title: The Cellular Prion Protein: A Player in Immunological Quiescence.
abstract: Despite intensive studies since the 1990s, the physiological role of the cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) remains elusive. Here, we present a novel concept suggesting that PrP(C) contributes to immunological quiescence in addition to cell protection. PrP(C) is highly expressed in diverse organs that by multiple means are particularly protected from inflammation, such as the brain, eye, placenta, pregnant uterus, and testes, while at the same time it is expressed in most cells of the lymphoreticular system. In this paradigm, PrP(C) serves two principal roles: to modulate the inflammatory potential of immune cells and to protect vulnerable parenchymal cells against noxious insults generated through inflammation. Here, we review studies of PrP(C) physiology in view of this concept.
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Biosciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences , Oslo , Norway.
authors.forename: Maren K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Bakkebø
authors.affiliation: UMR-S1124, INSERM, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité , Paris , France.
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mouillet-Richard
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Biosciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences , Oslo , Norway.
authors.forename: Arild
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Espenes
authors.affiliation: The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh , Edinburgh , UK.
authors.forename: Wilfred
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Goldmann
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Institute of Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum , Bochum , Germany.
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tatzelt
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Biosciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences , Oslo , Norway.
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Tranulis
keywords: Alzheimer; cell signaling; cytoprotection; immune modulation; immune privilege; inflammation; neurodegeneration; prion protein