The present work shows that PrP(Sc) can be transmitted from the brain to the intestine. This causes pathological changes in enteric glia and neurons. We conclude that PrP(Sc) of brain origin finds a substrate in the naturally occurring PrP(C) of EGCs and neurons. This results in a reservoir of PrP(Sc) in the intestine, which may represent a source of prion disease transmission through surgical procedures and environmental contamination.
BackgroundThe accumulation of protease resistant conformers of the prion protein (PrPres) is a key pathological feature of prion diseases. Polyanions, including RNA and glycosaminoglycans have been identified as factors that contribute to the propagation, transmission and pathogenesis of prion disease. Recent studies have suggested that the contribution of these cofactors to prion propagation may be species specific.Methodology/Principal FindingIn this study a cell-free assay was used to investigate the molecular basis of polyanion stimulated PrPres formation using brain tissue or cell line derived murine PrP. Enzymatic depletion of endogenous nucleic acids or heparan sulphate (HS) from the PrPC substrate was found to specifically prevent PrPres formation seeded by mouse derived PrPSc. Modification of the negative charge afforded by the sulphation of glycosaminoglycans increased the ability of a familial PrP mutant to act as a substrate for PrPres formation, while having no effect on PrPres formed by wildtype PrP. This difference may be due to the observed differences in the binding of wild type and mutant PrP for glycosaminoglycans.Conclusions/SignificanceCofactor requirements for PrPres formation are host species and prion strain specific and affected by disease associated mutations of the prion protein. This may explain both species and strain dependent propagation characteristics and provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of familial prion disease. It further highlights the challenge of designing effective therapeutics against a disease which effects a range of mammalian species, caused by range of aetiologies and prion strains.
Apoptotic cell death via activation of the caspase family of cysteine proteases is a common feature of many neurodegenerative diseases including Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Molecular imaging of cysteine protease activities at the preclinical stage may provide valuable mechanistic information about pathophysiological pathways involved in disease evolution and in response to therapy. In this study, we report synthesis and characterization of a near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent contrast agent capable of noninvasively imaging neuronal apoptosis in vivo, by conjugating a NIR cyanine dye to Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone (VAD-fmk), a general inhibitor of active caspases. Following intravenous administration of the NIR-VAD-fmk contrast agent, in vivo fluorescence reflectance imaging identified significantly higher levels of active caspases in the brain of mice with advanced but preclinical prion disease, when compared with healthy controls. The contrast agent and related analogues will enable the longitudinal study of disease progression and therapy in animal models of many neurodegenerative conditions.
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