Chronic Wasting Disease Prions Are Not Transmissible to Transgenic Mice Overexpressing Human Prion Protein
Author Information
Author(s): Sandberg Malin K., Al-Doujaily Huda, Sigurdson Christina J., Glatzel Markus, O'Malley Catherine, Powell Caroline, Asante Emmanuel A., Linehan Jacqueline M., Brandner Sebastian, Wadsworth Jonathan D. F., Collinge John
Primary Institution: MRC Prion Unit and Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology
Hypothesis
Can chronic wasting disease prions be transmitted to transgenic mice that overexpress human prion protein?
Conclusion
Transgenic mice overexpressing human prion protein are resistant to infection with chronic wasting disease prions.
Supporting Evidence
- Transgenic mice expressing human prion protein were used to assess the transmissibility of CWD prions.
- No clinical signs of prion disease were observed in any of the inoculated mice.
- Pathological examination showed no evidence of abnormal prion protein accumulation in the brains of the mice.
Takeaway
The study found that mice designed to mimic human prion protein did not get sick from chronic wasting disease, suggesting it's not a threat to humans.
Methodology
Transgenic mice were inoculated with CWD-infected brain and spinal cord tissues and monitored for clinical signs of prion disease.
Limitations
The study does not evaluate the potential for multiple prion strains of CWD to transmit to humans.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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