Study of Prion Protein in Sheep Scrapie
Author Information
Author(s): Ryder Stephen J, Dexter Glenda E, Heasman Lindsay, Warner Richard, Moore S Jo
Primary Institution: Department of Pathology, Veterinary Laboratories Agency
Hypothesis
How do scrapie prions accumulate and spread in sheep?
Conclusion
The study found that prion accumulation in sheep occurs through lymphatic and haematogenous spread, with a notably short incubation period.
Supporting Evidence
- All lambs infected at 14 days developed clinical signs after an average of 6 months.
- Prion uptake was first detected in the Peyer's patch of the distal ileum.
- Neuroinvasion occurred in the enteric nervous system before the central nervous system.
Takeaway
Researchers gave young sheep a prion infection and found that the disease spread quickly through their bodies, similar to how it happens in nature.
Methodology
Lambs were orally infected with scrapie prions and monitored for disease progression and prion accumulation in tissues.
Limitations
The study primarily used a specific genetic type of sheep, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Participant Demographics
Lambs aged 14 days, homozygous for the VRQ allele of the PrP gene.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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