Application of a time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay for the analysis of normal prion protein in human blood and its components.
OBJECTIVE
To quantify the cellular isoform of prion protein (PrP(c)) in human blood using a new time-resolved dissociation-enhanced fluoroimmunoassay (DELFIA).


METHODS
The DELFIA was optimised for human blood samples and applied to isolated cell and plasma fractions from blood donations. The physicochemical properties of PrP(c) were analysed.


RESULTS
26. 5% of blood PrP(c) was associated with the platelet fraction, 0.8% with polymorphonuclear leucocytes, 2.4% with mononuclear leucocytes, 1.8% with red cells and 68.5% with plasma (mean values from 4 processed donations).


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of blood PrP(c) is found in the platelet and plasma compartments.
MacGregor
I
I
National Science Laboratory, Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, Edinburgh, UK. ian.macgregor@snbts.csa.scot.nhs.uk
Hope
J
J
Barnard
G
G
Kirby
L
L
Drummond
O
O
Pepper
D
D
Hornsey
V
V
Barclay
R
R
Bessos
H
H
Turner
M
M
Prowse
C
C
D000941:Antigens; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000737:chemistry; D004355:Drug Stability; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D015200:Fluoroimmunoassay / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000737:chemistry; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000737:chemistry; D010949:Plasma / Q000737:chemistry; D011328:Prions / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology
D000941:Antigens; D011328:Prions