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Napper S, Schatzl HM. Oral vaccination as a potential strategy to manage chronic wasting disease in wild cervid populations. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1156451. [PMID: 37122761 PMCID: PMC10140515 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1156451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are a novel class of infectious disease based in the misfolding of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) into a pathological, self-propagating isoform (PrPSc). These fatal, untreatable neurodegenerative disorders affect a variety of species causing scrapie in sheep and goats, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle, chronic wasting disease (CWD) in cervids, and Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease (CJD) in humans. Of the animal prion diseases, CWD is currently regarded as the most significant threat due its ongoing geographical spread, environmental persistence, uptake into plants, unpredictable evolution, and emerging evidence of zoonotic potential. The extensive efforts to manage CWD have been largely ineffective, highlighting the need for new disease management tools, including vaccines. Development of an effective CWD vaccine is challenged by the unique biology of these diseases, including the necessity, and associated dangers, of overcoming immune tolerance, as well the logistical challenges of vaccinating wild animals. Despite these obstacles, there has been encouraging progress towards the identification of safe, protective antigens as well as effective strategies of formulation and delivery that would enable oral delivery to wild cervids. In this review we highlight recent strategies for antigen selection and optimization, as well as considerations of various platforms for oral delivery, that will enable researchers to accelerate the rate at which candidate CWD vaccines are developed and evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Napper
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Hermann M. Schatzl
- Calgary Prion Research Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Forloni G, Roiter I, Tagliavini F. Clinical trials of prion disease therapeutics. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2019; 44:53-60. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2019.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Wood ME, Griebel P, Huizenga ML, Lockwood S, Hansen C, Potter A, Cashman N, Mapletoft JW, Napper S. Accelerated onset of chronic wasting disease in elk (Cervus canadensis) vaccinated with a PrP Sc-specific vaccine and housed in a prion contaminated environment. Vaccine 2018; 36:7737-7743. [PMID: 30414779 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.10.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Revised: 10/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/14/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal prion disease affecting multiple cervid species. Effective management tools for this disease, particularly in free-ranging populations, are currently limited. We evaluated a novel CWD vaccine in elk (Cervus canadensis) naturally exposed to CWD through a prion-contaminated environment. The vaccine targets a YYR disease-specific epitope to induce antibody responses specific to the misfolded (PrPSc) conformation. Female elk calves (n = 41) were captured from western Wyoming and transported to the Thorne-Williams Wildlife Research Center where CWD has been documented since 1979. Elk were held in contaminated pens for 14 to 20 days before being alternately assigned to either a vaccine (n = 21) or control group (n = 20). Vaccinated animals initially received two vaccinations approximately 42 days apart and annual vaccinations thereafter. Vaccination induced elevated YYR-specific antibody titers in all animals. Elk were genotyped for the prion protein gene at codon 132, monitored for clinical signs of CWD through daily observation, for disease status through periodic biopsy of rrectoanal mucosa-associated lympoid tissue (RAMALT), and monitored for YYR-specific serum antibody titres. Mean survival of vaccinated elk with the 132MM genotype (n = 15) was significantly shorter (800 days) than unvaccinated elk (n = 13) of the same genotype (1062 days; p = 0.003). Mean days until positive RAMALT biopsy for 132MM vaccinated elk (6 7 8) were significantly shorter than unvaccinated 132MM elk (990; p = 0.012). There was, however, no significant difference in survival between vaccinated (n = 4) and control (n = 5) elk with the 132ML genotype (p = 0.35) or in timing of positive RAMALT biopsies of 132ML elk (p = 0.66). There was no strong (p = 0.17) correlation between YYR-specific antibody titers and survival time. Determining the mechanism by which this vaccine accelerates onset of CWD will be important to direct further CWD vaccine research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary E Wood
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department, 1212 South Adams St, Laramie, WY, USA; Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Thorne-Williams Wildlife Research Center, 2362 HWY 34 Wheatland, WY, USA.
| | - Philip Griebel
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Research Center, University of Saskatchewan, 120 Veterinary Road, S7N 5E3 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan, 104 Clinic Place, S7N 2Z4 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Matthew L Huizenga
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Thorne-Williams Wildlife Research Center, 2362 HWY 34 Wheatland, WY, USA
| | - Samuel Lockwood
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Thorne-Williams Wildlife Research Center, 2362 HWY 34 Wheatland, WY, USA
| | - Cole Hansen
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Thorne-Williams Wildlife Research Center, 2362 HWY 34 Wheatland, WY, USA
| | - Andrew Potter
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Research Center, University of Saskatchewan, 120 Veterinary Road, S7N 5E3 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Neil Cashman
- Department of Neurology, University of British Columbia, S192 - 2211 Wesbrook Mall, V6T 2B5 Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - John W Mapletoft
- Pan-Provincial Vaccine Enterprise Inc. University of Saskatchewan, 120 Veterinary Road, S7N 5E3 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Scott Napper
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Research Center, University of Saskatchewan, 120 Veterinary Road, S7N 5E3 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Saskatchewan, 107 Wiggins Road, S7N 5E5 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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Abstract
Prion diseases denote a distinct form of infectivity that is based in the misfolding of a self-protein (PrP(C)) into a pathological, infectious conformation (PrP(Sc)). Efforts to develop vaccines for prion diseases have been complicated by the potential dangers that are associated with induction of immune responses against a self-protein. As a consequence, there is considerable appeal for vaccines that specifically target the misfolded prion conformation. Such conformation-specific immunotherapy is made possible through the identification of vaccine targets (epitopes) that are exclusively presented as a consequence of misfolding. An immune response directed against these targets, termed disease-specific epitopes (DSEs), has the potential to spare the function of the native form of the protein while clearing, or neutralizing, the infectious isomer. Although identification of DSEs represents a critical first step in the induction of conformation-specific immune responses, substantial efforts are required to translate these targets into functional vaccines. Due to the poor immunogenicity that is inherent to self-proteins, and that is often associated with short peptides, substantial efforts are required to overcome tolerance-to-self and maximize the resultant immune response following DSE-based immunization. This often includes optimization of target sequences in terms of immunogenicity and development of effective formulation and delivery strategies for the associated peptides. Further, these vaccines must satisfy additional criteria from perspectives of specificity (PrP(C) vs. PrP(Sc)) and safety (antibody-induced template-driven misfolding of PrP(C)). The emphasis of this report is on the steps required to translate DSEs into prion vaccines and subsequent evaluation of the resulting immune responses.
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Abstract
Transmissible spongiform encephathalopathies or prion diseases are a group of neurological disorders characterized by neuronal loss, spongiform degeneration, and activation of astrocytes or microglia. These diseases affect humans and animals with an extremely high prevalence in some species such as deer and elk in North America. Although rare in humans, they result in a devastatingly swift neurological progression with dementia and ataxia. Patients usually die within a year of diagnosis. Prion diseases are familial, sporadic, iatrogenic, or transmissible. Human prion diseases include Kuru, sporadic, iatrogenic, and familial forms of Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease, variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease, Gerstmann–Sträussler–Scheinker disease, and fatal familial insomnia. The causative agent is a misfolded version of the physiological prion protein called PrPSc in the brain. There are a number of therapeutic options currently under investigation. A number of small molecules have had some success in delaying disease progression in animal models and mixed results in clinical trials, including pentosan polysulfate, quinacrine, and amphotericin B. More promisingly, immunotherapy has reported success in vitro and in vivo in animal studies and clinical trials. The three main branches of immunotherapy research are focus on antibody vaccines, dendritic cell vaccines, and adoptive transfer of physiological prion protein-specific CD4+ T-lymphocytes. Vaccines utilizing antibodies generally target disease-specific epitopes that are only exposed in the misfolded PrPSc conformation. Vaccines utilizing antigen-loaded dendritic cell have the ability to bypass immune tolerance and prime CD4+ cells to initiate an immune response. Adoptive transfer of CD4+ T-cells is another promising target as this cell type can orchestrate the adaptive immune response. Although more research into mechanisms and safety is required, these immunotherapies offer novel therapeutic targets for prion diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer T Burchell
- Neurodegenerative Disorders Research Pty Ltd, West Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Peter K Panegyres
- Neurodegenerative Disorders Research Pty Ltd, West Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Singh J, Udgaonkar JB. The Pathogenic Mutation T182A Converts the Prion Protein into a Molten Globule-like Conformation Whose Misfolding to Oligomers but Not to Fibrils Is Drastically Accelerated. Biochemistry 2016; 55:459-69. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.5b01266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jogender Singh
- National Centre for Biological
Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru 560065, India
| | - Jayant B. Udgaonkar
- National Centre for Biological
Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru 560065, India
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Taschuk R, Marciniuk K, Määttänen P, Madampage C, Hedlin P, Potter A, Lee J, Cashman NR, Griebel PJ, Napper S. Safety, specificity and immunogenicity of a PrP(Sc)-specific prion vaccine based on the YYR disease specific epitope. Prion 2015; 8:51-9. [PMID: 24509522 DOI: 10.4161/pri.27962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Prions are a novel form of infectivity based on the misfolding of a self-protein (PrP(C)) into a pathological, infectious isomer (PrP(Sc)). The current uncontrolled spread of chronic wasting disease in cervids, coupled with the demonstrated zoonotic nature of select livestock prion diseases, highlights the urgent need for disease management tools. While there is proof-of-principle evidence for a prion vaccine, these efforts are complicated by the challenges and risks associated with induction of immune responses to a self-protein. Our priority is to develop a PrP(Sc)-specific prion vaccine based on epitopes that are uniquely exposed upon misfolding. These disease specific epitopes (DSEs) have the potential to enable specific targeting of the pathological species through immunotherapy. Here we review outcomes of the translation of a prion DSE into a PrP(Sc)-specific vaccine based on the criteria of immunogenicity, safety and specificity.
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Prion protein-specific antibodies-development, modes of action and therapeutics application. Viruses 2014; 6:3719-37. [PMID: 25275428 PMCID: PMC4213558 DOI: 10.3390/v6103719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2014] [Revised: 09/22/2014] [Accepted: 09/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases or Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs) are lethal neurodegenerative disorders involving the misfolding of the host encoded cellular prion protein, PrPC. This physiological form of the protein is expressed throughout the body, and it reaches the highest levels in the central nervous system where the pathology occurs. The conversion into the pathogenic isoform denoted as prion or PrPSc is the key event in prion disorders. Prominent candidates for the treatment of prion diseases are antibodies and their derivatives. Anti-PrPC antibodies are able to clear PrPSc from cell culture of infected cells. Furthermore, application of anti-PrPC antibodies suppresses prion replication in experimental animal models. Major drawbacks of immunotherapy are immune tolerance, the risks of neurotoxic side effects, limited ability of compounds to cross the blood-brain barrier and their unfavorable pharmacokinetic. The focus of this review is to recapitulate the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms for antibody mediated anti-prion activity. Although relevant for designing immunotherapeutic tools, the characterization of key antibody parameters shaping the molecular mechanism of the PrPC to PrPSc conversion remains elusive. Moreover, this review illustrates the various attempts towards the development of anti-PrP antibody compounds and discusses therapeutic candidates that modulate PrP expression.
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McCutcheon S, Langeveld JPM, Tan BC, Gill AC, de Wolf C, Martin S, Gonzalez L, Alibhai J, Blanco ARA, Campbell L, Hunter N, Houston EF. Prion protein-specific antibodies that detect multiple TSE agents with high sensitivity. PLoS One 2014; 9:e91143. [PMID: 24608105 PMCID: PMC3946747 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0091143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2013] [Accepted: 02/07/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper describes the generation, characterisation and potential applications of a panel of novel anti-prion protein monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). The mAbs were generated by immunising PRNP null mice, using a variety of regimes, with a truncated form of recombinant ovine prion protein spanning residues 94-233. Epitopes of specific antibodies were mapped using solid-phase Pepscan analysis and clustered to four distinct regions within the PrP molecule. We have demonstrated the utility of these antibodies by use of Western blotting and immunohistochemistry in tissues from a range of different species affected by transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE). In comparative tests against extensively-used and widely-published, commercially available antibodies, similar or improved results can be obtained using these new mAbs, specifically in terms of sensitivity of detection. Since many of these antibodies recognise native PrPC, they could also be applied to a broad range of immunoassays such as flow cytometry, DELFIA analysis or immunoprecipitation. We are using these reagents to increase our understanding of TSE pathogenesis and for use in potential diagnostic screening assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra McCutcheon
- Neurobiology Division, The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, Easter Bush, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Boon Chin Tan
- Neurobiology Division, The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, Easter Bush, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew C. Gill
- Neurobiology Division, The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, Easter Bush, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher de Wolf
- Neurobiology Division, The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, Easter Bush, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart Martin
- Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Lasswade Laboratory, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Lorenzo Gonzalez
- Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Lasswade Laboratory, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - James Alibhai
- Neurobiology Division, The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, Easter Bush, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - A. Richard Alejo Blanco
- Neurobiology Division, The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, Easter Bush, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Lauren Campbell
- Neurobiology Division, The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, Easter Bush, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Nora Hunter
- Neurobiology Division, The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, Easter Bush, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - E. Fiona Houston
- Neurobiology Division, The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, Easter Bush, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
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Krasniqi B, Lee JS. RNase A does not translocate the alpha-hemolysin pore. PLoS One 2014; 9:e88004. [PMID: 24505349 PMCID: PMC3913706 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0088004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2013] [Accepted: 01/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The application of nanopore sensing utilizing the α-hemolysin pore to probe proteins at single-molecule resolution has expanded rapidly. In some studies protein translocation through the α-hemolysin has been reported. However, there is no direct evidence, as yet, that proteins can translocate the α-hemolysin pore. The biggest challenge to obtaining direct evidence is the lack of a highly sensitive assay to detect very low numbers of protein molecules. Furthermore, if an activity based assay is applied then the proteins translocating by unfolding should refold back to an active confirmation for the assay technique to work. To overcome these challenges we selected a model enzyme, ribonuclease A, that readily refolds to an active conformation even after unfolding it with denaturants. In addition we have developed a highly sensitive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction based activity assay for ribonuclease A. Initially, ribonuclease A, a protein with a positive net charge and dimensions larger than the smallest diameter of the pore, was subjected to nanopore analysis under different experimental conditions. Surprisingly, although the protein was added to the cis chamber (grounded) and a positive potential was applied, the interaction of ribonuclease A with α-hemolysin pore induced small and large blockade events in the presence and the absence of a reducing and/or denaturing agent. Upon measuring the zeta potential, it was found that the protein undergoes a charge reversal under the experimental conditions used for nanopore sensing. From the investigation of the effect of voltage on the interaction of ribonuclease A with the α-hemolysin pore, it was impossible to conclude if the events observed were translocations. However, upon testing for ribonuclease A activity on the trans chamber it was found that ribonuclease A does not translocate the α-hemolysin pore.
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Affiliation(s)
- Besnik Krasniqi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Jeremy S. Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
- * E-mail:
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Madampage CA, Marciniuk K, Määttänen P, Cashman NR, Potter A, Lee JS, Napper S. Nanopore analysis reveals differences in structural stability of ovine PrP(C) proteins corresponding to scrapie susceptible (VRQ) and resistance (ARR) genotypes. Prion 2014; 7:511-9. [PMID: 24401607 DOI: 10.4161/pri.27502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Species, as well as individuals within species, have unique susceptibilities to prion infection that are likely based on sequence differences in cellular prion protein (PrP(C)). Species barriers to transmission also reflect PrP(C) sequence differences. Defining the structure-activity relationship of PrP(C)/PrP(Sc) with respect to infectivity/susceptibility will benefit disease understanding and assessment of transmission risks. Here, nanopore analysis is employed to investigate genotypes of sheep PrP(C) corresponding to differential susceptibilities to scrapie infection. Under non-denaturing conditions scrapie resistant (ARR) and susceptible (VRQ) genotypes display similar, type I (bumping) predominant event profiles, suggesting a conserved folding pattern. Under increasingly denaturing conditions both proteins shift to type II (intercalation/translocation) events but with different sensitivities to unfolding. Specifically, when pre-incubated in 2M Gdn-HCl, the VRQ variant had more of type II events as compared with the ARR protein, suggesting a more flexible unfolding pattern. Addition of PrP(Sc)-specific polyclonal antibody (YML) to the ARR variant, pre-incubated in 2M Gdn-HCl, reduced the number of type II events with no clear intercalation/translocation peak, whereas for VRQ, type II events above blockades of 90 pA bound YML. A second PrP(Sc)-specific antibody (SN6b) to a different cryptic epitope reduced type II events for VRQ but not the ARR variant. Collectively, the event patterns associated with sequential denaturation, as well as interactions with PrP(Sc)-specific antibodies, support unique patterns and/or propensities of misfolding between the genotypes. Overall, nanopore analysis identifies intermediate conformations that occur during the unfolding pathways of ARR and VRQ genotypes and may help to understand the correlation of structural properties that induce protein misfolding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Avis Madampage
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization; University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, SK Canada; Department of Biochemistry; University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, SK Canada
| | - Kristen Marciniuk
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization; University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, SK Canada; Department of Biochemistry; University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, SK Canada
| | - Pekka Määttänen
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization; University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, SK Canada
| | - Neil R Cashman
- University of British Columbia & Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute; Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Andrew Potter
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization; University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, SK Canada
| | - Jeremy S Lee
- Department of Biochemistry; University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, SK Canada
| | - Scott Napper
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization; University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, SK Canada; Department of Biochemistry; University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, SK Canada
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Määttänen P, Taschuk R, Ross L, Marciniuk K, Bertram L, Potter A, Cashman NR, Napper S. PrP(Sc)-specific antibodies do not induce prion disease or misfolding of PrP(C) in highly susceptible Tga20 mice. Prion 2013; 7:434-9. [PMID: 24105298 DOI: 10.4161/pri.26639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are fatal neurodegenerative disorders caused by misfolding of a cellular protein PrP(C) into an infectious conformation PrP(Sc). Previously our group demonstrated induction of PrP(Sc)-specific antibodies with a SN6b vaccine that targets regions of the protein that are exposed upon misfolding. There are concerns that these antibodies could function as templates to promote misfolding and cause disease. To evaluate the consequences of prolonged exposure to PrP(Sc)-specific antibodies in a prion sensitized animal, tga20 mice were vaccinated with the SN6b vaccine. No clinical signs of disease were detected up to 255 d post-vaccination, and postmortem assay of brains and spleens revealed no proteinase-K resistant PrP. These results suggest that vaccinating against TSEs with the SN6b antigen is safe from the standpoint of prion disease induction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ryan Taschuk
- VIDO-InterVac; University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, SK CA; School of Public Health; University of Saskatchewan; SK CA
| | - Li Ross
- Brain Research Center; University of British Columbia; Vancouver, BC CA
| | - Kristen Marciniuk
- VIDO-InterVac; University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, SK CA; Department of Biochemistry; University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, SK CA
| | - Lisa Bertram
- Brain Research Center; University of British Columbia; Vancouver, BC CA
| | - Andrew Potter
- VIDO-InterVac; University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, SK CA
| | - Neil R Cashman
- Brain Research Center; University of British Columbia; Vancouver, BC CA
| | - Scott Napper
- VIDO-InterVac; University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, SK CA; School of Public Health; University of Saskatchewan; SK CA; Department of Biochemistry; University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, SK CA
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