Contribution of Follicular Dendritic Cells to peripheral Prion Accumulation

Completed Research Project

Title / Titel: Contribution of Follicular Dendritic Cells to peripheral Prion Accumulation

Summary / Zusammenfassung: It has been indicated in vivo by an FDC-selective depletion strategy, that FDCs might be the principal sites for synthesis and/or accumulation of prion infectivity in the spleen. Since it is desirable to implement therapeutic strategies to prevent prion replication prior to neuroinvasion, it is essential to further clarify the contribution of FDCs to peripheral prion accumulation. It has been long established that expression of the cellular isoform of the prion protein by the host is required for replication of the agent. Therefore generating a panel of mouse models that express the prion protein selectively on FDCs, lymphoid cells and a combination of the two, will allow to test if these cells are actively involved in peripheral prion replication. Should this be the case, FDCs could serve as a prime target for the development of post-exposure intervention strategies.

Keywords / Suchbegriffe: Follicular Dendritic Cells, Lymphoid Prion Accumulation, Prion Therapy

Project Leadership and Contacts / Projektleitung und Kontakte

Christoph Huber (Project Leader)	christoph.huber@usz.ch
Prof. A. Aguzzi	adriano@pathol.uzh.ch

Other Links to external Webpages: http://www.uzh.ch/pathol/neuropathologie/d/index.html

In Collaboration with / In Zusammenarbeit mit

Prof. J. Weis, Pathology, University of Utahu

United States