title: Decreased cell surface prion protein in mouse models of prion disease.
abstract: Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies are infectious neurodegenerative diseases caused by prions, composed of ordered aggregates of misfolded cellular prion protein. Neural antigen density of prion protein, Thy-1 and glial fibrillary acidic protein was analyzed using flow cytometry of dissociated mouse brain cells after inoculation with mouse-adapted transmissible spongiform encephalopathy agents. Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy gliosis was demonstrated by increased intracellular immunoreactivity for glial fibrillary acidic protein compared with controls. Immunoreactivity for cell surface prion protein was reduced 2.8-3.8-fold compared with control brain cells, whereas surface Thy-1 protein was reduced 1.5-4-fold. Double-staining protocols revealed loss of brain cells highly immunoreactive for prion protein and Thy-1, with a preferential reduction of prion protein, suggesting that prion protein expression, trafficking or consumption may be affected early in disease.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Jennifer K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Griffin
authors.forename: Linda A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Terry
authors.forename: Roy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jackman
authors.forename: Masoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yousefi
authors.forename: Neil R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Cashman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009474:Neurons / Q000473:pathology*; D017096:Prion Diseases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D000072002:Prion Proteins; D011328:Prions / Q000378:metabolism*; D021381:Protein Transport; D018800:Thy-1 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000072002:Prion Proteins; D011328:Prions; C512657:Prnp protein, mouse; D018800:Thy-1 Antigens