title: PrPSc in salivary glands of scrapie-affected sheep.
abstract: The salivary glands of scrapie-affected sheep and healthy controls were investigated for the presence of the pathological prion protein (PrP(Sc)). PrP(Sc) was detected in major (parotid and mandibular) and minor (buccal, labial, and palatine) salivary glands of naturally and experimentally infected sheep. Using Western blotting, the PrP(Sc) concentration in glands was estimated to be 0.02 to 0.005% of that in brain. Immunohistochemistry revealed intracellular depositions of PrP(Sc) in ductal and acinar epithelia and occasional labeling in the lumina of salivary ducts. The presence of PrP(Sc) in salivary glands highlights the possible role of saliva in the horizontal transmission of scrapie.
authors.affiliation: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell'Università 10, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy. mvascellari@izsvenezie.it
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vascellari
authors.forename: Romolo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nonno
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mutinelli
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bigolaro
authors.forename: Michele Angelo
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Di Bari
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Melchiotti
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marcon
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: D'Agostino
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vaccari
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Conte
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Grossi
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rosone
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Giordani
authors.forename: Umberto
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Agrimi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D011328:Prions / Q000032:analysis*; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000737:chemistry*; D012608:Scrapie / Q000378:metabolism*; D012756:Sheep
chemical_list: D011328:Prions