NR AWDV
AU Cuadrado,M.; Irujo,A.M.; Paternain,B.; Moleres,F.J.; Velayos,J.L.
TI Expression and localization of the cellular prion protein in the cow brain: study of the autochthonous pyrenees breed
QU International Conference - Prion 2006: Strategies, advances and trends towards protection of society - 3.10.-6.10.2006, Torino, Italy, Lingotto Conference Centre - Poster sessions CE-09
PT Konferenz-Poster
AB The appearance of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in the United Kingdom had many economical implications in farmers. Additionally, the finding that it could be transmitted to human via consumption of BSE-contaminated beef products raised concerns on its safety for human consumption. Neuropathological examination of BSE-affected cattle has revealed a prominent alteration in the brainstem, suggesting that this is the primarily affected brain area. Based on the protein-only hypothesis, the presence of the cellular isoform of the prion protein (PrPc) is necessary for the establishment of BSE. Thus, we have studied the expression and localization of PrPc in fifteen brains of a breed of cows with a high incidence for BSE in Navarra (Spain). The brains of these animals were negative for prions, as confirmed by routinely-used diagnostic procedures for BSE screening. We have observed that the expression of PrPc follows a rostrocaudal shift throughout the cow brain, being more abundant in rostral areas such us the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Immunohistochemical staining also revealed that PrPc is present in several areas of the brainstem such us the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, the hypoglossal nucleus and the inferior olives. The presence of PrPc in the vagus and the hypoglossal nuclei might explain a retrograde spread of prions in cows from the gastrointestinal tract via vagus or pneumogastric (cranial nerve X) and hypoglossal nerves (cranial nerve XII) to those areas of the brainstem. From those nuclei, prions would spread through internal brain connections to rostrally-located structures within the brain of cows. Supported by PIUNA and BMH4-CT96-856. FJM is supported by a FPU grant 2003-5033.
AD Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
SP englisch
PO Italien