title: Enhancement of phagocytotic activity by prion protein in PrP-deficient macrophage cells.
abstract: Macrophages, especially follicular dendritic cells, contribute to the pathogenesis of prion diseases by accumulating an abnormal isoform of prion protein (PrPSc), which is converted from the cellular isoform of prion protein (PrPC). As information on the function of PrPC in macrophages is limited, we have established a prion protein (PrP) gene (Prnp)-deficient macrophage cell line from the bone marrow of ZrchI Prnp-/- mice. These cells expressed macrophage specific proteins (F4/80 and MOMA-2) and displayed phagocytotic properties. The Prnp-/- macrophage cell line (MplZ) showed shorter pseudopodium extension and less phagocytotic activity than a Prnp+/+ macrophage cell line (MWF). In addition, the MplZ cells were more sensitive to serum deprivation than the MWF cells and underwent apoptotic cell death in these conditions. These findings suggest that PrPC enhances the incorporation of materials possibly including PrPSc and decreases the sensitivity of cells to oxidative stress, which may be induced by PrPSc accumulation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Immunology, School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku Yayoi, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Ryuta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Uraki
authors.forename: Akikazu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sakudo
authors.forename: Saeko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ando
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kitani
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Onodera
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D017353:Gene Deletion; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D010587:Phagocytosis; D011328:Prions / Q000235:genetics*; D044967:Serum / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011328:Prions