Intestinal entry of prions.
Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is thought to be caused by infected prion protein via ingestion of contaminated beef. After ingestion of infected prion proteins, uptake by small intestine may be by either M-cell dependent or M-cell independent routes. A receptor for prion protein, laminin receptor precursor is expressed on the brush border of small intestinal epithelium in 40 % of subjects. The cellular prion protein expressed on the enteric nervous system might serve as the target for conversion to infectious prion protein and a route for spread to the central nervous system.
Ghosh
S
S
Gastrointestinal Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. s.ghosh@ic.ac.uk
D007562:Creutzfeldt-Jakob Syndrome / Q000473:pathology / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000473:pathology*; D009197:Myenteric Plexus / Q000473:pathology; D011328:Prions / Q000032:analysis*; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000032:analysis*; D017474:Receptors, Laminin
D011328:Prions; D011498:Protein Precursors; D017474:Receptors, Laminin