytometry and/or fluorescent based antibody arrays. BTV-inoculated sheep exhibited clinical signs characteristic of bluetongue virus disease. Circulating virus was demonstrated after 8 days post inoculation (DPI) and remained detectable for the remainder of the time course (24 DPI). A distinct lymphopenia was observed between 7 and 14 DPI that rebounded to mock-inoculated control levels at 17 DPI. In addition, we observed increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines after 8 DPI. Taken together, we have established a model of BTV infection in sheep and have successfully monitored the longitudinal vertebrate host immunological response and viral infection progression using a combination of traditional methods and cutting-edge technology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph A Westrich
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Erin E McNulty
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Molly Carpenter
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Mollie Burton
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Kirsten Reed
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Amy Nalls
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Audrey Sandoval
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Christie Mayo
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Candace K Mathiason
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Thackray AM, McNulty EE, Nalls AV, Cardova A, Tran L, Telling G, Benestad SL, Gilch S, Mathiason CK, Bujdoso R. Genetic modulation of CWD prion propagation in cervid PrP Drosophila. Biochem J 2023; 480:1485-1501. [PMID: 37747806 PMCID: PMC10586768 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20230247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Chronic wasting disease is a fatal prion condition of cervids such as deer, elk, moose and reindeer. Secretion and excretion of prion infectivity from North American cervids with this condition causes environmental contamination and subsequent efficient lateral transmission in free-ranging and farmed cervids. Variants of cervid PrP exist that affect host susceptibility to chronic wasting disease. Cervid breeding programmes aimed at increasing the frequency of PrP variants associated with resistance to chronic wasting disease may reduce the burden of this condition in animals and lower the risk of zoonotic disease. This strategy requires a relatively rapid and economically viable model system to characterise and support selection of prion disease-modifying cervid PrP variants. Here, we generated cervid PrP transgenic Drosophila to fulfil this purpose. We have generated Drosophila transgenic for S138 wild type cervid PrP, or the N138 variant associated with resistance to chronic wasting disease. We show that cervid PrP Drosophila accumulate bona fide prion infectivity after exposure to cervid prions. Furthermore, S138 and N138 PrP fly lines are susceptible to cervid prion isolates from either North America or Europe when assessed phenotypically by accelerated loss of locomotor ability or survival, or biochemically by accumulation of prion seeding activity. However, after exposure to European reindeer prions, N138 PrP Drosophila accumulated prion seeding activity with slower kinetics than the S138 fly line. These novel data show that prion susceptibility characteristics of cervid PrP variants are maintained when expressed in Drosophila, which highlights this novel invertebrate host in modelling chronic wasting disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alana M. Thackray
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ES, U.K
| | - Erin E. McNulty
- Prion Research Center (PRC) and the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, U.S.A
| | - Amy V. Nalls
- Prion Research Center (PRC) and the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, U.S.A
| | - Alzbeta Cardova
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ES, U.K
| | - Linh Tran
- Department of Biohazard and Pathology, WOAH Reference Laboratory for CWD (SLB), National Veterinary Institute, Postboks 64, 1431 Ås, Norway
| | - Glenn Telling
- Prion Research Center (PRC) and the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, U.S.A
| | - Sylvie L. Benestad
- Department of Biohazard and Pathology, WOAH Reference Laboratory for CWD (SLB), National Veterinary Institute, Postboks 64, 1431 Ås, Norway
| | - Sabine Gilch
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Candace K. Mathiason
- Prion Research Center (PRC) and the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, U.S.A
| | - Raymond Bujdoso
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ES, U.K
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kraft CN, Denkers ND, Mathiason CK, Hoover EA. Longitudinal detection of prion shedding in nasal secretions of CWD-infected white-tailed deer. J Gen Virol 2023; 104:001825. [PMID: 36748533 PMCID: PMC10233467 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emergent prion disease spreading in cervid populations in North America, South Korea and Scandinavia. Rapid detection of CWD prions shed by live animals using minimally invasive methods remains an important need. Previous studies in deer, elk and hamsters have demonstrated prion replication in the nasal olfactory mucosa, yet the temporal profile of CWD prion shedding in nasal secretions has not been well characterized. Here we report nasal prion shedding in 18 deer orally exposed to low doses of CWD prions and monitored longitudinally by several parameters. Serially collected nasal swabs were assayed for CWD prion seeding activity using iron oxide magnetic extraction and real-time quaking-induced conversion (IOME RT-QuIC). These findings were correlated with the results from longitudinal tonsil biopsies, terminal tissues and PRNP genotype. We detected nasal prion shedding 3-16 months after the first positive tonsil biopsy in ten of the 18 deer; detectable shedding persisted thereafter in nine of the ten animals. Surprisingly, nasal swabs were negative in eight deer, even though all were CWD-infected as determined by tonsil biopsies and terminal tissue assays. Nasal shedding was detected more often in deer that were homozygous for glycine at codon 96, and those that were near or demonstrating symptoms of clinical disease shed earlier and more frequently, irrespective of prion exposure dose. The results of this study demonstrate nasal shedding of CWD prions that can be detected using minimally invasive nasal swab sampling and RT-QuIC analysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caitlyn N. Kraft
- Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Nathaniel D. Denkers
- Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Candace K. Mathiason
- Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Edward A. Hoover
- Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Thackray AM, Lam B, McNulty EE, Nalls AV, Mathiason CK, Magadi SS, Jackson WS, Andréoletti O, Marrero-Winkens C, Schätzl H, Bujdoso R. Clearance of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease prions in vivo by the Hsp70 disaggregase system. Brain 2022; 145:3236-3249. [PMID: 35446941 PMCID: PMC9473358 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The metazoan Hsp70 disaggregase protects neurons from proteotoxicity that arises from the accumulation of misfolded protein aggregates. Hsp70 and its co-chaperones disassemble and extract polypeptides from protein aggregates for refolding or degradation. The effectiveness of the chaperone system decreases with age and leads to accumulation rather than removal of neurotoxic protein aggregates. Therapeutic enhancement of the Hsp70 protein disassembly machinery is proposed to counter late-onset protein misfolding neurodegenerative disease that may arise. In the context of prion disease, it is not known whether stimulation of protein aggregate disassembly paradoxically leads to enhanced formation of seeding competent species of disease-specific proteins and acceleration of neurodegenerative disease. Here we have tested the hypothesis that modulation of Hsp70 disaggregase activity perturbs mammalian prion-induced neurotoxicity and prion seeding activity. To do so we used prion protein (PrP) transgenic Drosophila that authentically replicate mammalian prions. RNASeq identified that Hsp70, DnaJ-1 and Hsp110 gene expression was downregulated in prion-exposed PrP Drosophila. We demonstrated that RNAi knockdown of Hsp110 or DnaJ-1 gene expression in variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease prion-exposed human PrP Drosophila enhanced neurotoxicity, whereas overexpression mitigated toxicity. Strikingly, prion seeding activity in variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease prion-exposed human PrP Drosophila was ablated or reduced by Hsp110 or DnaJ-1 overexpression, respectively. Similar effects were seen in scrapie prion-exposed ovine PrP Drosophila with modified Hsp110 or DnaJ-1 gene expression. These unique observations show that the metazoan Hsp70 disaggregase facilitates the clearance of mammalian prions and that its enhanced activity is a potential therapeutic strategy for human prion disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alana M Thackray
- University of Cambridge, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Brian Lam
- Medical Research Council Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Erin E McNulty
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Amy V Nalls
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Candace K Mathiason
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Srivathsa Subramanya Magadi
- Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Walker S Jackson
- Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Olivier Andréoletti
- UMR INRA ENVT 1225 -Hôtes-Agents Pathogènes, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, 23 Chemin des Capelles, 31076 Toulouse, France
| | - Cristóbal Marrero-Winkens
- Calgary Prion Research Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary TRW 2D10, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 4Z6
| | - Hermann Schätzl
- Calgary Prion Research Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary TRW 2D10, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 4Z6
| | - Raymond Bujdoso
- University of Cambridge, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Kopanke J, Carpenter M, Lee J, Reed K, Rodgers C, Burton M, Lovett K, Westrich JA, McNulty E, McDermott E, Barbera C, Cavany S, Rohr JR, Perkins TA, Mathiason CK, Stenglein M, Mayo C. Bluetongue Research at a Crossroads: Modern Genomics Tools Can Pave the Way to New Insights. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2022; 10:303-324. [PMID: 35167317 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-animal-051721-023724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Bluetongue virus (BTV) is an arthropod-borne, segmented double-stranded RNA virus that can cause severe disease in both wild and domestic ruminants. BTV evolves via several key mechanisms, including the accumulation of mutations over time and the reassortment of genome segments.Additionally, BTV must maintain fitness in two disparate hosts, the insect vector and the ruminant. The specific features of viral adaptation in each host that permit host-switching are poorly characterized. Limited field studies and experimental work have alluded to the presence of these phenomena at work, but our understanding of the factors that drive or constrain BTV's genetic diversification remains incomplete. Current research leveraging novel approaches and whole genome sequencing applications promises to improve our understanding of BTV's evolution, ultimately contributing to the development of better predictive models and management strategies to reduce future impacts of bluetongue epizootics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Kopanke
- Office of the Campus Veterinarian, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington, USA;
| | - Molly Carpenter
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA; , , , , , , , , ,
| | - Justin Lee
- Genomic Sequencing Laboratory, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA;
| | - Kirsten Reed
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA; , , , , , , , , ,
| | - Case Rodgers
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA; , , , , , , , , ,
| | - Mollie Burton
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA; , , , , , , , , ,
| | - Kierra Lovett
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA; , , , , , , , , ,
| | - Joseph A Westrich
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA; , , , , , , , , ,
| | - Erin McNulty
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA; , , , , , , , , ,
| | - Emily McDermott
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA;
| | - Carly Barbera
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; , , ,
| | - Sean Cavany
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; , , ,
| | - Jason R Rohr
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; , , ,
| | - T Alex Perkins
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; , , ,
| | - Candace K Mathiason
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA; , , , , , , , , ,
| | - Mark Stenglein
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA; , , , , , , , , ,
| | - Christie Mayo
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA; , , , , , , , , ,
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Mathiason CK. Large animal models for chronic wasting disease. Cell Tissue Res 2022; 392:21-31. [PMID: 35113219 PMCID: PMC8811588 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-022-03590-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal neurodegenerative prion disease of cervid species including deer, elk, moose and reindeer. The disease has shown both geographic and species expansion since its discovery in the late 1960’s and is now recognized in captive and free-ranging cervid populations in North America, Asia and Europe. The facile transmission of CWD is unique among prion diseases and has resulted in growing concern for cervid populations and human public health. The development of native cervid host models with longitudinal monitoring has revealed new insights about CWD pathogenesis and transmission dynamics. More than 20 years of experimental studies conducted in these models, using biologically relevant routes of infection, have led to better understanding of many aspect of CWD infections. This review addresses some of these insights, including: (i) the temporal intra-host trafficking of CWD prions in tissues and bodily fluids, (ii) the presence of infectivity shed in bodily excretions that may help explain the facile transmission of CWD, (iii) mother-to-offspring CWD transmission, (iv) the influence of some Prnp polymorphisms on CWD susceptibility, and (vi) continued development of vaccine strategies to mitigate CWD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C K Mathiason
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States, 80523.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Suzuki A, Sawada K, Yamasaki T, Denkers ND, Mathiason CK, Hoover EA, Horiuchi M. Involvement of N- and C-terminal region of recombinant cervid prion protein in its reactivity to CWD and atypical BSE prions in real-time quaking-induced conversion reaction in the presence of high concentrations of tissue homogenates. Prion 2021; 14:283-295. [PMID: 33345717 PMCID: PMC7757825 DOI: 10.1080/19336896.2020.1858694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) reaction is a sensitive and specific method for detecting prions. However, inhibitory factors present in tissue homogenates can easily interfere with this reaction. To identify the RT-QuIC condition under which low levels of chronic wasting disease (CWD) and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) prions can be detected in the presence of high concentrations of brain tissue homogenates, reactivities of various recombinant prion proteins (rPrPs) were tested. Among the tested rPrPs, recombinant cervid PrP (rCerPrP) showed a unique reactivity: the reactivity of rCerPrP to CWD and atypical BSE prions was not highly affected by high concentrations of normal brain homogenates. The unique reactivity of rCerPrP disappeared when the N-terminal region (aa 25–93) was truncated. Replacement of aa 23–149 of mouse (Mo) PrP with the corresponding region of CerPrP partially restored the unique reactivity of rCerPrP in RT-QuIC. Replacement of the extreme C-terminal region of MoPrP aa 219–231 to the corresponding region of CerPrP partially conferred the unique reactivity of rCerPrP to rMoPrP, suggesting the involvement of both N- and C-terminal regions. Additionally, rCerN–Mo–CerCPrP, a chimeric PrP comprising CerPrP aa 25–153, MoPrP aa 150–218, and CerPrP aa 223–233, showed an additive effect of the N- and C-terminal regions. These results provide a mechanistic implication for detecting CWD and atypical BSE prions using rCerPrP and are useful for further improvements of RT-QuIC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akio Suzuki
- Laboratory of Veterinary Hygiene, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Hokkaido University , Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kazuhei Sawada
- Laboratory of Veterinary Hygiene, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Hokkaido University , Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Takeshi Yamasaki
- Laboratory of Veterinary Hygiene, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Hokkaido University , Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Nathaniel D Denkers
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University , Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Candace K Mathiason
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University , Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Edward A Hoover
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University , Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Motohiro Horiuchi
- Laboratory of Veterinary Hygiene, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Hokkaido University , Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan.,Global Station for Zoonosis Control. Global Institute for Collaborative Research and Education, Hokkaido University , Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Westrich JA, McNulty EE, Edmonds MJ, Nalls AV, Miller MR, Foy BD, Rovnak J, Perera R, Mathiason CK. Characterization of subclinical ZIKV infection in immune-competent guinea pigs and mice. J Gen Virol 2021; 102. [PMID: 34410903 PMCID: PMC8513637 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
An infectious agent’s pathogenic and transmission potential is heavily influenced by early events during the asymptomatic or subclinical phase of disease. During this phase, the presence of infectious agent may be relatively low. An important example of this is Zika virus (ZIKV), which can cross the placenta and infect the foetus, even in mothers with subclinical infections. These subclinical infections represent roughly 80 % of all human infections. Initial ZIKV pathogenesis studies were performed in type I interferon receptor (IFNAR) knockout mice. Blunting the interferon response resulted in robust infectivity, and increased the utility of mice to model ZIKV infections. However, due to the removal of the interferon response, the use of these models impedes full characterization of immune responses to ZIKV-related pathologies. Moreover, IFNAR-deficient models represent severe disease whereas less is known regarding subclinical infections. Investigation of the anti-viral immune response elicited at the maternal-foetal interface is critical to fully understand mechanisms involved in foetal infection, foetal development, and disease processes recognized to occur during subclinical maternal infections. Thus, immunocompetent experimental models that recapitulate natural infections are needed. We have established subclinical intravaginal ZIKV infections in mice and guinea pigs. We found that these infections resulted in: the presence of both ZIKV RNA transcripts and infectious virus in maternal and placental tissues, establishment of foetal infections and ZIKV-mediated CXCL10 expression. These models will aid in discerning the mechanisms of subclinical ZIKV mother-to-offspring transmission, and by extension can be used to investigate other maternal infections that impact foetal development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph A Westrich
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Erin E McNulty
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Marisa J Edmonds
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Amy V Nalls
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Megan R Miller
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Brian D Foy
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Joel Rovnak
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Rushika Perera
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Candace K Mathiason
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Luk CC, Mathiason CK, Orrù CD, Jansen GH, Thiele A, Caughey B, Sim VL. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in pregnancy: the use of modified RT-QuIC to determine infectivity in placental tissues. Prion 2021; 15:107-111. [PMID: 34132175 PMCID: PMC8210859 DOI: 10.1080/19336896.2021.1933872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob Disease (sCJD) rarely affects women of childbearing age. There is currently no evidence of vertical transmission. Given the biosafety implications of performing Caesarean sections (C-section) in these patients, we used sensitive real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assays to test for the infectious prion protein (PrPSc) in products of gestation. A 35-year-old woman with sCJD presented in her 10th gestational week with an eight month history of progressive cognitive impairment. During C-section, amniotic fluid, cord blood and placental tissue were collected and analysed using RT-QuIC protocols adapted for use with these tissues. The patient’s diagnosis of sCJD, MM2 subtype, was confirmed at autopsy. There were borderline positive results in one sampled area of the placenta, but otherwise the cord blood and amniotic fluid were negative on our RT-QuIC assays. A healthy baby was delivered via C-section at 36 weeks and 3 days gestational age, with no evidence of neurological disease to date. We conclude that precautions should be taken with products of gestation, but the level of PrPSc is extremely low.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Collin C Luk
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Candace K Mathiason
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Prion Research Center, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Christina D Orrù
- Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Gerard H Jansen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Allison Thiele
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Byron Caughey
- Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Valerie L Sim
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.,Centre for Prions & Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Van Campen H, Bishop JV, Abrahams VM, Bielefeldt-Ohmann H, Mathiason CK, Bouma GJ, Winger QA, Mayo CE, Bowen RA, Hansen TR. Maternal Influenza A Virus Infection Restricts Fetal and Placental Growth and Adversely Affects the Fetal Thymic Transcriptome. Viruses 2020; 12:v12091003. [PMID: 32911797 PMCID: PMC7551156 DOI: 10.3390/v12091003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal influenza A viral infections in humans are associated with low birth weight, increased risk of pre-term birth, stillbirth and congenital defects. To examine the effect of maternal influenza virus infection on placental and fetal growth, pregnant C57BL/6 mice were inoculated intranasally with influenza A virus A/CA/07/2009 pandemic H1N1 or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at E3.5, E7.5 or E12.5, and the placentae and fetuses collected and weighed at E18.5. Fetal thymuses were pooled from each litter. Placentae were examined histologically, stained by immunohistochemistry (IHC) for CD34 (hematopoietic progenitor cell antigen) and vascular channels quantified. RNA from E7.5 and E12.5 placentae and E7.5 fetal thymuses was subjected to RNA sequencing and pathway analysis. Placental weights were decreased in litters inoculated with influenza at E3.5 and E7.5. Placentae from E7.5 and E12.5 inoculated litters exhibited decreased labyrinth development and the transmembrane protein 150A gene was upregulated in E7.5 placentae. Fetal weights were decreased in litters inoculated at E7.5 and E12.5 compared to controls. RNA sequencing of E7.5 thymuses indicated that 957 genes were downregulated ≥2-fold including Mal, which is associated with Toll-like receptor signaling and T cell differentiation. There were 28 upregulated genes. It is concluded that maternal influenza A virus infection impairs fetal thymic gene expression as well as restricting placental and fetal growth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hana Van Campen
- Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; (H.V.C.); (J.V.B.); (G.J.B.); (Q.A.W.); (R.A.B.)
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; (C.K.M.); (C.E.M.)
| | - Jeanette V. Bishop
- Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; (H.V.C.); (J.V.B.); (G.J.B.); (Q.A.W.); (R.A.B.)
| | - Vikki M. Abrahams
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA;
| | - Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia;
| | - Candace K. Mathiason
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; (C.K.M.); (C.E.M.)
| | - Gerrit J. Bouma
- Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; (H.V.C.); (J.V.B.); (G.J.B.); (Q.A.W.); (R.A.B.)
| | - Quinton A. Winger
- Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; (H.V.C.); (J.V.B.); (G.J.B.); (Q.A.W.); (R.A.B.)
| | - Christie E. Mayo
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; (C.K.M.); (C.E.M.)
| | - Richard A. Bowen
- Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; (H.V.C.); (J.V.B.); (G.J.B.); (Q.A.W.); (R.A.B.)
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; (C.K.M.); (C.E.M.)
| | - Thomas R. Hansen
- Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; (H.V.C.); (J.V.B.); (G.J.B.); (Q.A.W.); (R.A.B.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Denkers ND, Hoover CE, Davenport KA, Henderson DM, McNulty EE, Nalls AV, Mathiason CK, Hoover EA. Very low oral exposure to prions of brain or saliva origin can transmit chronic wasting disease. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0237410. [PMID: 32817706 PMCID: PMC7446902 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The minimum infectious dose required to induce CWD infection in cervids remains unknown, as does whether peripherally shed prions and/or multiple low dose exposures are important factors in CWD transmission. With the goal of better understand CWD infection in nature, we studied oral exposures of deer to very low doses of CWD prions and also examined whether the frequency of exposure or prion source may influence infection and pathogenesis. We orally inoculated white-tailed deer with either single or multiple divided doses of prions of brain or saliva origin and monitored infection by serial longitudinal tissue biopsies spanning over two years. We report that oral exposure to as little as 300 nanograms (ng) of CWD-positive brain or to saliva containing seeding activity equivalent to 300 ng of CWD-positive brain, were sufficient to transmit CWD disease. This was true whether the inoculum was administered as a single bolus or divided as three weekly 100 ng exposures. However, when the 300 ng total dose was apportioned as 10, 30 ng doses delivered over 12 weeks, no infection occurred. While low-dose exposures to prions of brain or saliva origin prolonged the time from inoculation to first detection of infection, once infection was established, we observed no differences in disease pathogenesis. These studies suggest that the CWD minimum infectious dose approximates 100 to 300 ng CWD-positive brain (or saliva equivalent), and that CWD infection appears to conform more with a threshold than a cumulative dose dynamic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel D. Denkers
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Clare E. Hoover
- AstraZeneca Inc., Waltham, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kristen A. Davenport
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Davin M. Henderson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Erin E. McNulty
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Amy V. Nalls
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Candace K. Mathiason
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Edward A. Hoover
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Tennant JM, Li M, Henderson DM, Tyer ML, Denkers ND, Haley NJ, Mathiason CK, Hoover EA. Shedding and stability of CWD prion seeding activity in cervid feces. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0227094. [PMID: 32126066 PMCID: PMC7053746 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
CWD is an emergent prion disease that now affects cervid species on three continents. CWD is efficiently spread in wild and captive populations, likely through both direct animal contact and environmental contamination. Here, by longitudinally assaying in feces of CWD-exposed white-tailed deer by RT-QuIC, we demonstrate fecal shedding of prion seeding activity months before onset of clinical symptoms and continuing throughout the disease course. We also examine the impact of simulated environmental conditions such as repeated freeze-thaw cycles and desiccation on fecal prion seeding activity. We found that while multiple (n = 7) freeze-thaw cycles substantially decreased fecal seeding activity, desiccation had little to no effect on seeding activity. Finally, we examined whether RT-QuIC testing of landscape fecal deposits could distinguish two premises with substantial known CWD prevalence from one in which no CWD-infected animals had been detected. In the above pilot study, this distinction was possible. We conclude that fecal shedding of CWD prions occurs over much of the disease course, that environmental factors influence prion seeding activity, and that it is feasible to detect fecal prion contamination using RT-QuIC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joanne M. Tennant
- Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Manci Li
- Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Davin M. Henderson
- Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Margaret L. Tyer
- Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Nathaniel D. Denkers
- Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Nicholas J. Haley
- Midwestern University, College of Graduate Studies, Glendale, AZ, United States of America
| | - Candace K. Mathiason
- Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Edward A. Hoover
- Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
McNulty EE, Nalls AV, Xun R, Denkers ND, Hoover EA, Mathiason CK. In vitro detection of haematogenous prions in white-tailed deer orally dosed with low concentrations of chronic wasting disease. J Gen Virol 2020; 101:347-361. [PMID: 31846418 PMCID: PMC7416609 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Infectivity associated with prion disease has been demonstrated in blood throughout the course of disease, yet the ability to detect blood-borne prions by in vitro methods remains challenging. We capitalized on longitudinal pathogenesis studies of chronic wasting disease (CWD) conducted in the native host to examine haematogenous prion load by real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) and protein misfolding cyclic amplification. Our study demonstrated in vitro detection of amyloid seeding activity (prions) in buffy-coat cells harvested from deer orally dosed with low concentrations of CWD positive (+) brain (1 gr and 300 ng) or saliva (300 ng RT-QuIC equivalent). These findings make possible the longitudinal assessment of prion disease and deeper investigation of the role haematogenous prions play in prion pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erin E. McNulty
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Amy V. Nalls
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Randy Xun
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Nathaniel D. Denkers
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Edward A. Hoover
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Candace K. Mathiason
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Henderson DM, Denkers ND, Hoover CE, McNulty EE, Cooper SK, Bracchi LA, Mathiason CK, Hoover EA. Progression of chronic wasting disease in white-tailed deer analyzed by serial biopsy RT-QuIC and immunohistochemistry. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0228327. [PMID: 32059005 PMCID: PMC7021286 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) continues to spread or be recognized in the United States, Canada, and Europe. CWD is diagnosed by demonstration of the causative misfolded prion protein (PrPCWD) in either brain or lymphoid tissue using immunodetection methods, with immunohistochemistry (IHC) recognized as the gold standard. In recent years, in vitro amplification assays have been developed that can detect CWD prion seeding activity in tissues, excreta, and body fluids of affected cervids. These methods potentially offer earlier and more facile detection of CWD, both pre- and post-mortem. Here we provide a longitudinal profile of CWD infection progression, as assessed by both real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) and IHC on serial biopsies of mucosal lymphoid tissues of white-tailed deer orally exposed to low doses of CWD prions. We report that detection of CWD infection by RT-QuIC preceded that by IHC in both tonsil and recto-anal lymphoid tissue (RAMALT) in 14 of 19 deer (74%). Of the 322 biopsy samples collected in post-exposure longitudinal monitoring, positive RT-QuIC results were obtained for 146 samples, 91 of which (62%) were concurrently also IHC-positive. The lower frequency of IHC positivity was manifest most in the earlier post-exposure periods and in biopsies in which lymphoid follicles were not detected. For all deer in which RT-QuIC seeding activity was detected in a tonsil or RAMALT biopsy, PrPCWD was subsequently or concurrently detected by IHC. Overall, this study (a) provides a longitudinal profile of CWD infection in deer after low yet infectious oral prion exposure; (b) illustrates the value of RT-QuIC for sensitive detection of CWD; and (c) demonstrates an ultimate high degree of correlation between RT-QuIC and IHC positivity as CWD infection progresses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Davin M Henderson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United states of America
| | - Nathaniel D Denkers
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United states of America
| | - Clare E Hoover
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United states of America
| | - Erin E McNulty
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United states of America
| | - Sarah K Cooper
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United states of America
| | - Lauren A Bracchi
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United states of America
| | - Candace K Mathiason
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United states of America
| | - Edward A Hoover
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United states of America
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Vidal E, Fernández-Borges N, Eraña H, Parra B, Pintado B, Sánchez-Martín MA, Charco JM, Ordóñez M, Pérez-Castro MA, Pumarola M, Mathiason CK, Mayoral T, Castilla J. Dogs are resistant to prion infection, due to the presence of aspartic or glutamic acid at position 163 of their prion protein. FASEB J 2020; 34:3969-3982. [PMID: 31944411 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201902646r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Unlike other species, prion disease has never been described in dogs even though they were similarly exposed to the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) agent. This resistance prompted a thorough analysis of the canine PRNP gene and the presence of a negatively charged amino acid residue in position 163 was readily identified as potentially fundamental as it differed from all known susceptible species. In the present study, the first transgenic mouse model expressing dog prion protein (PrP) was generated and challenged intracerebrally with a panel of prion isolates, none of which could infect them. The brains of these mice were subjected to in vitro prion amplification and failed to find even minimal amounts of misfolded prions providing definitive experimental evidence that dogs are resistant to prion disease. Subsequently, a second transgenic model was generated in which aspartic acid in position 163 was substituted for asparagine (the most common in prion susceptible species) resulting in susceptibility to BSE-derived isolates. These findings strongly support the hypothesis that the amino acid residue at position 163 of canine cellular prion protein (PrPC ) is a major determinant of the exceptional resistance of the canidae family to prion infection and establish this as a promising therapeutic target for prion diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Enric Vidal
- IRTA, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA-UAB), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Beatriz Parra
- Laboratorio Central de Veterinaria (LCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Belén Pintado
- Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB), Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel A Sánchez-Martín
- Servicio de Transgénesis, Nucleus, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,IBSAL, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | | | - Montserrat Ordóñez
- IRTA, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA-UAB), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Martí Pumarola
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals. Facultat de Veterinària, UAB, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Candace K Mathiason
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Tomás Mayoral
- Laboratorio Central de Veterinaria (LCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Joaquín Castilla
- CIC bioGUNE, Derio, Spain.,IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Cooper SK, Hoover CE, Henderson DM, Haley NJ, Mathiason CK, Hoover EA. Detection of CWD in cervids by RT-QuIC assay of third eyelids. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0221654. [PMID: 31461493 PMCID: PMC6713355 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The diagnosis of chronic wasting disease (CWD) relies on demonstration of the disease-associated misfolded CWD prion protein (PrPCWD) in brain or retropharyngeal lymph node tissue by immunodetection methods, e.g. ELISA and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The success of these methods relies on a quality sample of tissues, which requires both anatomical knowledge and considerable dissection to collect. As the prevalence of CWD continues to increase globally, the development of fast and cost-effective methods to detect the disease is vital to facilitate CWD detection and surveillance. To address these issues, we have evaluated third eyelids from CWD-infected deer and elk using real-time quaking induced conversion (RT-QuIC). We identified prion seeding activity in third eyelids in 24 of 25 (96%) CWD-infected white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). We detected RT-QuIC positivity in the third eyelid as early as 1 month after experimental CWD exposure. In addition, we identified prion seeding activity in third eyelids of 18 of 25 (72%) naturally exposed asymptomatic CWD-positive rocky mountain elk (Cervus canadensis nelson). We compared CWD detection by RT-QuIC and IHC in third eyelid, retropharyngeal lymph node, and brain in 10 deer in early symptomatic stage of disease. IHC detected PrPCWD deposition in third eyelid lymphoid follicles in 5 of 10 deer (50%) whereas third eyelids of all 10 animals were positive by RT-QuIC. This difference reflected in part a lower requirement for lymphoid follicle presence for seeding activity detection by RT-QuIC. In conclusion, RT-QuIC analysis of the third eyelid, an easily accessed tissue, has potential to advance CWD detection and testing compliance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K. Cooper
- 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
| | - Clare E. Hoover
- 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
| | - Davin M. Henderson
- 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
| | - Nicholas J. Haley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Midwestern University, Glendale, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Candace K. Mathiason
- 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
| | - Edward A. Hoover
- 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:
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
McNulty E, Nalls AV, Mellentine S, Hughes E, Pulscher L, Hoover EA, Mathiason CK. Comparison of conventional, amplification and bio-assay detection methods for a chronic wasting disease inoculum pool. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0216621. [PMID: 31071138 PMCID: PMC6508678 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Longitudinal studies of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in the native host have provided considerable understanding of how this prion disease continues to efficiently spread among cervid species. These studies entail great cost in animal, time and financial support. A variety of methods have emerged including transgenic mouse bioassay, western blot, enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA), immunohistochemistry (IHC), serial protein misfolding cyclic amplification (sPMCA) and real time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC), that deepen our understanding of this and other protein misfolding disorders. To further characterize an inoculum source used for ongoing CWD studies and to determine how the readouts from each of these assays compare, we assayed a CWD-positive brain pool homogenate (CBP6) and a mouse dilutional bioassay of this homogenate using the above detection methods. We demonstrate that: (i) amplification assays enhanced detection of amyloid seeding activity in the CWD+ cervid brain pool to levels beyond mouse LD50, (ii) conventional detection methods (IHC and western blot) performed well in identifying the presence of PrPSc in terminal brain tissue yet lack sufficient detection sensitivity to identify all CWD-infected mice, and (iii) the incorporation of amplification assays enhanced detection of CWD-infected mice near the LD50. This cross-platform analysis provides a basis to calibrate the relative sensitivities of CWD detection assays.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erin McNulty
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Amy V. Nalls
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Samuel Mellentine
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Erin Hughes
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Laura Pulscher
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Edward A. Hoover
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Candace K. Mathiason
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Davenport KA, Christiansen JR, Bian J, Young M, Gallegos J, Kim S, Balachandran A, Mathiason CK, Hoover EA, Telling GC. Comparative analysis of prions in nervous and lymphoid tissues of chronic wasting disease-infected cervids. J Gen Virol 2018; 99:753-758. [PMID: 29580373 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence, host range and geographical bounds of chronic wasting disease (CWD), the prion disease of cervids, are expanding. Horizontal transmission likely contributes the majority of new CWD cases, but the mechanism by which prions are transmitted among CWD-affected cervids remains unclear. To address the extent to which prion amplification in peripheral tissues contributes to contagious transmission, we assessed the prion levels in central nervous and lymphoreticular system tissues in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), red deer (Cervus elaphus elaphus) and elk (Cervus canadensis). Using real-time quaking-induced conversion, cervid prion cell assay and transgenic mouse bioassay, we found that the retropharyngeal lymph nodes of red deer, white-tailed deer and elk contained similar prion titres to brain from the same individuals. We propose that marked lymphotropism is essential for the horizontal transmission of prion diseases and postulate that shed CWD prions are produced in the periphery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristen A Davenport
- Prion Research Center (PRC), Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Jeffrey R Christiansen
- Prion Research Center (PRC), Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Jifeng Bian
- Prion Research Center (PRC), Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Michael Young
- Prion Research Center (PRC), Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Joseph Gallegos
- Prion Research Center (PRC), Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Sehun Kim
- Prion Research Center (PRC), Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | | | - Candace K Mathiason
- Prion Research Center (PRC), Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Edward A Hoover
- Prion Research Center (PRC), Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Glenn C Telling
- Prion Research Center (PRC), Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Davenport KA, Hoover CE, Bian J, Telling GC, Mathiason CK, Hoover EA. PrPC expression and prion seeding activity in the alimentary tract and lymphoid tissue of deer. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0183927. [PMID: 28880938 PMCID: PMC5589181 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0183927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2017] [Accepted: 08/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The agent responsible for prion diseases is a misfolded form of a normal protein (PrPC). The prion hypothesis stipulates that PrPC must be present for the disease to manifest. Cervid populations across the world are infected with chronic wasting disease, a horizontally-transmissible prion disease that is likely spread via oral exposure to infectious prions (PrPCWD). Though PrPCWD has been identified in many tissues, there has been little effort to characterize the overall PrPC expression in cervids and its relationship to PrPCWD accumulation. We used immunohistochemistry (IHC), western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to describe PrPC expression in naïve white-tailed deer. We used real-time, quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) to detect prion seeding activity in CWD-infected deer. We assessed tissues comprising the alimentary tract, alimentary-associated lymphoid tissue and systemic lymphoid tissue from 5 naïve deer. PrPC was expressed in all tissues, though expression was often very low compared to the level in the CNS. IHC identified specific cell types wherein PrPC expression is very high. To compare the distribution of PrPC to PrPCWD, we examined 5 deer with advanced CWD infection. Using RT-QuIC, we detected prion seeding activity in all 21 tissues. In 3 subclinical deer sacrificed 4 months post-inoculation, we detected PrPCWD consistently in alimentary-associated lymphoid tissue, irregularly in alimentary tract tissues, and not at all in the brain. Contrary to our hypothesis that PrPC levels dictate prion accumulation, PrPC expression was higher in the lower gastrointestinal tissues than in the alimentary-associated lymphoid system and was higher in salivary glands than in the oropharyngeal lymphoid tissue. These data suggest that PrPC expression is not the sole driver of prion accumulation and that alimentary tract tissues accumulate prions before centrifugal spread from the brain occurs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristen A. Davenport
- Prion Research Center, Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology Department, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Clare E. Hoover
- Prion Research Center, Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology Department, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Jifeng Bian
- Prion Research Center, Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology Department, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Glenn C. Telling
- Prion Research Center, Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology Department, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Candace K. Mathiason
- Prion Research Center, Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology Department, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Edward A. Hoover
- Prion Research Center, Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology Department, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Abstract
Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), or prions, are neurodegenerative diseases that affect a variety of animal species, including humans. Cruetzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in humans, sheep and goat scrapie, chronic wasting disease (CWD) of cervids, and transmissible mink encephalopathy (TME) of mink are classified as TSEs. According to the "protein-only" hypothesis (Prusiner, 1982),1 prions are devoid of nucleic acids and consist of assemblies of misfolded host-encoded normal protein, the prion protein (PrPC). Prion propagation is thought to occur by a templating mechanism during which PrPC is recruited, converted to a disease-associated isoform (PrPD), and assembled onto the growing amyloid fibril. This fibular assembly is infectious, with ability to initiate disease processes similar to other pathogenic agents. Evidence indicates that scrapie, CWD, and TME disease processes follow this rule.
Collapse
|
23
|
Abstract
A possible strategy to develop more diverse cell culture systems permissive to infection with naturally occurring prions is to exploit culture of neurospheres from transgenic mice expressing the normal prion protein (PrP) of the native host species. Accordingly, we developed differentiated neurosphere cultures from the cervid PrP-expressing mice to investigate whether this in vitro system would support replication of non-adapted cervid-origin chronic wasting disease (CWD) prions. Here we report the successful amplification of disease-associated PrP in differentiated neurosphere cultures within 3 weeks after exposure to CWD prions from both white-tailed deer or elk. This neurosphere culture system provides a new in vitro tool that can be used to assess non-adapted CWD prion propagation and transmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yoshifumi Iwamaru
- a Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology , College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University , Fort Collins , CO , USA.,b Prion Disease Research Unit , National Institute of Animal Health , Tsukuba , Ibaraki , Japan
| | - Candace K Mathiason
- a Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology , College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University , Fort Collins , CO , USA
| | - Glenn C Telling
- a Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology , College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University , Fort Collins , CO , USA
| | - Edward A Hoover
- a Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology , College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University , Fort Collins , CO , USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Henderson DM, Tennant JM, Haley NJ, Denkers ND, Mathiason CK, Hoover EA. Detection of chronic wasting disease prion seeding activity in deer and elk feces by real-time quaking-induced conversion. J Gen Virol 2017; 98:1953-1962. [PMID: 28703697 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.000844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emergent prion disease affecting cervid species in North America, Canada, South Korea, and recently, Norway. Detection of CWD has been advanced by techniques that rely on amplification of low levels of prion amyloid to a detectable level. However, the increased sensitivity of amplification assays is often compromised by inhibitors and/or activators in complex biologic samples including body fluids, excreta, or the environment. Here, we adapt real-time quaking-induced conversion conditions to specifically detect CWD prions in fecal samples from both experimentally infected deer and naturally infected elk and estimate environmental contamination. The results have application to detection, surveillance and management of CWD, and potentially to other protein-misfolding diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Davin M Henderson
- Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Joanne M Tennant
- Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Nicholas J Haley
- Department of Microbiology and Pathology, Midwestern State University, Glendale, AZ, USA
| | - Nathaniel D Denkers
- Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Candace K Mathiason
- Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Edward A Hoover
- Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Shikiya RA, Langenfeld KA, Eckland TE, Trinh J, Holec SAM, Mathiason CK, Kincaid AE, Bartz JC. PrPSc formation and clearance as determinants of prion tropism. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006298. [PMID: 28355274 PMCID: PMC5386299 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Revised: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion strains are characterized by strain-specific differences in neuropathology but can also differ in incubation period, clinical disease, host-range and tissue tropism. The hyper (HY) and drowsy (DY) strains of hamster-adapted transmissible mink encephalopathy (TME) differ in tissue tropism and susceptibility to infection by extraneural routes of infection. Notably, DY TME is not detected in the secondary lymphoreticular system (LRS) tissues of infected hosts regardless of the route of inoculation. We found that similar to the lymphotropic strain HY TME, DY TME crosses mucosal epithelia, enters draining lymphatic vessels in underlying laminae propriae, and is transported to LRS tissues. Since DY TME causes disease once it enters the peripheral nervous system, the restriction in DY TME pathogenesis is due to its inability to establish infection in LRS tissues, not a failure of transport. To determine if LRS tissues can support DY TME formation, we performed protein misfolding cyclic amplification using DY PrPSc as the seed and spleen homogenate as the source of PrPC. We found that the spleen environment can support DY PrPSc formation, although at lower rates compared to lymphotropic strains, suggesting that the failure of DY TME to establish infection in the spleen is not due to the absence of a strain-specific conversion cofactor. Finally, we provide evidence that DY PrPSc is more susceptible to degradation when compared to PrPSc from other lymphotrophic strains. We hypothesize that the relative rates of PrPSc formation and clearance can influence prion tropism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ronald A. Shikiya
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Katie A. Langenfeld
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Thomas E. Eckland
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Jonathan Trinh
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Sara A. M. Holec
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Candace K. Mathiason
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Anthony E. Kincaid
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacy Science, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Jason C. Bartz
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
McNulty E, Selariu AI, Anderson K, Hayes-Klug J, Nalls AV, Powers JG, Hoover EA, Mathiason CK. Aspects of the husbandry and management of captive cervids. Lab Anim (NY) 2016; 45:140-2. [PMID: 27003353 DOI: 10.1038/laban.972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In a continuing effort to better understand the transmission and persistence of chronic wasting disease in wild populations of cervids, Colorado State University, Fort Collins houses two species of deer indoors to study the pathogenesis of chronic wasting disease. Here we report key aspects regarding the husbandry and medication of Reeves' muntjac and white-tailed deer in captivity for research purposes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erin McNulty
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
| | - Anca I Selariu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
| | - Kelly Anderson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
| | - Jeanette Hayes-Klug
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
| | - Amy V Nalls
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
| | - Jenny G Powers
- National Park Service, Biological Resources Division, Fort Collins, CO
| | - Edward A Hoover
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
| | - Candace K Mathiason
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Abstract
Bioassays of native cervid hosts have established the presence of infectious chronic wasting disease (CWD) prions in saliva, blood, urine, and feces of clinically diseased and pre-clinical infected deer. The intra-host trafficking of prions from the time of initial infection to shedding has been less well defined. We created a discrete-time compartmentalized model to simulate the misfolding catalysis, trafficking, and shedding of infectious prions throughout the organ systems of CWD-infected cervids. Using parameter values derived from experimental infections of North American deer (Odocoileus spp.), the exponential-based model predicts prion deposition over time with: 1) nervous tissues containing the highest deposition of prions at 20 months post-infection and 2) excreted fluids containing low levels of prions throughout infection with the highest numbers of prions predicted to be shed in saliva and feces (as high as 10 lethal doses (1.34 × 1029 prions) in 11–15 months). These findings are comparable to prion deposition described in literature as assayed by conventional and ultrasensitive amplification assays. The comparison of our model to published data suggests that highly sensitive assays (sPMCA, RT-QuIC, and bioassay) are appropriate for early prion detection in bodily fluids and secretions. The model provides a view of intra-host prion catalysis leading to pre-clinical shedding and provides a framework for continued development of antemortem diagnostic methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karen M Holcomb
- a Department of Biology , Colorado State University , Fort Collins , CO , USA
| | - Nathan L Galloway
- a Department of Biology , Colorado State University , Fort Collins , CO , USA
| | - Candace K Mathiason
- b Department of Microbiology , Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University , Fort Collins , CO , USA
| | - Michael F Antolin
- a Department of Biology , Colorado State University , Fort Collins , CO , USA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Denkers ND, Henderson DM, Mathiason CK, Hoover EA. Enhanced prion detection in biological samples by magnetic particle extraction and real-time quaking-induced conversion. J Gen Virol 2016; 97:2023-2029. [PMID: 27233771 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.000515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Prions have been demonstrated in body fluids and excreta using bioassay, but at levels too low for detection by conventional direct-detection assays. More rapid and sensitive detection of prions in these clinically accessible specimens would be valuable for diagnosis and investigations of transmission, environmental impact, and interventions. In addition to very low concentrations of prions, in vitro amplification assays are challenged by the presence of inhibitors in these complex sources. Here, we leverage the prion attribute of avid metal binding with the versatile power of real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) to enhance and simplify detection of chronic wasting-disease prions in biological samples. Iron oxide particle binding and magnetic extraction combined with RT-QuIC permitted rapid analysis of the low concentrations of prions in saliva, urine, faeces, and cerebrospinal fluid. These methods are pertinent to ante-mortem detection, monitoring, and surveillance, and could conceivably be applicable to other protein-misfolding disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel D Denkers
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Davin M Henderson
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Candace K Mathiason
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Edward A Hoover
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Affiliation(s)
- Candace K. Mathiason
- 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:
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Selariu A, Powers JG, Nalls A, Brandhuber M, Mayfield A, Fullaway S, Wyckoff CA, Goldmann W, Zabel MM, Wild MA, Hoover EA, Mathiason CK. In utero transmission and tissue distribution of chronic wasting disease-associated prions in free-ranging Rocky Mountain elk. J Gen Virol 2015; 96:3444-3455. [PMID: 26358706 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.000281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The presence of disease-associated prions in tissues and bodily fluids of chronic wasting disease (CWD)-infected cervids has received much investigation, yet little is known about mother-to-offspring transmission of CWD. Our previous work demonstrated that mother-to-offspring transmission is efficient in an experimental setting. To address the question of relevance in a naturally exposed free-ranging population, we assessed maternal and fetal tissues derived from 19 elk dam-calf pairs collected from free-ranging Rocky Mountain elk from north-central Colorado, a known CWD endemic region. Conventional immunohistochemistry identified three of 19 CWD-positive dams, whereas a more sensitive assay [serial protein misfolding cyclic amplification (sPMCA)] detected CWD prion seeding activity (PrPCWD) in 15 of 19 dams. PrPCWD distribution in tissues was widespread, and included the central nervous system (CNS), lymphoreticular system, and reproductive, secretory, excretory and adipose tissues. Interestingly, five of 15 sPMCA-positive dams showed no evidence of PrPCWD in either CNS or lymphoreticular system, sites typically assessed in diagnosing CWD. Analysis of fetal tissues harvested from the 15 sPMCA-positive dams revealed PrPCWD in 80 % of fetuses (12 of 15), regardless of gestational stage. These findings demonstrated that PrPCWD is more abundant in peripheral tissues of CWD-exposed elk than current diagnostic methods suggest, and that transmission of prions from mother to offspring may contribute to the efficient transmission of CWD in naturally exposed cervid populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anca Selariu
- Colorado State University, Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Jenny G Powers
- National Park Service, Biological Resources Division, 1201 Oakridge Drive, Suite 200, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Amy Nalls
- Colorado State University, Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Monica Brandhuber
- Colorado State University, Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Amber Mayfield
- Colorado State University, Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Stephenie Fullaway
- Colorado State University, Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Christy A Wyckoff
- Colorado State University, Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Wilfred Goldmann
- Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Mark M Zabel
- Colorado State University, Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Margaret A Wild
- National Park Service, Biological Resources Division, 1201 Oakridge Drive, Suite 200, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Edward A Hoover
- Colorado State University, Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Candace K Mathiason
- Colorado State University, Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Goñi F, Mathiason CK, Yim L, Wong K, Hayes-Klug J, Nalls A, Peyser D, Estevez V, Denkers N, Xu J, Osborn DA, Miller KV, Warren RJ, Brown DR, Chabalgoity JA, Hoover EA, Wisniewski T. Mucosal immunization with an attenuated Salmonella vaccine partially protects white-tailed deer from chronic wasting disease. Vaccine 2014; 33:726-33. [PMID: 25539804 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2014.11.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2014] [Revised: 11/13/2014] [Accepted: 11/19/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Prion disease is a unique category of illness, affecting both animals and humans, in which the underlying pathogenesis is related to a conformational change of a normal, self-protein called PrP(C) (C for cellular) to a pathological and infectious conformer known as PrP(Sc) (Sc for scrapie). Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), a prion disease believed to have arisen from feeding cattle with prion contaminated meat and bone meal products, crossed the species barrier to infect humans. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) infects large numbers of deer and elk, with the potential to infect humans. Currently no prionosis has an effective treatment. Previously, we have demonstrated we could prevent transmission of prions in a proportion of susceptible mice with a mucosal vaccine. In the current study, white-tailed deer were orally inoculated with attenuated Salmonella expressing PrP, while control deer were orally inoculated with vehicle attenuated Salmonella. Once a mucosal response was established, the vaccinated animals were boosted orally and locally by application of polymerized recombinant PrP onto the tonsils and rectal mucosa. The vaccinated and control animals were then challenged orally with CWD-infected brain homogenate. Three years post CWD oral challenge all control deer developed clinical CWD (median survival 602 days), while among the vaccinated there was a significant prolongation of the incubation period (median survival 909 days; p=0.012 by Weibull regression analysis) and one deer has remained CWD free both clinically and by RAMALT and tonsil biopsies. This negative vaccinate has the highest titers of IgA in saliva and systemic IgG against PrP. Western blots showed that immunoglobulins from this vaccinate react to PrP(CWD). We document the first partially successful vaccination for a prion disease in a species naturally at risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Goñi
- Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Candace K Mathiason
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Lucia Yim
- Laboratory for Vaccine Research, Department of Biotechnology, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Kinlung Wong
- Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Jeanette Hayes-Klug
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Amy Nalls
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Daniel Peyser
- Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Veronica Estevez
- Laboratory for Vaccine Research, Department of Biotechnology, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Nathaniel Denkers
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Jinfeng Xu
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - David A Osborn
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, United States
| | - Karl V Miller
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, United States
| | - Robert J Warren
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, United States
| | - David R Brown
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, UK
| | - Jose A Chabalgoity
- Laboratory for Vaccine Research, Department of Biotechnology, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Edward A Hoover
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Thomas Wisniewski
- Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, United States; Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, United States; Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Henderson DM, Davenport KA, Haley NJ, Denkers ND, Mathiason CK, Hoover EA. Quantitative assessment of prion infectivity in tissues and body fluids by real-time quaking-induced conversion. J Gen Virol 2014; 96:210-219. [PMID: 25304654 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.069906-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Prions are amyloid-forming proteins that cause transmissible spongiform encephalopathies through a process involving the templated conversion of the normal cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) to a pathogenic misfolded conformation. Templated conversion has been modelled in several in vitro assays, including serial protein misfolding amplification, amyloid seeding and real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC). As RT-QuIC measures formation of amyloid fibrils in real-time, it can be used to estimate the rate of seeded conversion. Here, we used samples from deer infected with chronic wasting disease (CWD) in RT-QuIC to show that serial dilution of prion seed was linearly related to the rate of amyloid formation over a range of 10(-3) to 10(-8) µg. We then used an amyloid formation rate standard curve derived from a bioassayed reference sample (CWD+ brain homogenate) to estimate the prion seed concentration and infectivity in tissues, body fluids and excreta. Using these methods, we estimated that urine and saliva from CWD-infected deer both contained 1-5 LD50 per 10 ml. Thus, over the 1-2 year course of an infection, a substantial environmental reservoir of CWD prion contamination accumulates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Davin M Henderson
- Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Kristen A Davenport
- Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Nicholas J Haley
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology, Kansas State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Nathaniel D Denkers
- Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Candace K Mathiason
- Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Edward A Hoover
- Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Seelig DM, Nalls AV, Flasik M, Frank V, Eaton S, Mathiason CK, Hoover EA. Lesion profiling and subcellular prion localization of cervid chronic wasting disease in domestic cats. Vet Pathol 2014; 52:107-19. [PMID: 24577721 DOI: 10.1177/0300985814524798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an efficiently transmitted, fatal, and progressive prion disease of cervids with an as yet to be fully clarified host range. While outbred domestic cats (Felis catus) have recently been shown to be susceptible to experimental CWD infection, the neuropathologic features of the infection are lacking. Such information is vital to provide diagnostic power in the event of natural interspecies transmission and insights into host and strain interactions in interspecies prion infection. Using light microscopy and immunohistochemistry, we detail the topographic pattern of neural spongiosis (the "lesion profile") and the distribution of misfolded prion protein in the primary and secondary passage of feline CWD (Fel(CWD)). We also evaluated cellular and subcellular associations between misfolded prion protein (PrP(D)) and central nervous system neurons and glial cell populations. From these studies, we (1) describe the novel neuropathologic profile of Fel(CWD), which is distinct from either cervid CWD or feline spongiform encephalopathy (FSE), and (2) provide evidence of serial passage-associated interspecies prion adaptation. In addition, we demonstrate through confocal analysis the successful co-localization of PrP(D) with neurons, astrocytes, microglia, lysosomes, and synaptophysin, which, in part, implicates each of these in the neuropathology of Fel(CWD). In conclusion, this work illustrates the simultaneous role of both host and strain in the development of a unique Fel(CWD) neuropathologic profile and that such a profile can be used to discriminate between Fel(CWD) and FSE.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D M Seelig
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - A V Nalls
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - M Flasik
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - V Frank
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - S Eaton
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - C K Mathiason
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - E A Hoover
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Abstract
Reeves' muntjac deer (Muntiacus reevesi) are a small cervid species native to southeast Asia, and are currently being investigated as a potential model of prion disease transmission and pathogenesis. Vertical transmission is an area of interest among researchers studying infectious diseases, including prion disease, and these investigations require efficient methods for evaluating the effects of maternal infection on reproductive performance. Ultrasonographic examination is a well-established tool for diagnosing pregnancy and assessing fetal health in many animal species(1-7), including several species of farmed cervids(8-19), however this technique has not been described in Reeves' muntjac deer. Here we describe the application of transabdominal ultrasound to detect pregnancy in muntjac does and to evaluate fetal growth and development throughout the gestational period. Using this procedure, pregnant animals were identified as early as 35 days following doe-buck pairing and this was an effective means to safely monitor the pregnancy at regular intervals. Future goals of this work will include establishing normal fetal measurement references for estimation of gestational age, determining sensitivity and specificity of the technique for diagnosing pregnancy at various stages of gestation, and identifying variations in fetal growth and development under different experimental conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kelly D Walton
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Elder AM, Henderson DM, Nalls AV, Wilham JM, Caughey BW, Hoover EA, Kincaid AE, Bartz JC, Mathiason CK. In vitro detection of prionemia in TSE-infected cervids and hamsters. PLoS One 2013; 8:e80203. [PMID: 24224043 PMCID: PMC3815098 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0080203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2013] [Accepted: 09/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Blood-borne transmission of infectious prions during the symptomatic and asymptomatic stages of disease occurs for both human and animal transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). The geographical distribution of the cervid TSE, chronic wasting disease (CWD), continues to spread across North America and the prospective number of individuals harboring an asymptomatic infection of human variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) in the United Kingdom has been projected to be ~1 in 3000 residents. Thus, it is important to monitor cervid and human blood products to ensure herd health and human safety. Current methods for detecting blood-associated prions rely primarily upon bioassay in laboratory animals. While bioassay provides high sensitivity and specificity, it requires many months, animals, and it is costly. Here we report modification of the real time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assay to detect blood-borne prions in whole blood from prion-infected preclinical white-tailed deer, muntjac deer, and Syrian hamsters, attaining sensitivity of >90% while maintaining 100% specificity. Our results indicate that RT-QuIC methodology as modified can provide consistent and reliable detection of blood-borne prions in preclinical and symptomatic stages of two animal TSEs, offering promise for prionemia detection in other species, including humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alan M. Elder
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Davin M. Henderson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Amy V. Nalls
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Jason M. Wilham
- Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, United States of America
| | - Byron W. Caughey
- Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, United States of America
| | - Edward A. Hoover
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Anthony E. Kincaid
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Jason C. Bartz
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Candace K. Mathiason
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Henderson DM, Manca M, Haley NJ, Denkers ND, Nalls AV, Mathiason CK, Caughey B, Hoover EA. Rapid antemortem detection of CWD prions in deer saliva. PLoS One 2013; 8:e74377. [PMID: 24040235 PMCID: PMC3770611 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0074377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2013] [Accepted: 07/31/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an efficiently transmitted prion disease of cervids, now identified in 22 United States, 2 Canadian provinces and Korea. One hallmark of CWD is the shedding of infectious prions in saliva, as demonstrated by bioassay in deer. It is also clear that the concentration of prions in saliva, blood, urine and feces is much lower than in the nervous system or lymphoid tissues. Rapid in vitro detection of CWD (and other) prions in body fluids and excreta has been problematic due to the sensitivity limits of direct assays (western blotting, ELISA) and the presence of inhibitors in these complex biological materials that hamper detection. Here we use real-time quaking induced conversion (RT-QuIC) to demonstrate CWD prions in both diluted and prion-enriched saliva samples from asymptomatic and symptomatic white-tailed deer. CWD prions were detected in 14 of 24 (58.3%) diluted saliva samples from CWD-exposed white-tailed deer, including 9 of 14 asymptomatic animals (64.2%). In addition, a phosphotungstic acid enrichment enhanced the RT-QuIC assay sensitivity, enabling detection in 19 of 24 (79.1%) of the above saliva samples. Bioassay in Tg[CerPrP] mice confirmed the presence of infectious prions in 2 of 2 RT-QuIC-positive saliva samples so examined. The modified RT-QuIC analysis described represents a non-invasive, rapid ante-mortem detection of prions in complex biologic fluids, excreta, or environmental samples as well as a tool for exploring prion trafficking, peripheralization, and dissemination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Davin M. Henderson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University (CSU), Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Matteo Manca
- Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Hamilton, Montana, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Nicholas J. Haley
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University (CSU), Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Nathaniel D. Denkers
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University (CSU), Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Amy V. Nalls
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University (CSU), Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Candace K. Mathiason
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University (CSU), Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Byron Caughey
- Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Hamilton, Montana, United States of America
| | - Edward A. Hoover
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University (CSU), Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Nalls AV, McNulty E, Powers J, Seelig DM, Hoover C, Haley NJ, Hayes-Klug J, Anderson K, Stewart P, Goldmann W, Hoover EA, Mathiason CK. Mother to offspring transmission of chronic wasting disease in reeves' muntjac deer. PLoS One 2013; 8:e71844. [PMID: 23977159 PMCID: PMC3743758 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0071844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2013] [Accepted: 07/03/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The horizontal transmission of prion diseases has been well characterized in bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), chronic wasting disease (CWD) of deer and elk and scrapie of sheep, and has been regarded as the primary mode of transmission. Few studies have monitored the possibility of vertical transmission occurring within an infected mother during pregnancy. To study the potential for and pathway of vertical transmission of CWD in the native cervid species, we used a small cervid model-the polyestrous breeding, indoor maintainable, Reeves' muntjac deer-and determined that the susceptibility and pathogenesis of CWD in these deer reproduce that in native mule and white-tailed deer. Moreover, we demonstrate here that CWD prions are transmitted from doe to fawn. Maternal CWD infection also appears to result in lower percentage of live birth offspring. In addition, evolving evidence from protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA) assays on fetal tissues suggest that covert prion infection occurs in utero. Overall, our findings demonstrate that transmission of prions from mother to offspring can occur, and may be underestimated for all prion diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amy V. Nalls
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Erin McNulty
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Jenny Powers
- Biological Resource Management Division, National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Davis M. Seelig
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Clare Hoover
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Nicholas J. Haley
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Jeanette Hayes-Klug
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Kelly Anderson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Paula Stewart
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Wilfred Goldmann
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Edward A. Hoover
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Candace K. Mathiason
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Haley NJ, Mathiason CK, Carver S, Telling GC, Zabel MD, Hoover EA. Sensitivity of protein misfolding cyclic amplification versus immunohistochemistry in ante-mortem detection of chronic wasting disease. J Gen Virol 2012; 93:1141-1150. [PMID: 22278825 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.039073-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
As the only prion disease affecting free-ranging animals, ante-mortem identification of affected cervids has become paramount in understanding chronic wasting disease (CWD) pathogenesis, prevalence and control of horizontal or vertical transmission. To seek maximal sensitivity in ante-mortem detection of CWD infection, this study used paired tonsil biopsy samples collected at various time points from 48 CWD-exposed cervids to compare blinded serial protein misfolding cyclic amplification (sPMCA) with the assay long considered the 'gold standard' for CWD detection, immunohistochemistry (IHC). sPMCA-negative controls (34 % of the samples evaluated) included tissues from mock-inoculated animals and unspiked negative controls, all of which tested negative throughout the course of the study. It was found that sPMCA on tonsil biopsies detected CWD infection significantly earlier (2.78 months, 95 % confidence interval 2.40-3.15) than conventional IHC. Interestingly, a correlation was observed between early detection by sPMCA and host PRNP genotype. These findings demonstrate that in vitro-amplification assays provide enhanced sensitivity and advanced detection of CWD infection in the peripheral tissues of cervids, with a potential role for spike or substrate genotype in sPMCA amplification efficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J Haley
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Candace K Mathiason
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Scott Carver
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Glenn C Telling
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Mark D Zabel
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Edward A Hoover
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Haley NJ, Mathiason CK, Zabel MD, Telling GC, Hoover EA. Detection of sub-clinical CWD infection in conventional test-negative deer long after oral exposure to urine and feces from CWD+ deer. PLoS One 2009; 4:e7990. [PMID: 19956732 PMCID: PMC2776529 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0007990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2009] [Accepted: 10/29/2009] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Chronic wasting disease (CWD) of cervids is a prion disease distinguished by high levels of transmissibility, wherein bodily fluids and excretions are thought to play an important role. Using cervid bioassay and established CWD detection methods, we have previously identified infectious prions in saliva and blood but not urine or feces of CWD+ donors. More recently, we identified very low concentrations of CWD prions in urine of deer by cervid PrP transgenic (Tg[CerPrP]) mouse bioassay and serial protein misfolding cyclic amplification (sPMCA). This finding led us to examine further our initial cervid bioassay experiments using sPMCA. Objectives We sought to investigate whether conventional test-negative deer, previously exposed orally to urine and feces from CWD+ sources, may be harboring low level CWD infection not evident in the 19 month observation period. We further attempted to determine the peripheral PrPCWD distribution in these animals. Methods Various neural and lymphoid tissues from conventional test-negative deer were reanalyzed for CWD prions by sPMCA and cervid transgenic mouse bioassay in parallel with appropriate tissue-matched positive and negative controls. Results PrPCWD was detected in the tissues of orally exposed deer by both sPMCA and Tg[CerPrP] mouse bioassay; each assay revealed very low levels of CWD prions previously undetectable by western blot, ELISA, or IHC. Serial PMCA analysis of individual tissues identified that obex alone was positive in 4 of 5 urine/feces exposed deer. PrPCWD was amplified from both lymphoid and neural tissues of positive control deer but not from identical tissues of negative control deer. Discussion Detection of subclinical infection in deer orally exposed to urine and feces (1) suggests that a prolonged subclinical state can exist, necessitating observation periods in excess of two years to detect CWD infection, and (2) illustrates the sensitive and specific application of sPMCA in the diagnosis of low-level prion infection. Based on these results, it is possible that low doses of prions, e.g. following oral exposure to urine and saliva of CWD-infected deer, bypass significant amplification in the LRS, perhaps utilizing a neural conduit between the alimentary tract and CNS, as has been demonstrated in some other prion diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J. Haley
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Candace K. Mathiason
- 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
| | - Glenn C. Telling
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Edward A. Hoover
- 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:
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Mathiason CK, Hays SA, Powers J, Hayes-Klug J, Langenberg J, Dahmes SJ, Osborn DA, Miller KV, Warren RJ, Mason GL, Hoover EA. Infectious prions in pre-clinical deer and transmission of chronic wasting disease solely by environmental exposure. PLoS One 2009; 4:e5916. [PMID: 19529769 PMCID: PMC2691594 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0005916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2009] [Accepted: 05/09/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Key to understanding the epidemiology and pathogenesis of prion diseases, including chronic wasting disease (CWD) of cervids, is determining the mode of transmission from one individual to another. We have previously reported that saliva and blood from CWD-infected deer contain sufficient infectious prions to transmit disease upon passage into naïve deer. Here we again use bioassays in deer to show that blood and saliva of pre-symptomatic deer contain infectious prions capable of infecting naïve deer and that naïve deer exposed only to environmental fomites from the suites of CWD-infected deer acquired CWD infection after a period of 15 months post initial exposure. These results help to further explain the basis for the facile transmission of CWD, highlight the complexities associated with CWD transmission among cervids in their natural environment, emphasize the potential utility of blood-based testing to detect pre-clinical CWD infection, and could augur similar transmission dynamics in other prion infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Candace K. Mathiason
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Sheila A. Hays
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Jenny Powers
- National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Jeanette Hayes-Klug
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Julia Langenberg
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | | | - David A. Osborn
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Karl V. Miller
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Robert J. Warren
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Gary L. Mason
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Edward A. Hoover
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Mathiason CK, Hays SA, Powers J, Hayes-Klug J, Langenberg J, Dahmes SJ, Osborn DA, Miller KV, Warren RJ, Mason GL, Hoover EA. Infectious prions in pre-clinical deer and transmission of chronic wasting disease solely by environmental exposure. PLoS One 2009; 4:e5916. [PMID: 19529769 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.000591610.1371/journal.pone.0005916.g00110.1371/journal.pone.0005916.g00210.1371/journal.pone.0005916.g00310.1371/journal.pone.0005916.g00410.1371/journal.pone.0005916.t00110.1371/journal.pone.0005916.t002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2009] [Accepted: 05/09/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Key to understanding the epidemiology and pathogenesis of prion diseases, including chronic wasting disease (CWD) of cervids, is determining the mode of transmission from one individual to another. We have previously reported that saliva and blood from CWD-infected deer contain sufficient infectious prions to transmit disease upon passage into naïve deer. Here we again use bioassays in deer to show that blood and saliva of pre-symptomatic deer contain infectious prions capable of infecting naïve deer and that naïve deer exposed only to environmental fomites from the suites of CWD-infected deer acquired CWD infection after a period of 15 months post initial exposure. These results help to further explain the basis for the facile transmission of CWD, highlight the complexities associated with CWD transmission among cervids in their natural environment, emphasize the potential utility of blood-based testing to detect pre-clinical CWD infection, and could augur similar transmission dynamics in other prion infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Candace K Mathiason
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Mathiason CK, Powers JG, Dahmes SJ, Osborn DA, Miller KV, Warren RJ, Mason GL, Hays SA, Hayes-Klug J, Seelig DM, Wild MA, Wolfe LL, Spraker TR, Miller MW, Sigurdson CJ, Telling GC, Hoover EA. Infectious prions in the saliva and blood of deer with chronic wasting disease. Science 2006; 314:133-6. [PMID: 17023660 DOI: 10.1126/science.1132661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 343] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
A critical concern in the transmission of prion diseases, including chronic wasting disease (CWD) of cervids, is the potential presence of prions in body fluids. To address this issue directly, we exposed cohorts of CWD-naïve deer to saliva, blood, or urine and feces from CWD-positive deer. We found infectious prions capable of transmitting CWD in saliva (by the oral route) and in blood (by transfusion). The results help to explain the facile transmission of CWD among cervids and prompt caution concerning contact with body fluids in prion infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Candace K Mathiason
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biological Sciences (CVMBS), Colorado State University (CSU), Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Torres AN, Mathiason CK, Hoover EA. Re-examination of feline leukemia virus: host relationships using real-time PCR. Virology 2005; 332:272-83. [PMID: 15661159 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2004.10.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2004] [Revised: 07/13/2004] [Accepted: 10/05/2004] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The mechanisms responsible for effective vs. ineffective viral containment are central to immunoprevention and therapies of retroviral infections. Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection is unique as a naturally occurring, diametric example of effective vs. ineffective retroviral containment by the host. We developed a sensitive quantitative real-time DNA PCR assay specific for exogenous FeLV to further explore the FeLV-host relationship. By assaying p27 capsid antigen in blood and FeLV DNA in blood and tissues of successfully vaccinated, unsuccessfully vaccinated, and unvaccinated pathogen-free cats, we defined four statistically separable classes of FeLV infection, provisionally designated as abortive, regressive, latent, and progressive. These host-virus relationships were established by 8 weeks post-challenge and could be maintained for years. Real-time PCR methods offer promise in gaining deeper insight into the mechanisms of FeLV infection and immunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea N Torres
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, 1619 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO, 80523-1619, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
de Rozières S, Mathiason CK, Rolston MR, Chatterji U, Hoover EA, Elder JH. Characterization of a highly pathogenic molecular clone of feline immunodeficiency virus clade C. J Virol 2004; 78:8971-82. [PMID: 15308694 PMCID: PMC506922 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.78.17.8971-8982.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We have derived and characterized a highly pathogenic molecular isolate of feline immunodeficiency virus subtype C (FIV-C) CABCpady00C. Clone FIV-C36 was obtained by lambda cloning from cats that developed severe immunodeficiency disease when infected with CABCpady00C (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada). Clone FIV-C36 Env is 96% identical to the noninfectious FIV-C isolate sequence deposited in GenBank (FIV-Cgb; GenBank accession number AF474246) (A. Harmache et al.) but is much more divergent in Env when compared to the subgroup A clones Petaluma (34TF10) and FIV-PPR (76 and 78% divergence, respectively). Clone FIV-C36 was able to infect freshly isolated feline peripheral blood mononuclear cells and primary T-cell lines but failed to productively infect CrFK cells, as is typical of FIV field isolates. Two-week-old specific-pathogen-free cats infected with FIV-C36 tissue culture supernatant became PCR positive and developed severe acute immunodeficiency disease similar to that caused by the uncloned CABCpady00C parent. At 4 to 5 weeks postinfection (PI), 3 of 4 animals developed CD4(+)-T-cell depletion, fever, weight loss, diarrhea, and opportunistic infections, including ulcerative stomatitis and tonsillitis associated with abundant bacterial growth, pneumonia, and pyelonephritis, requiring euthanasia. Histopathology confirmed severe thymic and systemic lymphoid depletion. Interestingly, the dam also became infected with a high viral load at 5 weeks PI of the kittens and developed a similar disease syndrome, requiring euthanasia at 11 weeks PI of the kittens. This constitutes the first report of a replication-competent, infectious, and pathogenic molecular clone of FIV-C. Clone FIV-C36 will facilitate dissection of the pathogenic determinants of FIV.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- CD4-CD8 Ratio
- Cats
- Cells, Cultured
- Cloning, Molecular
- Databases, Genetic
- Feline Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/immunology
- Feline Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/pathology
- Feline Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/virology
- Gene Order/genetics
- Gene Products, env/chemistry
- Genetic Variation/genetics
- Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline/classification
- Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline/genetics
- Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline/pathogenicity
- Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline/physiology
- Lymphoid Tissue/virology
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Organ Specificity
- RNA/genetics
- RNA, Viral/analysis
- RNA, Viral/genetics
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- Terminal Repeat Sequences/genetics
- Transfection
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sohela de Rozières
- Department of Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Abstract
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is the feline analog of human immunodeficiency virus and a small animal model of human acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). We sought to identify early in vivo target cells in cats infected with clade B or C FIV. In tissues, however, neither mouse monoclonal nor rabbit polyclonal antibodies suitably detected FIV because of either insensitivity or lack of specificity. We therefore developed an immunohistochemical protocol using high-antibody-titer serum from cats chronically infected with FIV(Petaluma). Native species anti-FIV antibodies were labeled with biotinylated protein A before placement on tissues, and downstream signal was tyramide-amplified. This method revealed many productively infected cells in bone marrow, lymph node, thymus, mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue, and spleen, but few such cells in liver and none in kidney or brain. Concurrent labeling for virus and cell phenotype revealed that antigen-bearing populations were primarily T lymphocytes but included macrophages and dendritic cells. Our results demonstrate that FIV: 1) expands rapidly in T cells, 2) targets long-lived reservoir populations, and 3) is replicatively quiescent in brain at 3 weeks after infection. Use of native species antibodies for immunohistochemical detection of infectious antigens has application to other settings in which xenotypic (eg, mouse and rabbit) antibody sources are inadequate or unavailable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arlin B Rogers
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1674, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Burkhard MJ, Mathiason CK, O'Halloran K, Hoover EA. Kinetics of early FIV infection in cats exposed via the vaginal versus intravenous route. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2002; 18:217-26. [PMID: 11839157 DOI: 10.1089/08892220252781284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
To determine the influence of route of virus exposure on early pathogenesis of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection, cats were exposed to either of two FIV isolates (FIV-B-2542 or FIV-A-PPR) by vaginal or intravenous (IV) inoculation. Exposure to either virus clade by either route of inoculation resulted in vaginal and systemic infection. Peak plasma viremia and tissue proviral burden were 1-3 log(10) greater in cats infected with FIV-B-2542 vs. FIV-A-PPR, irrespective of inoculation route. Plasma RNA levels paralleled provirus titers in FIV-B-2542-infected cats and were highest in those exposed IV. In contrast, plasma RNA titers were higher in cats infected vaginally with FIV-A-PPR than in those infected IV. Despite early differences, PBMC provirus titers were similar in all groups by 9 weeks postinfection. In cats infected IV, but not vaginally, CD4(+) lymphocyte counts declined significantly independent of the magnitude of viremia. Mitogen-induced lymphoproliferation was decreased in all infected cats regardless of CD4(+) cell counts; this decline correlated with the magnitude of peak plasma viremia in FIV-B-2542, but not FIV-A-PPR, infected cats. These results establish that the kinetics of early FIV infection differ with route of exposure as well as virus isolate and that properties extrapolated from one virus isolate may not be universal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mary Jo Burkhard
- Department of Microbiology, Pathology, Parasitology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Burkhard MJ, Mathiason CK, Bowdre T, Hoover EA. Feline immunodeficiency virus Gag- and Env-specific immune responses after vaginal versus intravenous infection. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2001; 17:1767-78. [PMID: 11788028 DOI: 10.1089/08892220152741469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
To better understand the correlation of mucosal and systemic immune responses with lentiviral containment, we contrasted the early mucosal and systemic immune responses induced by vaginal versus intravenous exposure of cats to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) isolates of differing pathogenicity and clade (i.e., FIV-B-2542 and FIV-A-PPR). We found that despite divergence in viral genotype, the mucosal and systemic immune responses induced differed more with route of exposure than virus isolate. In intravenously exposed cats, Gag-specific antibody (both IgG and IgA isotype) predominated in the serum, saliva, and vaginal wash fluid irrespective of infecting virus isolate. While Env-specific responses were more variable, they were more often detected in vaginally infected cats. Both IgG and IgA directed against Gag and Env were consistently present in vaginal wash fluids independent of route of infection or virus isolate. FIV Gag- and Env-specific cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTLs) were detected in blood and tissue lymphocytes of cats infected with either virus strain but were greatest in intravenously infected animals. Likewise, FIV-specific CTLs were detected in CD8(+) vaginal lymphocytes of animals infected by either route but were also more frequent in intravenously inoculated animals. In summary, we found qualitative differences in the immune responses following vaginal infection but no evidence (1) that mucosal immune responses were enhanced in vaginally exposed cats, (2) that local mucosal infection led to measurably greater immune responses in either compartment; or (3) that more prominent immune responses correlated with lower viral burden.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M J Burkhard
- Department of Microbiology, Pathology, and Parasitology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Abstract
Virus-infected monocytes rarely are detected in the bloodstreams of animals or people infected with immunodeficiency-inducing lentiviruses, yet tissue macrophages are thought to be a major reservoir of virus-infected cells in vivo. We have identified feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) clinical isolates that are pathogenic in cats and readily transmitted vertically. We report here that five of these FIV isolates are highly monocytotropic in vivo. However, while FIV-infected monocytes were numerous in the blood of experimentally infected cats, viral antigen was not detectable in freshly isolated cells. Only after a short-term (at least 12-h) in vitro monocyte culture were FIV antigens detectable (by immunocytochemical analysis or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). In vitro experiments suggested that monocyte adherence provided an important trigger for virus antigen expression. In the blood of cats infected with a prototype monocytotropic isolate (FIV subtype B strain 2542), infected monocytes appeared within 2 weeks, correlating with high blood mononuclear-cell-associated viral titers and CD4 cell depletion. By contrast, infected monocytes could not be detected in the blood of cats infected with a less pathogenic FIV strain (FIV subtype A strain Petaluma). We concluded that some strains of FIV are monocytotropic in vivo. Moreover, this property may relate to virus virulence, vertical transmission, and infection of tissue macrophages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S W Dow
- Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|