PrPSc in salivary glands of scrapie-affected sheep.
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.
Vascellari
Marta
M
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell'Università 10, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy. mvascellari@izsvenezie.it
Nonno
Romolo
R
Mutinelli
Franco
F
Bigolaro
Michela
M
Di Bari
Michele Angelo
MA
Melchiotti
Erica
E
Marcon
Stefano
S
D'Agostino
Claudia
C
Vaccari
Gabriele
G
Conte
Michela
M
De Grossi
Luigi
L
Rosone
Francesca
F
Giordani
Francesco
F
Agrimi
Umberto
U
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D011328:Prions / Q000032:analysis*; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000737:chemistry*; D012608:Scrapie / Q000378:metabolism*; D012756:Sheep
D011328:Prions