Cell-based quantification of chronic wasting disease prions.
Cell-based measurement of prion infectivity is currently restricted to experimental strains of mouse-adapted scrapie. Having isolated cell cultures with susceptibility to prions from diseased elk, we describe a modification of the scrapie cell assay allowing evaluation of prions causing chronic wasting disease, a naturally occurring transmissible spongiform encephalopathy. We compare this cervid prion cell assay to bioassays in transgenic mice, the only other existing method for quantification, and show this assay to be a relatively economical and expedient alternative that will likely facilitate studies of this important prion disease.
Sanders Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA.
Jifeng
J
Bian
Dana
D
Napier
Vadim
V
Khaychuck
Rachel
R
Angers
Catherine
C
Graham
Glenn
G
Telling
D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D011328:Prions / Q000032:analysis* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D012418:Ruminants; D034081:Wasting Disease, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis*
D011328:Prions