NR ATPZ
AU Hortells,P.; Monleon,E.; Lujan,L.; Vargas,A.; Acin,C.; Monzon,M.; Bolea,R.; Badiola,J.J.
TI Study of retina and visual pathways in naturally affected scrapie animals
QU International Conference - Prion 2005: Between fundamentals and society's needs - 19.10.-21.10.2005, Congress Center Düsseldorf - Poster Session: Pathogenesis PATH-36
PT Konferenz-Poster
AB
Scrapie is characterized by a spongiform degeneration and PrPsc accumulation in central nervous system (CNS). Other, although not specific, histological lesions, are astrogliosis, apoptosis and neuronal loss.
The histopathological study of retina in TSEs has been mainly focused on experimental models, being only few the studies on natural scrapie. The aim of the present work was to study the distribution of PrPsc in several retinal layers in relation with the evolution of the disease and the evaluation of the presence of associated retinopathies. Additionally, an histopathological examination of the main visual pathways areas was carried out.
Histopathological and immunohistochemical studies on CNS samples (retina and brain) from 20 Scrapie cases (in preclinical, clinical or terminal stage of the disease) and 6 control negative cases were performed.
The main affected layers were the inner plexiform layer and ganglion cells. A scarce involvement of other layers, such as the photoreceptor layer, mainly in the first stages of the disease, was also demonstrated in this work. Furthermore, a high correlation between PrPsc accumulation and glial fibrilar acidic protein was observed, clearest in terminal stages. Finally, the main affected areas were located in the Diencephalum (Pretectal region). Concerning the visual pathways, a higher affectation chiefly in the reticular formation and geniculate nuclei and in the later stages of diseases, was detected.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors thank the Ministry of Aragón Government, Institute of Health Carlos III (CIEN network) and NeuroPrion network, for financial support.
The assistance in processing the samples provided by the National Reference Centre for TSEs and the TSE Regional Laboratory in Aragón technical staff is also gratefully acknowledged.
AD Paloma Hortells, Eva Monleon, Lluis Luján, Antonia Vargas, Cristina Acín, Marta Monzón, Rosa Bolea, Juan José Badiola, Spanish National Reference Centre for TSEs
SP englisch
PO Deutschland