Study on Prion Protein Transport in Sheep Gut
Author Information
Author(s): Caroline Piercey Åkesson, Gillian McGovern, Mark P. Dagleish, Arild Espenes, Charles McL Press, Thor Landsverk, Martin Jeffrey
Primary Institution: Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Oslo, Norway
Hypothesis
How does the infectious prion protein (PrPd) reach the Peyer's patch follicles in the sheep gut?
Conclusion
The study found that exosome-producing follicle-associated epithelium is not involved in the transport of PrPd from the gut to the Peyer's patches in sheep.
Supporting Evidence
- PrPd was detected in Peyer's patch follicles as early as 21 days after inoculation in experimentally infected sheep.
- The study showed that the integrity of the intestinal epithelium was sustained in the intestinal loop model.
- Despite transcytotic activity and exosome release from the FAE, these structures were not associated with transportation of PrPd.
Takeaway
The study looked at how a harmful protein travels in sheep's intestines, and it found that the cells thought to help with this don't actually do so.
Methodology
Electron microscopy was used to study intestinal tissues exposed to scrapie or control homogenates for various time points.
Limitations
The study did not determine how infectivity reaches the follicles of Peyer's patches.
Participant Demographics
New Zealand derived, scrapie-free lambs of the PrPARQ/ARQ genotype.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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