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Abstract
Human cerebral organoids are an exciting and novel model system emerging in the field of neurobiology. Cerebral organoids are spheres of self-organizing, neuronal lineage tissue that can be differentiated from human pluripotent stem cells and that present the possibility of on-demand human neuronal cultures that can be used for non-invasively investigating diseases affecting the brain. Compared with existing humanized cell models, they provide a more comprehensive replication of the human cerebral environment. The potential of the human cerebral organoid model is only just beginning to be elucidated, but initial studies have indicated that they could prove to be a valuable model for neurodegenerative diseases such as prion disease. The application of the cerebral organoid model to prion disease, what has been learned so far and the future potential of this model are discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan O Walters
- Prion Cell Biology Unit, Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 903 South 4th Street, Hamilton, MT, 59840, USA
| | - Cathryn L Haigh
- Prion Cell Biology Unit, Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 903 South 4th Street, Hamilton, MT, 59840, USA.
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2
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Arshad H, Watts JC. Genetically engineered cellular models of prion propagation. Cell Tissue Res 2022; 392:63-80. [PMID: 35581386 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-022-03630-z] [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] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
For over three decades, cultured cells have been a useful tool for dissecting the molecular details of prion replication and the identification of candidate therapeutics for prion disease. A major issue limiting the translatability of these studies has been the inability to reliably propagate disease-relevant, non-mouse strains of prions in cells relevant to prion pathogenesis. In recent years, fueled by advances in gene editing technology, it has become possible to propagate prions from hamsters, cervids, and sheep in immortalized cell lines originating from the central nervous system. In particular, the use of CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene editing to generate versions of prion-permissive cell lines that lack endogenous PrP expression has provided a blank canvas upon which re-expression of PrP leads to species-matched susceptibility to prion infection. When coupled with the ability to propagate prions in cells or organoids derived from stem cells, these next-generation cellular models should provide an ideal paradigm for identifying small molecules and other biological therapeutics capable of interfering with prion replication in animal and human prion disorders. In this review, we summarize recent advances that have widened the spectrum of prion strains that can be propagated in cultured cells and cutting-edge tissue-based models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamza Arshad
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Krembil Discovery Tower Rm. 4KD481, 60 Leonard Ave, Toronto, ON, M5T 0S8, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Medical Sciences Building Rm. 5207, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Joel C Watts
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Krembil Discovery Tower Rm. 4KD481, 60 Leonard Ave, Toronto, ON, M5T 0S8, Canada. .,Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Medical Sciences Building Rm. 5207, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada.
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3
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Su X, Yue P, Kong J, Xu X, Zhang Y, Cao W, Fan Y, Liu M, Chen J, Liu A, Bao F. Human Brain Organoids as an In Vitro Model System of Viral Infectious Diseases. Front Immunol 2022; 12:792316. [PMID: 35087520 PMCID: PMC8786735 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.792316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain organoids, or brainoids, have shown great promise in the study of central nervous system (CNS) infection. Modeling Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in brain organoids may help elucidate the relationship between ZIKV infection and microcephaly. Brain organoids have been used to study the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), HSV-1, and other viral infections of the CNS. In this review, we summarize the advances in the development of viral infection models in brain organoids and their potential application for exploring mechanisms of viral infections of the CNS and in new drug development. The existing limitations are further discussed and the prospects for the development and application of brain organs are prospected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Su
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Tropical Infectious Diseases in Universities, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.,Department of Pediatrics, The Affiliated Children Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Peng Yue
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Tropical Infectious Diseases in Universities, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Jing Kong
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Tropical Infectious Diseases in Universities, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Xin Xu
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Tropical Infectious Diseases in Universities, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Tropical Infectious Diseases in Universities, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Wenjing Cao
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Tropical Infectious Diseases in Universities, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Yuxin Fan
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Tropical Infectious Diseases in Universities, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Meixiao Liu
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Tropical Infectious Diseases in Universities, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Jingjing Chen
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Tropical Infectious Diseases in Universities, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Aihua Liu
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Tropical Infectious Diseases in Universities, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Fukai Bao
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Tropical Infectious Diseases in Universities, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
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4
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Wälzlein JH, Schwenke KA, Beekes M. Propagation of CJD Prions in Primary Murine Glia Cells Expressing Human PrP c. Pathogens 2021; 10:1060. [PMID: 34451524 PMCID: PMC8399260 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10081060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
There are various existing cell models for the propagation of animal prions. However, in vitro propagation of human prions has been a long-standing challenge. This study presents the establishment of a long-term primary murine glia culture expressing the human prion protein homozygous for methionine at codon 129, which allows in vitro propagation of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) prions (variant CJD (vCJD) and sporadic CJD (sCJD) type MM2). Prion propagation could be detected by Western blotting of pathological proteinase K-resistant prion protein (PrPSc) from 120 days post exposure. The accumulation of PrPSc could be intensified by adding a cationic lipid mixture to the infectious brain homogenate at the time of infection. Stable propagation of human prions in a long-term murine glia cell culture represents a new tool for future drug development and for mechanistic studies in the field of human prion biology. In addition, our cell model can reduce the need for bioassays with human prions and thereby contributes to further implementation of the 3R principles aiming at replacement, reduction and refinement of animal experiments.
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5
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Pineau H, Sim VL. From Cell Culture to Organoids-Model Systems for Investigating Prion Strain Characteristics. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11010106. [PMID: 33466947 PMCID: PMC7830147 DOI: 10.3390/biom11010106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are the hallmark protein folding neurodegenerative disease. Their transmissible nature has allowed for the development of many different cellular models of disease where prion propagation and sometimes pathology can be induced. This review examines the range of simple cell cultures to more complex neurospheres, organoid, and organotypic slice cultures that have been used to study prion disease pathogenesis and to test therapeutics. We highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each system, giving special consideration to the importance of strains when choosing a model and when interpreting results, as not all systems propagate all strains, and in some cases, the technique used, or treatment applied, can alter the very strain properties being studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailey Pineau
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2B7, Canada;
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Valerie L. Sim
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2B7, Canada;
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
- Correspondence:
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Avar M, Heinzer D, Steinke N, Doğançay B, Moos R, Lugan S, Cosenza C, Hornemann S, Andréoletti O, Aguzzi A. Prion infection, transmission, and cytopathology modeled in a low-biohazard human cell line. Life Sci Alliance 2020; 3:3/8/e202000814. [PMID: 32606072 PMCID: PMC7335386 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202000814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Expanding the toolbox of prion research to a low-biohazard, scalable human cell model. Transmission of prion infectivity to susceptible murine cell lines has simplified prion titration assays and has greatly reduced the need for animal experimentation. However, murine cell models suffer from technical and biological constraints. Human cell lines might be more useful, but they are much more biohazardous and are often poorly infectible. Here, we describe the human clonal cell line hovS, which lacks the human PRNP gene and expresses instead the ovine PRNP VRQ allele. HovS cells were highly susceptible to the PG127 strain of sheep-derived murine prions, reaching up to 90% infected cells in any given culture and were maintained in a continuous infected state for at least 14 passages. Infected hovS cells produced proteinase K–resistant prion protein (PrPSc), pelletable PrP aggregates, and bona fide infectious prions capable of infecting further generations of naïve hovS cells and mice expressing the VRQ allelic variant of ovine PrPC. Infection in hovS led to prominent cytopathic vacuolation akin to the spongiform changes observed in individuals suffering from prion diseases. In addition to expanding the toolbox for prion research to human experimental genetics, the hovS cell line provides a human-derived system that does not require human prions. Hence, the manipulation of scrapie-infected hovS cells may present fewer biosafety hazards than that of genuine human prions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merve Avar
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Heinzer
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Steinke
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Berre Doğançay
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Rita Moos
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Severine Lugan
- UMR INRA/ENVT 1225 IHAP, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse (ENVT), Toulouse, France
| | - Claudia Cosenza
- UMR INRA/ENVT 1225 IHAP, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse (ENVT), Toulouse, France
| | - Simone Hornemann
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Olivier Andréoletti
- UMR INRA/ENVT 1225 IHAP, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse (ENVT), Toulouse, France
| | - Adriano Aguzzi
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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7
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Krance SH, Luke R, Shenouda M, Israwi AR, Colpitts SJ, Darwish L, Strauss M, Watts JC. Cellular models for discovering prion disease therapeutics: Progress and challenges. J Neurochem 2020; 153:150-172. [PMID: 31943194 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [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: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Prions, which cause fatal neurodegenerative disorders such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, are misfolded and infectious protein aggregates. Currently, there are no treatments available to halt or even delay the progression of prion disease in the brain. The infectious nature of prions has resulted in animal paradigms that accurately recapitulate all aspects of prion disease, and these have proven to be instrumental for testing the efficacy of candidate therapeutics. Nonetheless, infection of cultured cells with prions provides a much more powerful system for identifying molecules capable of interfering with prion propagation. Certain lines of cultured cells can be chronically infected with various types of mouse prions, and these models have been used to unearth candidate anti-prion drugs that are at least partially efficacious when administered to prion-infected rodents. However, these studies have also revealed that not all types of prions are equal, and that drugs active against mouse prions are not necessarily effective against prions from other species. Despite some recent progress, the number of cellular models available for studying non-mouse prions remains limited. In particular, human prions have proven to be particularly challenging to propagate in cultured cells, which has severely hindered the discovery of drugs for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. In this review, we summarize the cellular models that are presently available for discovering and testing drugs capable of blocking the propagation of prions and highlight challenges that remain on the path towards developing therapies for prion disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saffire H Krance
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Russell Luke
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Marc Shenouda
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ahmad R Israwi
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sarah J Colpitts
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lina Darwish
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Maximilian Strauss
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Joel C Watts
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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8
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley R Groveman
- Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Division of Intramural Research, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Ryan Walters
- Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Division of Intramural Research, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Cathryn L Haigh
- Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Division of Intramural Research, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
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9
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Groveman BR, Foliaki ST, Orru CD, Zanusso G, Carroll JA, Race B, Haigh CL. Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease prion infection of human cerebral organoids. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2019; 7:90. [PMID: 31196223 PMCID: PMC6567389 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-019-0742-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
For the transmissible, neurogenerative family of prion diseases, few human models of infection exist and none represent structured neuronal tissue. Human cerebral organoids are self-organizing, three-dimensional brain tissues that can be grown from induced pluripotent stem cells. Organoids can model aspects of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's Disease and Down's Syndrome, reproducing tau hyperphosphorylation and amyloid plaque pathology. To determine whether organoids could be used to reproduce human prion infection and pathogenesis, we inoculated organoids with two sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease prion subtypes. Organoids showed uptake, followed by clearance, of the infectious inoculum. Subsequent re-emergence of prion self-seeding activity indicated de novo propagation. Organoid health assays, prion titer, prion protein electrophoretic mobility and immunohistochemistry demonstrated inoculum-specific differences. Our study shows, for the first time, that cerebral organoids can model aspects of human prion disease and thus offer a powerful system for investigating different human prion subtype pathologies and testing putative therapeutics.
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10
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Vorberg I, Chiesa R. Experimental models to study prion disease pathogenesis and identify potential therapeutic compounds. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2019; 44:28-38. [PMID: 30878006 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2019.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Prion diseases are devastating neurodegenerative disorders for which no drugs are available. The successful development of therapeutics depends on drug screening platforms and preclinical models that recapitulate key molecular and pathological features of the disease. Innovative experimental tools have been developed over the last few years that might facilitate drug discovery, including cell-free prion replication assays and prion-infected flies. However, there is still room for improvement. Animal models of genetic prion disease are few, and only partially recapitulate the complexity of the human disorder. Moreover, we still lack a human cell culture model suitable for high-content anti-prion drug screening. This review provides an overview of the models currently used in prion research, and discusses their promise and limitations for drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ina Vorberg
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 53127 Bonn, Germany; Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany.
| | - Roberto Chiesa
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156 Milan, Italy.
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11
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Abstract
The development of multiple cell culture models of prion infection over the last two decades has led to a significant increase in our understanding of how prions infect cells. In particular, new techniques to distinguish exogenous from endogenous prions have allowed us for the first time to look in depth at the earliest stages of prion infection through to the establishment of persistent infection. These studies have shown that prions can infect multiple cell types, both neuronal and nonneuronal. Once in contact with the cell, they are rapidly taken up via multiple endocytic pathways. After uptake, the initial replication of prions occurs almost immediately on the plasma membrane and within multiple endocytic compartments. Following this acute stage of prion replication, persistent prion infection may or may not be established. Establishment of a persistent prion infection in cells appears to depend upon the achievement of a delicate balance between the rate of prion replication and degradation, the rate of cell division, and the efficiency of prion spread from cell to cell. Overall, cell culture models have shown that prion infection of the cell is a complex and variable process which can involve multiple cellular pathways and compartments even within a single cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzette A Priola
- Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, MT, United States.
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12
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Matamoros-Angles A, Gayosso LM, Richaud-Patin Y, di Domenico A, Vergara C, Hervera A, Sousa A, Fernández-Borges N, Consiglio A, Gavín R, López de Maturana R, Ferrer I, López de Munain A, Raya Á, Castilla J, Sánchez-Pernaute R, Del Río JA. iPS Cell Cultures from a Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker Patient with the Y218N PRNP Mutation Recapitulate tau Pathology. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 55:3033-3048. [PMID: 28466265 PMCID: PMC5842509 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0506-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [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: 12/07/2016] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker (GSS) syndrome is a fatal autosomal dominant neurodegenerative prionopathy clinically characterized by ataxia, spastic paraparesis, extrapyramidal signs and dementia. In some GSS familiar cases carrying point mutations in the PRNP gene, patients also showed comorbid tauopathy leading to mixed pathologies. In this study we developed an induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell model derived from fibroblasts of a GSS patient harboring the Y218N PRNP mutation, as well as an age-matched healthy control. This particular PRNP mutation is unique with very few described cases. One of the cases presented neurofibrillary degeneration with relevant Tau hyperphosphorylation. Y218N iPS-derived cultures showed relevant astrogliosis, increased phospho-Tau, altered microtubule-associated transport and cell death. However, they failed to generate proteinase K-resistant prion. In this study we set out to test, for the first time, whether iPS cell-derived neurons could be used to investigate the appearance of disease-related phenotypes (i.e, tauopathy) identified in the GSS patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreu Matamoros-Angles
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Parc Científic de Barcelona, Baldiri Reixac 15-21, E-08028, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lucía Mayela Gayosso
- Stem cells and neural repair laboratory, Fundación Inbiomed, San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa, Spain
- Proteomics unit (Prion lab), CIC bioGUNE, Parque tecnológico de Bizkaia, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Yvonne Richaud-Patin
- Centre de Medicina Regenerativa de Barcelona, c/ Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBERBBN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Angelique di Domenico
- Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Dept. Patologia i Terapèutica Experimental, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Vergara
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Parc Científic de Barcelona, Baldiri Reixac 15-21, E-08028, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Laboratory of Histology, Neuroanatomy and Neuropathology (CP 620), ULB Neuroscience Institute. Université Libre de Bruxelles, Faculty of Medicine, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Arnau Hervera
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Parc Científic de Barcelona, Baldiri Reixac 15-21, E-08028, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Amaya Sousa
- Stem cells and neural repair laboratory, Fundación Inbiomed, San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa, Spain
| | - Natalia Fernández-Borges
- Proteomics unit (Prion lab), CIC bioGUNE, Parque tecnológico de Bizkaia, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain
- CISA-INIA, Center for Animal Health Research, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonella Consiglio
- Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Dept. Patologia i Terapèutica Experimental, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Rosalina Gavín
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Parc Científic de Barcelona, Baldiri Reixac 15-21, E-08028, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Isidro Ferrer
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Dept. Patologia i Terapèutica Experimental, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Adolfo López de Munain
- Instituto Biodonostia-Hospital Universitario Donostia, San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa, Spain
- Neurosciences Department, University of the Basque Country UPV-EHU, Bilbao, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa, Spain
| | - Ángel Raya
- Centre de Medicina Regenerativa de Barcelona, c/ Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBERBBN), Madrid, Spain.
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Joaquín Castilla
- Proteomics unit (Prion lab), CIC bioGUNE, Parque tecnológico de Bizkaia, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain.
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain.
| | - Rosario Sánchez-Pernaute
- Stem cells and neural repair laboratory, Fundación Inbiomed, San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa, Spain.
- Andalusian Initiative for Advanced Therapies, Junta de Andalusia, Seville, Spain.
| | - José Antonio Del Río
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Parc Científic de Barcelona, Baldiri Reixac 15-21, E-08028, Barcelona, Spain.
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain.
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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Krejciova Z, Alibhai J, Zhao C, Krencik R, Rzechorzek NM, Ullian EM, Manson J, Ironside JW, Head MW, Chandran S. Human stem cell-derived astrocytes replicate human prions in a PRNP genotype-dependent manner. J Exp Med 2017; 214:3481-3495. [PMID: 29141869 PMCID: PMC5716027 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20161547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [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: 09/15/2016] [Revised: 08/07/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Prions are infectious agents that cause neurodegenerative diseases such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). The absence of a human cell culture model that replicates human prions has hampered prion disease research for decades. In this paper, we show that astrocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) support the replication of prions from brain samples of CJD patients. For experimental exposure of astrocytes to variant CJD (vCJD), the kinetics of prion replication occur in a prion protein codon 129 genotype-dependent manner, reflecting the genotype-dependent susceptibility to clinical vCJD found in patients. Furthermore, iPSC-derived astrocytes can replicate prions associated with the major sporadic CJD strains found in human patients. Lastly, we demonstrate the subpassage of prions from infected to naive astrocyte cultures, indicating the generation of prion infectivity in vitro. Our study addresses a long-standing gap in the repertoire of human prion disease research, providing a new in vitro system for accelerated mechanistic studies and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Krejciova
- National CJD Research & Surveillance Unit, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK,Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - James Alibhai
- National CJD Research & Surveillance Unit, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Chen Zhao
- Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Robert Krencik
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX
| | - Nina M. Rzechorzek
- Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK,Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Erik M. Ullian
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Jean Manson
- Neurobiology Division, The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - James W. Ironside
- National CJD Research & Surveillance Unit, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Mark W. Head
- National CJD Research & Surveillance Unit, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Siddharthan Chandran
- Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK,UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK,Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK,Centre for Brain Development and Repair, Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore, India,Correspondence to Siddharthan Chandran:
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Tark D, Kim H, Neale MH, Kim M, Sohn H, Lee Y, Cho I, Joo Y, Windl O. Generation of a persistently infected MDBK cell line with natural bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). PLoS One 2015; 10:e0115939. [PMID: 25647616 PMCID: PMC4315440 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0115939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2014] [Accepted: 11/28/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is a zoonotic transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) thought to be caused by the same prion strain as variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD). Unlike scrapie and chronic wasting disease there is no cell culture model allowing the replication of proteinase K resistant BSE (PrPBSE) and the further in vitro study of this disease. We have generated a cell line based on the Madin-Darby Bovine Kidney (MDBK) cell line over-expressing the bovine prion protein. After exposure to naturally BSE-infected bovine brain homogenate this cell line has shown to replicate and accumulate PrPBSE and maintain infection up to passage 83 after initial challenge. Collectively, we demonstrate, for the first time, that the BSE agent can infect cell lines over-expressing the bovine prion protein similar to other prion diseases. These BSE infected cells will provide a useful tool to facilitate the study of potential therapeutic agents and the diagnosis of BSE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongseob Tark
- Department of Animal and Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, 175 Anyang-ro, Manan-gu, Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyojin Kim
- Department of Animal Disease Control and Quarantine, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, 175 Anyang-ro, Manan-gu, Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Michael H Neale
- Pathology and Host Susceptibility Department, Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, New Haw, Addlestone, KT15 3NB, United Kingdom
| | - Minjeong Kim
- Department of Animal and Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, 175 Anyang-ro, Manan-gu, Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunjoo Sohn
- Department of Animal and Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, 175 Anyang-ro, Manan-gu, Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoonhee Lee
- Department of Animal and Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, 175 Anyang-ro, Manan-gu, Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Insoo Cho
- Department of Animal and Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, 175 Anyang-ro, Manan-gu, Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Yiseok Joo
- Department of Animal Disease Control and Quarantine, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, 175 Anyang-ro, Manan-gu, Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Otto Windl
- Pathology and Host Susceptibility Department, Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, New Haw, Addlestone, KT15 3NB, United Kingdom
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Krejciova Z, De Sousa P, Manson J, Ironside JW, Head MW. Human tonsil-derived follicular dendritic-like cells are refractory to human prion infection in vitro and traffic disease-associated prion protein to lysosomes. Am J Pathol 2014; 184:64-70. [PMID: 24183781 PMCID: PMC3873479 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2013.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2013] [Revised: 09/12/2013] [Accepted: 09/16/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms involved in human cellular susceptibility to prion infection remain poorly defined. This is due, in part, to the absence of any well characterized and relevant cultured human cells susceptible to infection with human prions, such as those involved in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. In variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, prion replication is thought to occur first in the lymphoreticular system and then spread into the brain. We have, therefore, examined the susceptibility of a human tonsil-derived follicular dendritic cell-like cell line (HK) to prion infection. HK cells were found to display a readily detectable, time-dependent increase in cell-associated abnormal prion protein (PrP(TSE)) when exposed to medium spiked with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease brain homogenate, resulting in a coarse granular perinuclear PrP(TSE) staining pattern. Despite their high level of cellular prion protein expression, HK cells failed to support infection, as judged by longer term maintenance of PrP(TSE) accumulation. Colocalization studies revealed that exposure of HK cells to brain homogenate resulted in increased numbers of detectable lysosomes and that these structures immunostained intensely for PrP(TSE) after exposure to Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease brain homogenate. Our data suggest that human follicular dendritic-like cells and perhaps other human cell types are able to avoid prion infection by efficient lysosomal degradation of PrP(TSE).
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Krejciova
- National Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Research & Surveillance Unit, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Paul De Sousa
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Jean Manson
- Neurobiology Division, The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, United Kingdom
| | - James W Ironside
- National Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Research & Surveillance Unit, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Mark W Head
- National Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Research & Surveillance Unit, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
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Grassmann A, Wolf H, Hofmann J, Graham J, Vorberg I. Cellular aspects of prion replication in vitro. Viruses 2013; 5:374-405. [PMID: 23340381 DOI: 10.3390/v5010374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2012] [Revised: 01/07/2013] [Accepted: 01/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases or transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are fatal neurodegenerative disorders in mammals that are caused by unconventional agents predominantly composed of aggregated misfolded prion protein (PrP). Prions self-propagate by recruitment of host-encoded PrP into highly ordered β-sheet rich aggregates. Prion strains differ in their clinical, pathological and biochemical characteristics and are likely to be the consequence of distinct abnormal prion protein conformers that stably replicate their alternate states in the host cell. Understanding prion cell biology is fundamental for identifying potential drug targets for disease intervention. The development of permissive cell culture models has greatly enhanced our knowledge on entry, propagation and dissemination of TSE agents. However, despite extensive research, the precise mechanism of prion infection and potential strain effects remain enigmatic. This review summarizes our current knowledge of the cell biology and propagation of prions derived from cell culture experiments. We discuss recent findings on the trafficking of cellular and pathologic PrP, the potential sites of abnormal prion protein synthesis and potential co-factors involved in prion entry and propagation.
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Lewis V, Hill AF, Haigh CL, Klug GM, Masters CL, Lawson VA, Collins SJ. Increased proportions of C1 truncated prion protein protect against cellular M1000 prion infection. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2009; 68:1125-35. [PMID: 19918124 DOI: 10.1097/NEN.0b013e3181b96981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion disease pathogenesis is linked to the cell-associated propagation of misfolded protease-resistant conformers (PrP) of the normal cellular prion protein (PrP). Ongoing PrP expression is the only known absolute requirement for successful prion disease transmission and PrP propagation. Further typifying prion disease is selective neuronal dysfunction and loss, although the precise mechanisms underlying this are undefined. We utilized a single prion strain (M1000) and a range of neuronal and nonneuronal, PrP endogenously expressing and transgenically modified overexpressing cell lines, to evaluate whether PrP glycosylation patterns or constitutive N-terminal cleavage events may be determinants of sustained PrP propagation. Our data demonstrates that relative proportions of full-length and C1 truncated PrP are the most important characteristics influencing susceptibility to sustained M1000 prion infection, supporting PrP alpha-cleavage as a protective event, which may contribute to the selective neuronal vulnerability observed in vivo.
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18
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Nuvolone M, Aguzzi A, Heikenwalder M. Cells and prions: A license to replicate. FEBS Lett 2009; 583:2674-84. [DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2009.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2009] [Revised: 06/01/2009] [Accepted: 06/09/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Zhang W, Wu J, Li Y, Carke RC, Wong T. The In Vitro Bioassay Systems for the Amplification and Detection of Abnormal Prion PrPSc in Blood and Tissues. Transfus Med Rev 2008; 22:234-42. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tmrv.2008.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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20
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Lawson VA, Vella LJ, Stewart JD, Sharples RA, Klemm H, Machalek DM, Masters CL, Cappai R, Collins SJ, Hill AF. Mouse-adapted sporadic human Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease prions propagate in cell culture. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2008; 40:2793-801. [PMID: 18590830 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2008.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2008] [Revised: 05/27/2008] [Accepted: 05/29/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Cell based models used for the study of prion diseases have traditionally employed mouse-adapted strains of sheep scrapie prions. To date, attempts to generate human prion propagation in cell culture have been unsuccessful. Rabbit kidney epithelial cells (RK13) are permissive to infection with prions from a variety of species upon expression of cognate PrP transgenes. We explored RK13 cells expressing human PrP for their utility as a cell line capable of sustaining infection with human prions. RK13 cells processed exogenously expressed human PrP similarly to exogenously expressed mouse PrP but were not permissive to infection when exposed to sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease prions. Transmission of the same sporadic Creutzfeldt Jakob disease prions to wild-type mice generated a strain of mouse-adapted human prions, which efficiently propagated in RK13 cells expressing mouse PrP, demonstrating these cells are permissive to infection by mouse-adapted human prions. Our observations underscore the likelihood that, in contrast to prions derived from non-human mammals, additional unidentified cofactors or subcellular environment are critical for the generation of human prions.
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LeBrun M, Huang H, Li X. Susceptibility of cell substrates to PrPSc infection and safety control measures related to biological and biotherapeutical products. Prion 2008; 2:17-22. [PMID: 19164901 DOI: 10.4161/pri.2.1.6280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Concerns over the potential for infectious prion proteins to contaminate human biologics and biotherapeutics have been raised from time to time. Transmission of the pathogenic form of prion protein (PrP(Sc)) through veterinary vaccines has been observed, yet no human case through the use of vaccine products has been reported. However, iatrogenic transmissions of PrP(Sc) in humans through blood components, tissues and growth hormone have been reported. These findings underscore the importance of reliable detection or diagnostic methods to prevent the transmission of prion diseases, given that the number of asymptomatic infected individuals remains unknown, the perceived incubation time for human prion diseases could be decades, and no cure of the diseases has been found yet. A variety of biochemical and molecular methods can selectively concentrate PrP(Sc) to facilitate its detection in tissues and cells. Furthermore, some methods routinely used in the manufacturing process of biological products have been found to be effective in reducing PrP(Sc) from the products. Questions remain unanswered as to the validation criteria of these methods, the minimal infectious dose of the PrP(Sc) required to cause infection and the susceptibility of cells used in gene therapy or the manufacturing process of biological products to PrP(Sc) infections. Here, we discuss some of these challenging issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew LeBrun
- Centre for Biologics Research, Biologics and Genetic Therapies Directorate, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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22
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Abstract
From an early stage of prion research, tissue cultures that could support and propagate the scrapie agent were sought after. The earliest attempts were explants from brains of infected mice, and their growth and morphological characteristics were compared with those from uninfected mice. Using the explant technique, several investigators reported increased cell growth in cultures established from scrapie-sick brain compared with cultures from normal mice. These are odd findings in the light of the massive neuronal cell death known to occur in scrapie-infected brains; however, the cell types responsible for the increased cell growth in the scrapie-explants most probably were not neuronal. The first successful cell culture established in this way, in which the scrapie agent was serially and continuously passaged beyond the initial explant, was in the scrapie mouse brain culture, which is still used today. This chapter describes the generation and use of chronically prion-infected cell lines as cell culture models of prion diseases. These cell lines have been crucial for the current understanding of the cell biology of both the normal (PrP(C)) and the pathogenic isoform (PrP(Sc)) of the prion protein. They also have been useful in the development of antiprion drugs, prospectively used for therapy of prion diseases, and they offer an alternative approach for transmission/infectivity assays normally performed by mouse bioassay. Cell culture models also have been used to study prion-induced cytopathological changes, which could explain the typical spongiform neurodegeneration in prion diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Bedecs
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Sweden
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Cronier S, Beringue V, Bellon A, Peyrin JM, Laude H. Prion strain- and species-dependent effects of antiprion molecules in primary neuronal cultures. J Virol 2007; 81:13794-800. [PMID: 17913812 PMCID: PMC2168876 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01502-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) arise as a consequence of infection of the central nervous system by prions and are incurable. To date, most antiprion compounds identified by in vitro screening failed to exhibit therapeutic activity in animals, thus calling for new assays that could more accurately predict their in vivo potency. Primary nerve cell cultures are routinely used to assess neurotoxicity of chemical compounds. Here, we report that prion strains from different species can propagate in primary neuronal cultures derived from transgenic mouse lines overexpressing ovine, murine, hamster, or human prion protein. Using this newly developed cell system, the activity of three generic compounds known to cure prion-infected cell lines was evaluated. We show that the antiprion activity observed in neuronal cultures is species or strain dependent and recapitulates to some extent the activity reported in vivo in rodent models. Therefore, infected primary neuronal cultures may be a relevant system in which to investigate the efficacy and mode of action of antiprion drugs, including toward human transmissible spongiform encephalopathy agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Cronier
- Unité de Virologie Immunologie Moléculaires, INRA, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
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24
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Abstract
Prion diseases are zoonotic infectious diseases commonly transmissible among animals via prion infections with an accompanying deficiency of cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) and accumulation of an abnormal isoform of prion protein (PrP(Sc)), which are observed in neurons in the event of injury and disease. To understand the role of PrP(C) in the neuron in health and diseases, we have established an immortalized neuronal cell line HpL3-4 from primary hippocampal cells of prion protein (PrP) gene-deficient mice by using a retroviral vector encoding Simian Virus 40 Large T antigen (SV40 LTag). The HpL3-4 cells exhibit cell-type-specific proteins for the neuronal precursor lineage. Recently, this group and other groups have established PrP-deficient cell lines from many kinds of cell types including glia, fibroblasts and neuronal cells, which will have a broad range of applications in prion biology. In this review, we focus on recently obtained information about PrP functions and possible studies on prion infections using the PrPdeficient cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akikazu Sakudo
- Department of Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Japan.
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Sakudo A, Nakamura I, Ikuta K, Onodera T. Recent Developments in Prion Disease Research: Diagnostic Tools and In Vitro Cell Culture Models. J Vet Med Sci 2007; 69:329-37. [PMID: 17485919 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.69.329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
After prion infection, an abnormal isoform of prion protein (PrP(Sc)) converts the cellular isoform of prion protein (PrP(C)) into PrP(Sc). PrP(C)-to-PrP(Sc) conversion leads to PrP(Sc) accumulation and PrP(C) deficiency, contributing etiologically to induction of prion diseases. Presently, most of the diagnostic methods for prion diseases are dependent on PrP(Sc) detection. Highly sensitive/accurate specific detection of PrP(Sc) in many different samples is a prerequisite for attempts to develop reliable detection methods. Towards this goal, several methods have recently been developed to facilitate sensitive and precise detection of PrP(Sc), namely, protein misfolding cyclic amplification, conformation-dependent immunoassay, dissociation-enhanced lanthanide fluorescent immunoassay, capillary gel electrophoresis, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, flow microbead immunoassay, etc. Additionally, functionally relevant prion-susceptible cell culture models that recognize the complexity of the mechanisms of prion infection have also been pursued, not only in relation to diagnosis, but also in relation to prion biology. Prion protein (PrP) gene-deficient neuronal cell lines that can clearly elucidate PrP(C) functions would contribute to understanding of the prion infection mechanism. In this review, we describe the trend in recent development of diagnostic methods and cell culture models for prion diseases and their potential applications in prion biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akikazu Sakudo
- Department of Molecular Immunology, School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Japan
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Abstract
The transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) or prion diseases are infectious neurodegenerative diseases of mammals. Protease-resistant prion protein (PrP-res) is only associated with TSEs and thus has been a target for therapeutic intervention. The most effective compounds known against scrapie in vivo are inhibitors of PrP-res in infected cells. Mouse neuroblastoma (N2a) cells have been chronically infected with several strains of mouse scrapie including RML and 22L. Also, rabbit epithelial cells that produce sheep prion protein in the presence of doxycycline (Rov9) have been infected with sheep scrapie. Here a high-throughput 96-well plate PrP-res inhibition assay is described for each of these scrapie-infected cell lines. With this dot-blot assay, thousands of compounds can easily be screened for inhibition of PrP-res formation. This assay is designed to find new PrP-res inhibitors, which may make good candidates for in vivo anti-scrapie testing. However, an in vitro assay can only suggest that a given compound might have in vivo anti-scrapie activity, which is typically measured as increased survival times. Methods for in vivo testing of compounds for anti-scrapie activity in transgenic mice, a much more lengthy and expensive process, are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Kocisko
- Laboratory of Persisten Viral Diseases, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana 59840, USA
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Raymond GJ, Olsen EA, Lee KS, Raymond LD, Bryant PK, Baron GS, Caughey WS, Kocisko DA, McHolland LE, Favara C, Langeveld JPM, van Zijderveld FG, Mayer RT, Miller MW, Williams ES, Caughey B. Inhibition of protease-resistant prion protein formation in a transformed deer cell line infected with chronic wasting disease. J Virol 2006; 80:596-604. [PMID: 16378962 PMCID: PMC1346862 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.80.2.596-604.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [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] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (prion disease) of North American cervids, i.e., mule deer, white-tailed deer, and elk (wapiti). To facilitate in vitro studies of CWD, we have developed a transformed deer cell line that is persistently infected with CWD. Primary cultures derived from uninfected mule deer brain tissue were transformed by transfection with a plasmid containing the simian virus 40 genome. A transformed cell line (MDB) was exposed to microsomes prepared from the brainstem of a CWD-affected mule deer. CWD-associated, protease-resistant prion protein (PrP(CWD)) was used as an indicator of CWD infection. Although no PrP(CWD) was detected in any of these cultures after two passes, dilution cloning of cells yielded one PrP(CWD)-positive clone out of 51. This clone, designated MDB(CWD), has maintained stable PrP(CWD) production through 32 serial passes thus far. A second round of dilution cloning yielded 20 PrP(CWD)-positive subclones out of 30, one of which was designated MDB(CWD2). The MDB(CWD2) cell line was positive for fibronectin and negative for microtubule-associated protein 2 (a neuronal marker) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (an activated astrocyte marker), consistent with derivation from brain fibroblasts (e.g., meningeal fibroblasts). Two inhibitors of rodent scrapie protease-resistant PrP accumulation, pentosan polysulfate and a porphyrin compound, indium (III) meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphine chloride, potently blocked PrP(CWD) accumulation in MDB(CWD) cells. This demonstrates the utility of these cells in a rapid in vitro screening assay for PrP(CWD) inhibitors and suggests that these compounds have potential to be active against CWD in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory J Raymond
- Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, NIAID, NIH, Rocky Mountain Labs, 903 S. 4th St., Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
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Kikuchi Y, Kakeya T, Sakai A, Takatori K, Nakamura N, Matsuda H, Yamazaki T, Tanamoto KI, Sawada JI. Propagation of a protease-resistant form of prion protein in long-term cultured human glioblastoma cell line T98G. J Gen Virol 2004; 85:3449-3457. [PMID: 15483263 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.80043-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Human prion diseases, such as Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD), a lethal, neurodegenerative condition, occur in sporadic, genetic and transmitted forms. CJD is associated with the conversion of normal cellular prion protein (PrPC) into a protease-resistant isoform (PrPres). The mechanism of the conversion has not been studied in human cell cultures, due to the lack of a model system. In this study, such a system has been developed by culturing cell lines. Human glioblastoma cell line T98G had no coding-region mutations of the prion protein gene, which was of the 129 M/V genotype, and expressed endogenous PrPC constitutively. T98G cells produced a form of proteinase K (PK)-resistant prion protein fragment following long-term culture and high passage number; its deglycosylated form was approximately 18 kDa. The PK-treated PrPres was detected by immunoblotting with the mAb 6H4, which recognizes residues 144–152, and a polyclonal anti-C-terminal antibody, but not by the mAb 3F4, which recognizes residues 109–112, or the anti-N-terminal mAb HUC2-13. These results suggest that PrPC was converted into a proteinase-resistant form of PrPres in T98G cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutaka Kikuchi
- Division of Microbiology, National Institute of Health Sciences, 1-18-1 Kamiyoga, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 158-8501, Japan
| | - Tomoshi Kakeya
- Division of Microbiology, National Institute of Health Sciences, 1-18-1 Kamiyoga, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 158-8501, Japan
| | - Ayako Sakai
- Division of Microbiology, National Institute of Health Sciences, 1-18-1 Kamiyoga, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 158-8501, Japan
| | - Kosuke Takatori
- Division of Microbiology, National Institute of Health Sciences, 1-18-1 Kamiyoga, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 158-8501, Japan
| | - Naoto Nakamura
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Hiroshima University, 1-4-4 Kagamiyama, Higashi-hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8528, Japan
| | - Haruo Matsuda
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Hiroshima University, 1-4-4 Kagamiyama, Higashi-hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8528, Japan
| | - Takeshi Yamazaki
- Division of Food Additives, National Institute of Health Sciences, 1-18-1 Kamiyoga, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 158-8501, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi Tanamoto
- Division of Food Additives, National Institute of Health Sciences, 1-18-1 Kamiyoga, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 158-8501, Japan
| | - Jun-Ichi Sawada
- Division of Biochemistry and Immunochemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences, 1-18-1 Kamiyoga, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 158-8501, Japan
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Sauer H, Wefer K, Vetrugno V, Pocchiari M, Gissel C, Sachinidis A, Hescheler J, Wartenberg M. Regulation of intrinsic prion protein by growth factors and TNF-alpha: the role of intracellular reactive oxygen species. Free Radic Biol Med 2003; 35:586-94. [PMID: 12957651 DOI: 10.1016/s0891-5849(03)00360-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Function and regulation of the intrinsic prion protein (PrPc) are largely unknown. In the present study the regulation of PrPc expression by growth factors and cytokines that increase intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels was studied in glioma and neuroblastoma cells grown as multicellular tumor spheroids. PrPc protein was significantly increased when glioma spheroids were treated with either ATP, nerve growth factor (NGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), whereas mRNA levels as evaluated by Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) remained unchanged. ATP, NGF, EGF, and TNF-alpha raised intracellular ROS levels as evaluated using the redox-sensitive fluorescence dye 2'7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA). The observed elevation in PrPc was completely abolished in the presence of the free radical scavengers vitamin E and ebselen, as well as following pretreatment with the NADPH-oxidase inhibitor diphenylen iodonium chloride (DPI), indicating that PrPc levels are regulated by intracellular ROS. The correlation of PrPc expression to the intracellular ROS levels was investigated by the use of neuroblastoma cells overexpressing either mutant V210I PrP, or wild-type PrPc. It was observed that the intracellular redox state was significantly reduced in PrPc as well as V210I PrP overexpressing cells as compared to non-transfected cells. Consequently, the observed elevation of ROS following treatment with ATP was completely abolished in PrP overexpressing cells. Our data are in line with the assumption that PrPc plays a role as free radical scavenger and/or sensor molecule for oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heinrich Sauer
- Department of Neurophysiology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
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Abstract
Cell cultures represent relevant and useful experimental models of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). They are able to promote, upon subpassaging, stable and persistent replication of PrP(Sc) as well as infectivity. To date, only a few cell culture models permissive to prion replication are available. Among them, mouse neuroblastoma cell lines (N2a) are most commonly used. While they correspond to homologous models supporting propagation of mouse-adapted scrapie strains, recent studies have reported heterologous models sensitive to natural occurring disease. Infected cell culture models have provided some valuable insights into the biogenesis of PrP(Sc) in terms of conversion, subcellular localisations, physiopathological consequences and species-barrier determinants. They have also contributed to the screening and the study of possible therapeutic compounds and to the development of new strategies for the investigation of TSE-specific diagnostic markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérôme Solassol
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, CNRS UPR 1142, Montpellier, France
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31
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Vilette D, Andreoletti O, Archer F, Madelaine MF, Vilotte JL, Lehmann S, Laude H. Ex vivo propagation of infectious sheep scrapie agent in heterologous epithelial cells expressing ovine prion protein. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2001; 98:4055-9. [PMID: 11259656 PMCID: PMC31178 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.061337998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 188] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, or prion diseases, are fatal degenerative disorders of the central nervous system that affect humans and animals. Prions are nonconventional infectious agents whose replication depends on the host prion protein (PrP). Transmission of prions to cultured cells has proved to be a particularly difficult task, and with a few exceptions, their experimental propagation relies on inoculation to laboratory animals. Here, we report on the development of a permanent cell line supporting propagation of natural sheep scrapie. This model was obtained by stable expression of a tetracycline-regulatable ovine PrP gene in a rabbit epithelial cell line. After exposure to scrapie agent, cultures were repeatedly found to accumulate high levels of abnormal PrP (PrPres). Cell extracts induced a scrapie-like disease in transgenic mice overexpressing ovine PrP. These cultures remained healthy and stably infected upon subpassaging. Such data show that (i) cultivated cells from a nonneuronal origin can efficiently replicate prions; and (ii) species barrier can be crossed ex vivo through the expression of a relevant PrP gene. This approach led to the ex vivo propagation of a natural transmissible spongiform encephalopathy agent (i.e., without previous experimental adaptation to rodents) and might be applied to human or bovine prions.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Vilette
- Unité de Virologie Immunologie Moléculaires, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France.
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Vetrugno V, Malchow M, Liu Q, Marziali G, Battistini A, Pocchiari M. Expression of wild-type and V210I mutant prion protein in human neuroblastoma cells. Neurosci Lett 1999; 270:41-4. [PMID: 10454141 DOI: 10.1016/s0304-3940(99)00460-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The conversion of the host-encoded prion protein (PrPc) into the insoluble, protease-resistant isoform (PrPsc) is the main pathogenic mechanism of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. They are fatal neurodegenerative disorders, which in human occur as sporadic, inherited or familial forms. These last forms are linked to insert or point mutations of PrPc which may facilitate the spontaneous conversion into PrPsc. We have established stably transfected human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) expressing mutant V210I, or wild-type PrPc. Both proteins were expressed and attached to the cell surface. The mutation in position 210 did not alter the biochemical properties of the protein in comparison with the wild-type protein nor induced any conformational changes similar to those observed in PrPsc.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Vetrugno
- Laboratory of Virology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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