title: Blocking of FcR suppresses the intestinal invasion of scrapie agents.
abstract: Prion diseases are a family of neurodegenerative zoonotic foodborne disorders. Although prions can be transmitted orally, the mechanism by which prions are incorporated into the intestine remains unclear. Our previous studies have shown that an abnormal isoform of prion protein (PrP(Sc)), which is the main component of prions, was efficiently incorporated into the intestine in suckling mice but not in weaned mice. Furthermore, suckling SCID mice lacking maternal antibodies showed decreased uptake of PrP(Sc) into the intestine compared with suckling wild-type mice, while the lack of PrP(Sc) uptake into the intestine of suckling SCID mice was rescued by the oral administration of IgG. These findings raise the possibility that the neonatal Fc receptor (nFcR), which contributes to the uptake of maternal antibodies into the intestine, plays a role in PrP(Sc) incorporation into the intestine. The present immunohistochemical study further showed that the FcR blocker Z-ε-aminocaproic acid (ZAA) inhibited PrP(Sc) incorporation into the intestinal villi of suckling mice, supporting the above mentioned concept. Therefore, our findings provide strong evidence that nFcR and maternal antibodies are involved in PrP(Sc) incorporation into the intestine before the weaning period.
authors: Department of Molecular Immunology, School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Ryuta
authors: R
authors: Uraki
authors: Akikazu
authors: A
authors: Sakudo
authors: Kosuke
authors: K
authors: Michibata
authors: Yasuhisa
authors: Y
authors: Ano
authors: Jyuri
authors: J
authors: Kono
authors: Masayoshi
authors: M
authors: Yukawa
authors: Takashi
authors: T
authors: Onodera
mesh_terms: D015119:Aminocaproic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000378:metabolism; D007422:Intestines / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology*; D051379:Mice; D016513:Mice, SCID; D018620:PrPSc Proteins / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D011961:Receptors, Fc / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D018620:PrPSc Proteins; D011961:Receptors, Fc; D015119:Aminocaproic Acid