Potential of active and passive immunizations for the prevention and therapy of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.
Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies are fatal neurodegenerative disorders that affect humans and certain animals and are caused by prions. In most cases, infection occurs by ingestion of prions. Their long-time persistence in the environment creates a reservoir of potentially infectious matter that renders the eradication of the disease problematic. Unfortunately, no cure is available to date. Yet, for both the treatment of infected and the protection of uninfected individuals, active and passive immunizations have been shown to have a beneficial effect on the course of the disease. The current review provides an overview of such antibody-based approaches and assesses their feasibility and potential in prophylaxis and therapy of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.
Bade
Steffen
S
Research Center Borstel, Division of Mucosal Immunology, Borstel, Germany. sbade@fz-borstel.de
Frey
Andreas
A
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive / Q000639:trends; D018621:PrPC Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D018620:PrPSc Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D017096:Prion Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy* / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary; D014611:Vaccination / Q000639:trends; D015047:Zoonoses
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018621:PrPC Proteins; D018620:PrPSc Proteins