Tuesday, October 4, 2011

De novo induction of amyloid-β deposition in vivo


Molecular Psychiatry advance online publication 4 October 2011; doi: 10.1038/mp.2011.120

De novo induction of amyloid-β deposition in vivo



R Morales1,2, C Duran-Aniotz1,3, J Castilla2,4, L D Estrada2,5 and C Soto1,2

  1. 1Mitchell Center for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Brain Disorders, Department of Neurology, University of Texas Houston Medical School, Houston, TX, USA
  2. 2University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
  3. 3Universidad de Los Andes, Facultad de Medicina. Av. San Carlos de Apoquindo 2200, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
  4. 4CIC bioGUNE, Parque Tecnologico de Biskaia, Ed 800, 48160 Derio and IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48011 Bilbao, Spain



Correspondence: Dr C Soto, Mitchell Center for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Brain Disorders, Department of Neurology, University of Texas Houston Medical School, 6431 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77030, USA. E-mail: mailto:Claudio.Soto@uth.tmc.edu


5Current address: Laboratorio de Señalización Celular, Centro de Envejecimiento y Regeneración. P. Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.

Received 8 March 2011; Revised 15 August 2011; Accepted 25 August 2011; Published online 4 October 2011.

Abstract




Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common type of senile dementia, is associated to the build-up of misfolded amyloid-β (Aβ) in the brain. Although compelling evidences indicate that the misfolding and oligomerization of Aβ is the triggering event in AD, the mechanisms responsible for the initiation of Aβ accumulation are unknown. In this study, we show that Aβ deposition can be induced by injection of AD brain extracts into animals, which, without exposure to this material, will never develop these alterations. The accumulation of Aβ deposits increased progressively with the time after inoculation, and the Aβ lesions were observed in brain areas far from the injection site. Our results suggest that some of the typical brain abnormalities associated with AD can be induced by a prion-like mechanism of disease transmission through propagation of protein misfolding. These findings may have broad implications for understanding the molecular mechanisms responsible for the initiation of AD, and may contribute to the development of new strategies for disease prevention and intervention.


snip...


Discussion




Recent studies have proposed that other proteinmisfolding disorders besides prion diseases could be transmissible in vivo, following the principles posited by the heretical prion mechanism.8,16–20 If this hypothesis proves to be correct, it will open a novel view on the biology of misfolded protein aggregates and the origin of protein-misfolding disorders, which will have broad-ranging implications for understanding the disease mechanisms and development of new strategies for disease prevention and intervention. In this scenario, our results demonstrate that the administration of brain homogenates containing Ab aggregates can induce some of the neuropathological characteristics of AD in animals, which, without inoculation, will not develop these alterations during their natural lifespan. This experimental paradigm mimic, at least with respect to Ab aggregation, a situation in which a normal person will live his entire life without developing AD abnormalities, unless the process is induced by exposure to material containing seeds of preformed Ab aggregates.



Our findings suggest that in an experimental setting, misfolded Ab aggregates can behave in a similar way as infectious prions. Indeed, as in prion diseases, our data shows that the quantity and degree of maturation of the protein deposits increases with age and that the seeding activity can spread to areas other than the site of injection...



snip... see here ;

Keywords:


amyloid; prion; protein misfolding; disease transmission



POLITICAL BSe and CJD and THE WOW FACTOR $$$



Monday, September 26, 2011


Variably Protease-Sensitive Prionopathy, Prionpathy, Prionopathy, FFI, GSS, gCJD, hvCJD, sCJD, TSE, PRION, update 2011

Sunday, September 25, 2011

 

Mad Cow Scaremongers by Terry S. Singeltary Sr. a review of the TSE prion agent 2003-2011

http://transmissiblespongiformencephalopathy.blogspot.com/2011/09/mad-cow-scaremongers.html



TSS



CJD1/9 0185

Ref: 1M51A

IN STRICT CONFIDENCE

Dr McGovern From: Dr A Wight

Date: 5 January 1993

Copies: Dr Metters

Dr Skinner

Dr Pickles

Dr Morris

Mr Murray


TRANSMISSION OF ALZHEIMER-TYPE PLAQUES TO PRIMATES


1. CMO will wish to be aware that a meeting was held at DH yesterday, 4 January, to discuss the above findings. It was chaired by Professor Murray (Chairman of the MRC Co-ordinating Committee on Research in the Spongiform Encephalopathies in Man), and attended by relevant experts in the fields of Neurology, Neuropathology, molecular biology, amyloid biochemistry, and the spongiform encephalopathies, and by representatives of the MRC and AFRC.


2. Briefly, the meeting agreed that:


i) Dr Ridley et als findings of experimental induction of p amyloid in primates were valid, interesting and a significant advance in the understanding of neurodegenerative disorders;


ii) there were no immediate implications for the public health, and no further safeguards were thought to be necessary at present; and


iii) additional research was desirable, both epidemiological and at the molecular level. Possible avenues are being followed up by DH and the MRC, but the details will require further discussion.



93/01.05/4.1tss



http://collections.europarchive.org/tna/20080102191246/http://www.bseinquiry.gov.uk/files/yb/1993/01/05004001.pdf






BSE101/1 0136

IN CONFIDENCE

5 NOV 1992

CMO From: Dr J S Metters DCMO 4 November 1992


TRANSMISSION OF ALZHEIMER TYPE PLAQUES TO PRIMATES


1. Thank you for showing me Diana Dunstan's letter. I am glad that MRC have recognized the public sensitivity of these findings and intend to report them in their proper context. This hopefully will avoid misunderstanding and possible distortion by the media to portray the results as having more greater significance than the findings so far justify.


2. Using a highly unusual route of transmission (intra-cerebral injection) the researchers have demonstrated the transmission of a pathological process from two cases one of severe Alzheimer's disease the other of Gerstmann-Straussler disease to marmosets. However they have not demonstrated the transmission of either clinical condition as the "animals were behaving normally when killed'. As the report emphasizes the unanswered question is whether the disease condition would have revealed itself if the marmosets had lived longer. They are planning further research to see if the conditions, as opposed to the partial pathological process, is transmissible.


What are the implications for public health?


3. . The route of transmission is very specific and in the natural state of things highly unusual. However it could be argued that the results reveal a potential risk, in that brain tissue from these two patients has been shown to transmit a pathological process. Should therefore brain tissue from such cases be regarded as potentially infective? Pathologists, morticians, neuro surgeons and those assisting at neuro surgical procedures and others coming into contact with "raw" human brain tissue could in theory be at risk. However, on a priori grounds given the highly specific route of transmission in these experiments that risk must be negligible if the usual precautions for handling brain tissue are observed.


92/11.4/1-1


BSE101/1 0137


4. The other dimension to consider is the public reaction. To some extent the GSS case demonstrates little more than the transmission of BSE to a pig by intra-cerebral injection. If other prion diseases can be transmitted in this way it is little surprise that some pathological findings observed in GSS were also transmissible to a marmoset. But the transmission of features of Alzheimer's pathology is a different matter, given the much greater frequency of this disease and raises the unanswered question whether some cases are the result of a transmissible prion. The only tenable public line will be that "more research is required" before that hypothesis could be evaluated. The possibility on a transmissible prion remains open. In the meantime MRC needs carefully to consider the range and sequence of studies needed to follow through from the preliminary observations in these two cases. Not a particularly comfortable message, but until we know more about the causation of Alzheimer's disease the total reassurance is not practical.


JS METTERS Room 509 Richmond House Pager No: 081-884 3344 Callsign: DOH 832


121/YdeStss


92/11.4/1.2




http://collections.europarchive.org/tna/20080102232842/http://www.bseinquiry.gov.uk/files/yb/1992/11/04001001.pdf

thought some of you might be interested in this. the thing that concerns me the most is the potential here for iatrogenic transmission of Alzheimer's disease. if true, it would explain a lot...



Friday, August 13, 2010



Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) biannual update 13 August 2010 UK Iatrogenic CJD Incidents Report



http://creutzfeldt-jakob-disease.blogspot.com/2010/08/creutzfeldt-jakob-disease-cjd-biannual.html




Tuesday, March 29, 2011



TRANSMISSIBLE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY EXPOSURE SPREADING VIA HOSPITALS AND SURGICAL PROCEDURES AROUND THE GLOBE



http://transmissiblespongiformencephalopathy.blogspot.com/2011/03/transmissible-spongiform-encephalopathy.html




Wednesday, September 21, 2011




PrioNet Canada researchers in Vancouver confirm prion-like properties in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)



http://transmissiblespongiformencephalopathy.blogspot.com/2011/09/prionet-canada-researchers-in-vancouver.html





PP1:



Does A “Prion-Like” Mechanism Contribute to the Spreading of Neuropathology in Parkinson’s Disease?



Patrik Brundin Neuronal Survival Unit; Wallenberg Neuroscience Center; Dept of Experimental Medical Science; Lund University; Lund, Sweden



Key words: Parkinson’s disease, prion mechanism, alpha-synuclein



Neuropathological aggregates of alpha-synuclein in neuronal cytoplasm and neurites are typical features of Parkinson’s disease (PD). These Lewy neurites and Lewy bodies are prominent in substantia nigra, where dopaminergic neurons degenerate. With advancing disease they are also found in several other widespread brain areas, and it has been suggested that they appear in anterior olfactory structures and the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagal nerve even before the substantia nigra is affected. Recent studies demonstrated that Lewy bodies and neurites appear in grafted embryonic neurons.1-3 They stain for Thioflavin S, are immunoreactive for alpha-synuclein phosphorylated at serine residue 129 and exhibit a fibrillar structure in the electron microscope.4 From 2 to 5% (frequency increases over time) of the grafted dopaminergic neurons display Lewy bodies, starting around one decade after surgery. Despite these changes, some of the PD grafted patients still exhibit signs of functional recovery beyond a decade after surgery. We, and others, are currently exploring possible mechanisms underlying the transfer of alpha-synuclein between cells and their relevance to how neuropathology normally spreads in the PD brain.5,6 We have observed that alpha-synuclein indeed can transfer between cells in culture. The process is clearly time-dependent and once inside the new cell the imported alpha-synuclein can seed aggregation of endogenous alpha-synuclein. Furthermore, we have observed transfer of host-derived alpha-synuclein into embryonic dopamine neurons grafted into the striatum of transgenic mice expressing human alpha-synuclein. We propose that a “prion-like” disease mechanism might contribute to the pathogenesis of PD and other chronic neurodegenerative disorders.6



References



1. Li, et al. Nat Med 2008; 14:501-3. 2. Kordower, et al. Nat Med 2008; 14:504-6. 3. Kordower, et al. Mov Disord 2008; 23:2303-6. 4. Li, et al. Mov Disord 2010; [Epub ahead of print]. 5. Brundin, et al. Nat Rev Neurosci 2008; 9:741-5. 6. Brundin, et al. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2010; 11:301-7. PP: Plenary Lectures Previously published online: www.landesbioscience.com/journals/prion/article/12765



DOI: 10.4161/pri.4.3.12765



===========================



WP8-4: Prion-like Induction of Alzheimer-type Proteopathy in Transgenic Mice



Lary C. Walker



Yerkes Center; Emory University; Atlanta, GA USA



Key words: abeta, Alzheimer, amyloid, prion, seeding, strains, transgenic, transmission



Alzheimer’s disease and prion disease both involve the accumulation of disease-specific proteins in the brain, suggesting pathogenic commonalities. In Alzheimer’s disease, the aggregation of the protein fragment Aßis a seminal event. Similar to the templated corruption of prion protein, cerebral Aßdeposition can be induced in ß-amyloid precursor protein (APP)-transgenic mice and rats by the intracerebral injection of Aß-rich brain extracts from patients with Alzheimer’s disease or APP-transgenic mice. Our studies indicate that the characteristics of the seeded deposits depend on the source of the seeding extract, the type of host, and the seeded brain region. We are using the amyloid-binding agent Pittsburgh Compound B (PIB) as a marker of a potential AD-specific form of multimeric Aß, and are attempting to induce alternative conformations in the transgenic mouse Aß-seeding model. In addition, we are investigating non-intracerebral routes of administration and the ability of heterologous agents to induce Aßdeposition. Analysis of Aß-seeding in vivo could yield fresh insights into the origins of idiopathic Alzheimer’s disease.



Acknowledgements



Key collaborators on these studies are Mathias Jucker (U. Tübingen), Rebecca Rosen (Emory U.) and Harry LeVine III (U. Kentucky). Supported by NIH RR-00165 and the CART Foundation.



===========================



PPo9-1: Prion-like Propagation of SOD1 Misfolding in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis



Neil R. Cashman



University of British Columbia; Vancouver, British Columbia Canada



Key words: protein misfolding, mechanisms of neurodegeneration, transmission



Prion-like propagation of protein misfolding has been implicated in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases, and the tauopathies. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a common and incurable adult motor neuron disease, in which mutation of the free-radical defense enzyme superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) is responsible for a subtype of familial ALS (fALS). We demonstrate that transfection of fALS SOD1 mutants G127X and G85R, as well as overexpression of non-mutant wild-type (wt) SOD1, can induce misfolding of natively-structured wild-type SOD1 in human mesenchymal and neural cell lines, as determined by molecular surface immunoreactivity with misfolding-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), acquisition of protease sensitivity (suggesting structural loosening), generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and formation of non-native intermolecular disulfide bonds. Serial transmission of SOD1 misfolding was established by incubation in conditioned media from mtSOD1- or wtSOD1-transfected HEK cells, and knockdown of endogenous SOD1 expression in HEK cells by siRNA abrogated the transmission of SOD1 misfolding, consistent with endogenously expressed SOD1 being the substrate for conformational conversion. Pre-incubation of SOD1-transfected conditioned media with poly-specific SOD1 antibodies or misfolding-specific mAbs also blocked intercellular transducing activity, and passive administration of misfolding-specific mAbs extends survival in the G37R transgenic mouse model of ALS. We conclude that misfolded SOD1 participates in a template-directed misfolding cascade which provides a plausable molecular mechanism for progression of familial and sporadic ALS. Antibody-mediated neutralization of SOD1 misfolding propagation could prove beneficial in human ALS.



================



http://www.prion2011.ca/files/PRION_2011_-_Posters_(May_5-11).pdf





Alimentary prion infections: Touch-down in the intestine



Volume 5, Issue 1 January/February/March 2011 Bianca Da Costa Dias, Katarina Jovanovic and Stefan F.T. Weiss View affiliations Hide affiliations Bianca Da Costa DiasSchool of Molecular and Cell Biology; University of the Witwatersrand; Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa Katarina JovanovicSchool of Molecular and Cell Biology; University of the Witwatersrand; Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa Stefan F.T. WeissCorresponding author: stefan.weiss@wits.ac.za School of Molecular and Cell Biology; University of the Witwatersrand; Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa



Neurodegenerative diseases are caused by proteinaceous aggregates, usually consisting of misfolded proteins which are often typified by a high proportion of ß-sheets, which accumulate in the Central Nervous System. These diseases, including Morbus Alzheimer, Parkinson disease and Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs) also termed prion disorders, afflict a substantial proportion of the human population and as such the etiology and pathogenesis of these diseases has been the focus of mounting research. Although many of these diseases arise from genetic mutations or are sporadic in nature, the possible horizontal transmissibility of neurodegenerative diseases poses a great threat to population health. In this article we discuss recent studies which suggest that the “non-transmissible” status bestowed upon Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases may need to be revised as these diseases have been successfully induced through tissue transplants. Furthermore, we highlight the importance of investigating the “natural” mechanism of prion transmission including peroral and perenteral transmission, proposed routes of gastrointestinal uptake and neuroinvasion of ingested infectious prion proteins. We examine the multitude of factors which may influence oral transmissibility and discuss the zoonotic threats which Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) and Scrapie may pose resulting in vCJD or related disorders. In addition, we suggest that the 37 kDa/67 kDa laminin receptor on the cell surface of enterocytes, a major cell population in the intestine, may play an important role in the intestinal pathophysiology of alimentary prion infections.



http://www.landesbioscience.com/journals/prion/article/14283




Commentary ß-amyloid oligomers and prion protein: Fatal attraction?



Volume 5, Issue 1 January/February/March 2011 Gianluigi Forloni and Claudia Balducci



Gianluigi Forloni Corresponding author: forloni@marionegri.it



Claudia Balducci Biology of Neurodegenerative Diseases Lab; Department of Neuroscience; “Mario Negri” Institute for Pharmacological Research; Milano, Italy



The relationship between Alzheimer disease (AD) and prion-related encephalopathies (TSE) has been proposed by different points of view. Recently, the scientific attention has been attracted by the results proposing the possibility that PrPc, the protein whose pathologic form is responsible of TSE, can mediated the toxic effect of ß amyloid (Aß) oligomers. The oligomers are considered the culprit of the neurodegenerative process associated to AD, although the pathogenic mechanism activated by these small aggregates remain to be elucidated. In the initial study based on the binding screening PrPc was identified as ligand /receptor of Aß oligomers, while long term potentiation (LTP) analysis in vitro and behavioural studies in vivo, demonstrated that the absence of PrPc abolished the damage induced by Aß oligomers. The high affinity binding Aß oligomers-PrPc has been confirmed, whereas a functional role of this association has been excluded by three different studies. We approached this issue by the direct application of Aß oligomers in the brain followed by the behavioural examination of memory deficits. Our data using PrP knock-out mice suggest that Aß 1-42 oligomers are responsible for cognitive impairment in AD but PrPc is not required for their effect. Similarly, in two other studies the LTP alterations induced by Aß 1-42 oligomers was not influenced by the absence of PrP. Possible explanations of these contradictory results are discussed.



http://www.landesbioscience.com/journals/prion/article/14367/





http://www.landesbioscience.com/journals/prion/toc/volume/5/issue/1/




Friday, October 22, 2010



Peripherally Applied Aß-Containing Inoculates Induce Cerebral ß-Amyloidosis



http://betaamyloidcjd.blogspot.com/2010/10/peripherally-applied-containing.html




Friday, September 3, 2010



Alzheimer's, Autism, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Parkinson's, Prionoids, Prionpathy, Prionopathy, TSE



http://betaamyloidcjd.blogspot.com/2010/09/alzheimers-autism-amyotrophic-lateral.html





Wednesday, January 5, 2011



ENLARGING SPECTRUM OF PRION-LIKE DISEASES Prusiner Colby et al 2011 Prions



David W. Colby1,* and Stanley B. Prusiner1,2



http://cshperspectives.cshlp.org/content/3/1/a006833.full.pdf+html



SEE MUCH MORE HERE ;



http://betaamyloidcjd.blogspot.com/2011/01/enlarging-spectrum-of-prion-like.html





http://betaamyloidcjd.blogspot.com/





Wednesday, March 31, 2010



Atypical BSE in Cattle



To date the OIE/WAHO assumes that the human and animal health standards set out in the BSE chapter for classical BSE (C-Type) applies to all forms of BSE which include the H-type and L-type atypical forms. This assumption is scientifically not completely justified and accumulating evidence suggests that this may in fact not be the case. Molecular characterization and the spatial distribution pattern of histopathologic lesions and immunohistochemistry (IHC) signals are used to identify and characterize atypical BSE. Both the L-type and H-type atypical cases display significant differences in the conformation and spatial accumulation of the disease associated prion protein (PrPSc) in brains of afflicted cattle. Transmission studies in bovine transgenic and wild type mouse models support that the atypical BSE types might be unique strains because they have different incubation times and lesion profiles when compared to C-type BSE.



When L-type BSE was inoculated into ovine transgenic mice and Syrian hamster the resulting molecular fingerprint had changed, either in the first or a subsequent passage, from L-type into C-type BSE. In addition, non-human primates are specifically susceptible for atypical BSE as demonstrated by an approximately 50% shortened incubation time for L-type BSE as compared to C-type. Considering the current scientific information available, it cannot be assumed that these different BSE types pose the same human health risks as C-type BSE or that these risks are mitigated by the same protective measures.



This study will contribute to a correct definition of specified risk material (SRM) in atypical BSE. The incumbent of this position will develop new and transfer existing, ultra-sensitive methods for the detection of atypical BSE in tissue of experimentally infected cattle.



http://www.prionetcanada.ca/detail.aspx?menu=5&dt=293380&app=93&cat1=387&tp=20&lk=no&cat2





Thursday, August 12, 2010



Seven main threats for the future linked to prions



First threat



The TSE road map defining the evolution of European policy for protection against prion diseases is based on a certain numbers of hypotheses some of which may turn out to be erroneous. In particular, a form of BSE (called atypical Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy), recently identified by systematic testing in aged cattle without clinical signs, may be the origin of classical BSE and thus potentially constitute a reservoir, which may be impossible to eradicate if a sporadic origin is confirmed.



***Also, a link is suspected between atypical BSE and some apparently sporadic cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans. These atypical BSE cases constitute an unforeseen first threat that could sharply modify the European approach to prion diseases.



Second threat



snip...



http://www.neuroprion.org/en/np-neuroprion.html





http://prionpathy.blogspot.com/2010/08/seven-main-threats-for-future-linked-to.html




http://prionpathy.blogspot.com/





Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee



The possible impacts and consequences for public health, trade and agriculture of the Government's decision to relax import restrictions on beef Final report June 2010



2.65 At its hearing on 14 May 2010, the committee heard evidence from Dr Alan Fahey who has recently submitted a thesis on the clinical neuropsychiatric, epidemiological and diagnostic features of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.48 Dr Fahey told the committee of his concerns regarding the lengthy incubation period for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, the inadequacy of current tests and the limited nature of our current understanding of this group of diseases.49



2.66 Dr Fahey also told the committee that in the last two years a link has been established between forms of atypical CJD and atypical BSE. Dr Fahey said that: They now believe that those atypical BSEs overseas are in fact causing sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. They were not sure if it was due to mad sheep disease or a different form. If you look in the textbooks it looks like this is just arising by itself. But in my research I have a summary of a document which states that there has never been any proof that sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease has arisen de novo-has arisen of itself. There is no proof of that. The recent research is that in fact it is due to atypical forms of mad cow disease which have been found across Europe, have been found in America and have been found in Asia. These atypical forms of mad cow disease typically have even longer incubation periods than the classical mad cow disease.50



http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/rrat_ctte/mad_cows/report/report.pdf




14th ICID International Scientific Exchange Brochure -



Final Abstract Number: ISE.114



Session: International Scientific Exchange



Transmissible Spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) animal and human TSE in North America update October 2009



T. Singeltary



Bacliff, TX, USA



Background:



An update on atypical BSE and other TSE in North America. Please remember, the typical U.K. c-BSE, the atypical l-BSE (BASE), and h-BSE have all been documented in North America, along with the typical scrapie's, and atypical Nor-98 Scrapie, and to date, 2 different strains of CWD, and also TME. All these TSE in different species have been rendered and fed to food producing animals for humans and animals in North America (TSE in cats and dogs ?), and that the trading of these TSEs via animals and products via the USA and Canada has been immense over the years, decades.



Methods:



12 years independent research of available data



Results:



I propose that the current diagnostic criteria for human TSEs only enhances and helps the spreading of human TSE from the continued belief of the UKBSEnvCJD only theory in 2009. With all the science to date refuting it, to continue to validate this old myth, will only spread this TSE agent through a multitude of potential routes and sources i.e. consumption, medical i.e., surgical, blood, dental, endoscopy, optical, nutritional supplements, cosmetics etc.



Conclusion:



I would like to submit a review of past CJD surveillance in the USA, and the urgent need to make all human TSE in the USA a reportable disease, in every state, of every age group, and to make this mandatory immediately without further delay. The ramifications of not doing so will only allow this agent to spread further in the medical, dental, surgical arena's. Restricting the reporting of CJD and or any human TSE is NOT scientific. Iatrogenic CJD knows NO age group, TSE knows no boundaries. I propose as with Aguzzi, Asante, Collinge, Caughey, Deslys, Dormont, Gibbs, Gajdusek, Ironside, Manuelidis, Marsh, et al and many more, that the world of TSE Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy is far from an exact science, but there is enough proven science to date that this myth should be put to rest once and for all, and that we move forward with a new classification for human and animal TSE that would properly identify the infected species, the source species, and then the route.



http://ww2.isid.org/Downloads/14th_ICID_ISE_Abstracts.pdf





Monday, May 23, 2011



Atypical Prion Diseases in Humans and Animals 2011



Top Curr Chem (2011)



DOI: 10.1007/128_2011_161



# Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2011



Michael A. Tranulis, Sylvie L. Benestad, Thierry Baron, and Hans Kretzschmar



Abstract



Although prion diseases, such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in humans and scrapie in sheep, have long been recognized, our understanding of their epidemiology and pathogenesis is still in its early stages. Progress is hampered by the lengthy incubation periods and the lack of effective ways of monitoring and characterizing these agents. Protease-resistant conformers of the prion protein (PrP), known as the "scrapie form" (PrPSc), are used as disease markers, and for taxonomic purposes, in correlation with clinical, pathological, and genetic data. In humans, prion diseases can arise sporadically (sCJD) or genetically (gCJD and others), caused by mutations in the PrP-gene (PRNP), or as a foodborne infection, with the agent of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) causing variant CJD (vCJD). Person-to-person spread of human prion disease has only been known to occur following cannibalism (kuru disease in Papua New Guinea) or through medical or surgical treatment (iatrogenic CJD, iCJD). In contrast, scrapie in small ruminants and chronic wasting disease (CWD) in cervids behave as infectious diseases within these species. Recently, however, so-called atypical forms of prion diseases have been discovered in sheep (atypical/Nor98 scrapie) and in cattle, BSE-H and BSE-L. These maladies resemble sporadic or genetic human prion diseases and might be their animal equivalents. This hypothesis also raises the significant public health question of possible epidemiological links between these diseases and their counterparts in humans.



M.A. Tranulis (*)



Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Oslo, Norway



e-mail: Michael.Tranulis@nvh.no



S.L. Benestad



Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Oslo, Norway



T. Baron



Agence Nationale de Se´curite´ Sanitaire, ANSES, Lyon, France



H. Kretzschmar



Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Munich, Germany



Keywords Animal Atypical Atypical/Nor98 scrapie BSE-H BSE-L Human Prion disease Prion strain Prion type



http://resources.metapress.com/pdf-preview.axd?code=f433r34h34ugg617&size=largest




snip...SEE MORE HERE ;



http://bse-atypical.blogspot.com/2011/05/atypical-prion-diseases-in-humans-and.html






Saturday, June 25, 2011



Transmissibility of BSE-L and Cattle-Adapted TME Prion Strain to Cynomolgus Macaque



"BSE-L in North America may have existed for decades"



http://transmissiblespongiformencephalopathy.blogspot.com/2011/06/transmissibility-of-bse-l-and-cattle.html





Over the next 8-10 weeks, approximately 40% of all the adult mink on the farm died from TME.



snip...



The rancher was a ''dead stock'' feeder using mostly (>95%) downer or dead dairy cattle...



http://web.archive.org/web/20030516051623/http://www.bseinquiry.gov.uk/files/mb/m09/tab05.pdf





Thursday, August 4, 2011



Terry Singeltary Sr. on the Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Public Health Crisis, Date aired: 27 Jun 2011
(SEE VIDEO)



http://transmissiblespongiformencephalopathy.blogspot.com/2011/08/terry-singeltary-sr-on-creutzfeldt.html







Monday, September 26, 2011



Variably Protease-Sensitive Prionopathy, Prionpathy, Prionopathy, FFI, GSS, gCJD, hvCJD, sCJD, TSE, PRION, update 2011



http://prionopathy.blogspot.com/2011/09/variably-protease-sensitive-prionopathy.html






kindest regards, terry



LAYPERSON




 



 

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Induction of Ab Amyloidogenesis In Vivo by Blood Transfusion

Induction of Ab Amyloidogenesis In Vivo by Blood Transfusion


Rodrigo Morales,1,† Claudia Duran-Aniotz,1, 2 Akihiko Urayama,1 Lisbell Estrada,3 Diego Morales-Scheihing1, 2 and Claudio Soto1

1University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Houston, TX USA; 2Universidad de Los Andes; Santiago, Chile; 3Universidad Catolica de Chile; Santiago, Chile†Presenting author; Email: Rodrigo.MoralesLoyola@uth.tmc.edu


Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common type of senile dementia. Disease manifestation is characterized by progressive impairment of memory and cognition which is triggered by synaptic dysfunction and neuronal loss. Compelling evidence suggests that misfolding and aggregation of Ab is a hallmark event in the disease pathogenesis. An important unanswered question related to AD involves its etiology since over 90% of the AD cases arise sporadically. Interestingly, misfolding and aggregation of proteins is the main feature of other diseases -termed Protein Misfolding Disorders (PMDs)] which include Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs), among others. Convincing experimental evidences have shown that the only component of the infectious agent in TSEs is the misfolded form of the prion protein. Strikingly, the molecular mechanisms responsible for prion replication are very similar to the process of amyloid formation in all PMDs, suggesting that all these diseases have the inherent capability of being transmissible. Recent reports have shown that intra-cerebral and intra-peritoneal administration of brain homogenates containing Ab aggregates can accelerate the generation of senile plaques in mice models of AD. However, it remains to be demonstrated if this phenomenon can occur by more relevant routes of administration. The aim of this study was to assess whether AD pathogenesis can be induced intravenously, mimicking the know transmission of prion diseases through blood transfusion. For this purpose we used young tg2576 mice which were injected with blood obtained from 12 months old tg2576 mice (AD-blood) that contains a substantial quantity of cerebral Ab deposits. Mice were sacrificed at 250 days old, a time in which these animals scarcely develop Ab deposits. Interestingly, we observed that infusion of AD-blood induces substantial Ab accumulation in animals that without treatment or injected with wild type blood would barely have any detectable Ab lesion. Plaque deposition was mainly present in cortex and hippocampus, being more abundant in the former. In addition, we observed a decrease in memory in mice challenged with AD-blood. Other features such as brain inflammation and synaptic integrity were also measured. Importantly, similar results were obtained in a second and independent experiment performed in a double transgenic mouse model that develops AD plaques as early as 4 months old. Our results indicate that an AD-like pathogenesis can be induced by intravenous administration of AD-blood, presumably through induction of protein misfolding in a similar way as prion diseases. These findings may open a new avenue to understand the origin of sporadic AD and may provide new strategies for disease intervention and prevention.


http://www.prion2011.ca/files/PRION_2011_-_Posters_(May_5-11).pdf



Wednesday, June 29, 2011

TSEAC Meeting August 1, 2011 donor deferral

http://tseac.blogspot.com/2011/06/tseac-meeting-august-1-2011-donor.html




TSS

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

GENERATION ALZHEIMER'S: THE DEFINING DISEASE OF THE BABY BOOMERS

''GENERATION ALZHEIMER'S: THE DEFINING DISEASE OF THE BABY BOOMERS''




NEWS FACTS


This year, the first wave of baby boomers are turning 65 – and with increased age comes increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.



Our new report, "Generation Alzheimer's: The Defining Disease of the Baby Boomers," sheds light on a crisis that is no longer emerging – but here.


Many baby boomers will spend their retirement years either with Alzheimer's or caring for someone who has it.


An estimated 10 million baby boomers will develop Alzheimer's.


Starting this year, more than 10,000 baby boomers a day will turn 65. As these baby boomers age, one of out of eight of them will develop Alzheimer’s – a devastating, costly, heartbreaking disease. Increasingly for these baby boomers, it will no longer be their grandparents and parents who have Alzheimer’s – it will be them.


"Alzheimer’s is a tragic epidemic that has no survivors. Not a single one," said Harry Johns, president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association. "It is as much a thief as a killer. Alzheimer’s will darken the long-awaited retirement years of the one out of eight baby boomers who will develop it. Those who will care for these loved ones will witness, day by day, the progressive and relentless realities of this fatal disease. But we can still change that if we act now."



According to the new Alzheimer’s Association report, "Generation Alzheimer’s," it is expected that 10 million baby boomers will either die with or from Alzheimer’s, the only cause of death among the top 10 in America without a way to prevent, cure or even slow its progression. But, while Alzheimer’s kills, it does so only after taking everything away, slowly stripping an individual’s autonomy and independence. Even beyond the cruel impact Alzheimer’s has on the individuals with the disease, Generation Alzheimer’s also details the negative cascading effects the disease places on millions of caregivers. Caregivers and families go through the agony of losing a loved one twice: first to the ravaging effects of the disease and then, ultimately, to actual death.



"Most people survive an average of four to six years after a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, but many can live as long as 20 years with the disease. As the disease progresses, the person with dementia requires more and more assistance with everyday tasks like bathing, dressing, eating and household activities," said Beth Kallmyer, senior director of Constituent Relations for the Alzheimer’s Association. "This long duration often places increasingly intensive care demands on the nearly 15 million family members and friends who provide unpaid care, and it negatively affects their health, employment, income and financial security."



In addition to the human toll, over the next 40 years Alzheimer’s will cost the nation $20 trillion, enough to pay off the national debt and still send a $20,000 check to every man, woman and child in America. And while every 69 seconds someone in America develops Alzheimer’s disease today, by 2050 someone will develop the disease every 33 seconds - unless the federal government commits to changing the Alzheimer’s trajectory.



"Alzheimer’s – with its broad ranging impact on individuals, families, Medicare and Medicaid - has the power to bring the country to its financial knees," said Robert J. Egge, vice president of Public Policy of the Alzheimer’s Association. "But when the federal government has been focused, committed and willing to put the necessary resources to work to confront a disease that poses a real public health threat to the nation – there has been great success. In order to see the day where Alzheimer’s is no longer a death sentence, we need to see that type of commitment with Alzheimer’s." The full text of the Alzheimer’s Association’s



"Generation Alzheimer’s" report can be viewed at www.alz.org/boomers.



About The Alzheimer's Association




The Alzheimer's Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research.



Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.



DOWNLOAD



http://alz.org/adboomer/




http://alz.org/index.asp





http://alz-news.org/




Saturday, January 22, 2011

Alzheimer's, Prion, and Neurological disease, and the misdiagnosis there of, a review 2011


http://transmissiblespongiformencephalopathy.blogspot.com/2011/01/alzheimers-prion-and-neurological.html





Friday, September 3, 2010


Alzheimer's, Autism, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Parkinson's, Prionoids, Prionpathy, Prionopathy, TSE



http://betaamyloidcjd.blogspot.com/2010/09/alzheimers-autism-amyotrophic-lateral.html




Thursday, December 23, 2010

Alimentary prion infections: Touch-down in the intestine, Alzheimer, Parkinson disease and TSE mad cow diseases $ The Center for Consumer Freedom



http://betaamyloidcjd.blogspot.com/2010/12/alimentary-prion-infections-touch-down.html







Saturday, March 22, 2008



10 Million Baby Boomers to have Alzheimer's in the coming decades

snip...

Alzheimer’s disease is the seventh leading cause of all deaths in the United States and the fifth leading cause of death in Americans older than the age of 65 years. More than 5 million Americans are estimated to have Alzheimer’s disease. Every 71 seconds someone in America develops Alzheimer’s disease; by 2050 it is expected to occur every 33 seconds. During the coming decades, baby boomers are projected to add 10 million people to these numbers. By 2050, the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease is expected to approach nearly a million people per year, with a total estimated prevalence of 11 to 16 million persons. Significant cost implications related to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias include an estimated $148 billion annually in direct (Medicare/Medicaid) and indirect (eg, caregiver lost wages and out-of-pocket expenses, decreased business productivity) costs. Not included in these figures are the estimated 10 million caregivers who annually provide $89 billion in unpaid services to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.

snip...



http://www.alzheimersanddementia.org/webfiles/images/journals/jalz/JALZ_739.pdf





see full text and more ;



http://betaamyloidcjd.blogspot.com/2008/03/10-million-baby-boomers-to-have.html







Wednesday, January 5, 2011

ENLARGING SPECTRUM OF PRION-LIKE DISEASES Prusiner Colby et al 2011

Prions

David W. Colby1,* and Stanley B. Prusiner1,2

----- Original Message -----

From: David Colby

To: flounder9@verizon.net

Cc: stanley@XXXXXXXX

Sent: Tuesday, March 01, 2011 8:25 AM

Subject: Re: FW: re-Prions David W. Colby1,* and Stanley B. Prusiner1,2 + Author Affiliations

Dear Terry Singeltary,

Thank you for your correspondence regarding the review article Stanley Prusiner and I recently wrote for Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives. Dr. Prusiner asked that I reply to your message due to his busy schedule. We agree that the transmission of CWD prions to beef livestock would be a troubling development and assessing that risk is important. In our article, we cite a peer-reviewed publication reporting confirmed cases of laboratory transmission based on stringent criteria. The less stringent criteria for transmission described in the abstract you refer to lead to the discrepancy between your numbers and ours and thus the interpretation of the transmission rate. We stand by our assessment of the literature--namely that the transmission rate of CWD to bovines appears relatively low, but we recognize that even a low transmission rate could have important implications for public health and we thank you for bringing attention to this matter.

Warm Regards, David Colby

--

David Colby, PhDAssistant ProfessorDepartment of Chemical EngineeringUniversity of Delaware



====================END...TSS==============



re-ENLARGING SPECTRUM OF PRION-LIKE DISEASES Prusiner Colby et al 2011 Prions

CWD to cattle figures CORRECTION

Greetings,

I believe the statement and quote below is incorrect ;

"CWD has been transmitted to cattle after intracerebral inoculation, although the infection rate was low (4 of 13 animals [Hamir et al. 2001]). This finding raised concerns that CWD prions might be transmitted to cattle grazing in contaminated pastures."

Please see ;

Within 26 months post inoculation, 12 inoculated animals had lost weight, revealed abnormal clinical signs, and were euthanatized. Laboratory tests revealed the presence of a unique pattern of the disease agent in tissues of these animals. These findings demonstrate that when CWD is directly inoculated into the brain of cattle, 86% of inoculated cattle develop clinical signs of the disease.

http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.htm?seq_no_115=194089





"although the infection rate was low (4 of 13 animals [Hamir et al. 2001])."



shouldn't this be corrected, 86% is NOT a low rate. ...



kindest regards,



Terry S. Singeltary Sr. P.O. Box 42 Bacliff, Texas USA 77518



Thank you!

Thanks so much for your updates/comments. We intend to publish as rapidly as possible all updates/comments that contribute substantially to the topic under discussion.

http://cshperspectives.cshlp.org/letters/submit

re-Prions David W. Colby1,* and Stanley B. Prusiner1,2 + Author Affiliations

1Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143 2Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143 Correspondence: stanley@ind.ucsf.edu



http://cshperspectives.cshlp.org/content/3/1/a006833.full.pdf+html





snip...full text ;



Wednesday, January 5, 2011

ENLARGING SPECTRUM OF PRION-LIKE DISEASES Prusiner Colby et al 2011 Prions

David W. Colby1,* and Stanley B. Prusiner1,2



http://cshperspectives.cshlp.org/content/3/1/a006833.full.pdf+html





http://betaamyloidcjd.blogspot.com/2011/01/enlarging-spectrum-of-prion-like.html







what is Alzheimer's anyway ?




for your info ;



CJD1/9 0185

Ref: 1M51A

IN STRICT CONFIDENCE

Dr McGovern From: Dr A Wight

Date: 5 January 1993

Copies: Dr Metters

Dr Skinner

Dr Pickles

Dr Morris

Mr Murray


TRANSMISSION OF ALZHEIMER-TYPE PLAQUES TO PRIMATES


1. CMO will wish to be aware that a meeting was held at DH yesterday, 4 January, to discuss the above findings. It was chaired by Professor Murray (Chairman of the MRC Co-ordinating Committee on Research in the Spongiform Encephalopathies in Man), and attended by relevant experts in the fields of Neurology, Neuropathology, molecular biology, amyloid biochemistry, and the spongiform encephalopathies, and by representatives of the MRC and AFRC.


2. Briefly, the meeting agreed that:


i) Dr Ridley et als findings of experimental induction of p amyloid in primates were valid, interesting and a significant advance in the understanding of neurodegenerative disorders;


ii) there were no immediate implications for the public health, and no further safeguards were thought to be necessary at present; and


iii) additional research was desirable, both epidemiological and at the molecular level. Possible avenues are being followed up by DH and the MRC, but the details will require further discussion.



93/01.05/4.1tss



http://collections.europarchive.org/tna/20080102191246/http://www.bseinquiry.gov.uk/files/yb/1993/01/05004001.pdf





BSE101/1 0136

IN CONFIDENCE

5 NOV 1992

CMO From: Dr J S Metters DCMO 4 November 1992


TRANSMISSION OF ALZHEIMER TYPE PLAQUES TO PRIMATES


1. Thank you for showing me Diana Dunstan's letter. I am glad that MRC have recognized the public sensitivity of these findings and intend to report them in their proper context. This hopefully will avoid misunderstanding and possible distortion by the media to portray the results as having more greater significance than the findings so far justify.


2. Using a highly unusual route of transmission (intra-cerebral injection) the researchers have demonstrated the transmission of a pathological process from two cases one of severe Alzheimer's disease the other of Gerstmann-Straussler disease to marmosets. However they have not demonstrated the transmission of either clinical condition as the "animals were behaving normally when killed'. As the report emphasizes the unanswered question is whether the disease condition would have revealed itself if the marmosets had lived longer. They are planning further research to see if the conditions, as opposed to the partial pathological process, is transmissible.


What are the implications for public health?


3. . The route of transmission is very specific and in the natural state of things highly unusual. However it could be argued that the results reveal a potential risk, in that brain tissue from these two patients has been shown to transmit a pathological process. Should therefore brain tissue from such cases be regarded as potentially infective? Pathologists, morticians, neuro surgeons and those assisting at neuro surgical procedures and others coming into contact with "raw" human brain tissue could in theory be at risk. However, on a priori grounds given the highly specific route of transmission in these experiments that risk must be negligible if the usual precautions for handling brain tissue are observed.


92/11.4/1-1


BSE101/1 0137


4. The other dimension to consider is the public reaction. To some extent the GSS case demonstrates little more than the transmission of BSE to a pig by intra-cerebral injection. If other prion diseases can be transmitted in this way it is little surprise that some pathological findings observed in GSS were also transmissible to a marmoset. But the transmission of features of Alzheimer's pathology is a different matter, given the much greater frequency of this disease and raises the unanswered question whether some cases are the result of a transmissible prion. The only tenable public line will be that "more research is required" before that hypothesis could be evaluated. The possibility on a transmissible prion remains open. In the meantime MRC needs carefully to consider the range and sequence of studies needed to follow through from the preliminary observations in these two cases. Not a particularly comfortable message, but until we know more about the causation of Alzheimer's disease the total reassurance is not practical.


JS METTERS Room 509 Richmond House Pager No: 081-884 3344 Callsign: DOH 832


121/YdeStss


92/11.4/1.2




http://collections.europarchive.org/tna/20080102232842/http://www.bseinquiry.gov.uk/files/yb/1992/11/04001001.pdf



http://betaamyloidcjd.blogspot.com/





Wednesday, March 9, 2011

27 U.S. Senators want to force feed Japan Highly Potential North America Mad Cow Beef TSE PRION CJD

March 8, 2011

President Barack Obama The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, W Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Obama:



http://transmissiblespongiformencephalopathy.blogspot.com/2011/03/27-us-senators-want-to-force-feed-japan.html





Saturday, March 5, 2011

MAD COW ATYPICAL CJD PRION TSE CASES WITH CLASSIFICATIONS PENDING ON THE RISE IN NORTH AMERICA



http://transmissiblespongiformencephalopathy.blogspot.com/2011/03/mad-cow-atypical-cjd-prion-tse-cases.html





Tuesday, April 26, 2011

sporadic CJD RISING Text and figures of the latest annual report of the NCJDRSU covering the period 1990-2009 (published 11th March 2011)



http://creutzfeldt-jakob-disease.blogspot.com/2011/04/sporadic-cjd-rising-text-and-figures-of.html





Tuesday, March 29, 2011

TRANSMISSIBLE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY EXPOSURE SPREADING VIA HOSPITALS AND SURGICAL PROCEDURES AROUND THE GLOBE



http://transmissiblespongiformencephalopathy.blogspot.com/2011/03/transmissible-spongiform-encephalopathy.html





"which includes the elimination of Prion activities ($5,473,000)"



All Other Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases CDC's FY 2012 request of $52,658,000 for all other emerging and zoonotic infectious disease activities is a decrease of $13,607,000 below the FY 2010 level, which includes the elimination of Prion activities ($5,473,000), a reduction for other cross-cutting infectious disease activities, and administrative savings. These funds support a range of critical emerging and zoonotic infectious disease programs such Lyme Disease, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Special Pathogens, as well as other activities described below.



http://www.cdc.gov/fmo/topic/Budget%20Information/appropriations_budget_form_pdf/FY2012_CDC_CJ_Final.pdf







Terry S. Singeltary Sr. P.O. Box 42 Bacliff, Texas USA 77518

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

ENLARGING SPECTRUM OF PRION-LIKE DISEASES Prusiner Colby et al 2011

Prions

David W. Colby1,* and Stanley B. Prusiner1,2

+ Author Affiliations

1Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143 2Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143 Correspondence: stanley@ind.ucsf.edu


Abstract


The discovery of infectious proteins, denoted prions, was unexpected. After much debate over the chemical basis of heredity, resolution of this issue began with the discovery that DNA, not protein, from pneumococcus was capable of genetically transforming bacteria ( Avery et al. 1944). Four decades later, the discovery that a protein could mimic viral and bacterial pathogens with respect to the transmission of some nervous system diseases ( Prusiner 1982) met with great resistance. Overwhelming evidence now shows that Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD) and related disorders are caused by prions. The prion diseases are characterized by neurodegeneration and lethality. In mammals, prions reproduce by recruiting the normal, cellular isoform of the prion protein (PrPC) and stimulating its conversion into the disease-causing isoform (PrPSc). PrPC and PrPSc have distinct conformations: PrPC is rich in a-helical content and has little ß-sheet structure, whereas PrPSc has less a-helical content and is rich in ß-sheet structure ( Pan et al. 1993). The conformational conversion of PrPC to PrPSc is the fundamental event underlying prion diseases. In this article, we provide an introduction to prions and the diseases they cause.


snip...


HUMAN PRION DISEASES


Prion diseases occur as sporadic, genetic, and transmissible disease in humans (Table 1). Although infectious forms of prion disease are most well known to the general public, sporadic and heritable forms of the disease occur much more frequently in humans, with sporadic (s) CJD accounting for approximately 85% of cases. sCJD has no known cause although spontaneous misfolding of PrPC into PrPSc is a leading hypothesis (Prusiner 1989; Hsiao et al. 1991a). Alternate hypotheses include somatic mutation of PRNP, undetected horizontal transmission (Gajdusek 1977), and infrequent amplification of low levels of PrPSc that are part of “normal” protein homeostasis. The brains of sCJD patients harbor infectious prions that are transmissible to experimental animals (Gibbs et al. 1968; Brown et al. 1994). In humans, virtually all forms of prion disease feature neuropathological changes including vacuolation (resulting in the spongiform appearance of brain tissue), astrocytic gliosis, and PrP deposition. The morphology of vacuoles and PrP deposits varies depending on the prion strain and host, as do the regions of the brain affected.


Prion diseases in humans and animals.


To date, over 40 different mutations of the PrP gene have been shown to segregate with the heritable human prion diseases (Fig. 2). The resulting diseases have been classified as Gerstmann–Sträussler–Scheinker syndrome (GSS), familial (f) CJD, or fatal familial insomnia (FFI) according to the clinical symptoms, although all result from PRNP mutations. At the time when the discoveries were reported that fCJD and GSS could be transmitted to apes and monkeys, many still thought that scrapie, CJD, and related disorders were caused by slow viruses (Roos et al. 1973; Masters et al. 1981). Only the discovery that a proline-to-leucine mutation at codon 102 of the human PrP gene was genetically linked to some GSS pedigrees permitted the unprecedented conclusion that prion disease can have both genetic and infectious etiologies (Hsiao et al. 1989; Prusiner 1989). This mutation has been found in unrelated families from several countries (Doh-ura et al. 1989; Goldgaber et al. 1989; Kretzschmar et al. 1991), and other mutations causing GSS have since been identified (Dlouhy et al. 1992; Petersen et al. 1992; Poulter et al. 1992; Rosenmann et al. 1998).


Likewise, several different mutations have also been discovered to cause fCJD. A repeat expansion in the amino-terminal region of PrP, which in the healthy population contains five repetitive sequences of eight residues each (octarepeats), has been genetically linked to fCJD. Insertions of two to nine additional octarepeats have been found in individuals within fCJD pedigrees (Owen et al. 1989; Goldfarb et al. 1991a). Molecular genetic investigations have revealed that Libyan and Tunisian Jews with fCJD have a PrP gene point mutation at codon 200, resulting in a glutamic acid-to-lysine substitution (Goldfarb et al. 1990a; Hsiao et al. 1991b), a mutation that has since been identified in fCJD pedigrees in many locations (Goldfarb et al. 1990a; Goldfarb et al. 1990b; Bertoni et al. 1992).


The D178N mutation can cause either fCJD or FFI, depending on the polymorphism present at codon 129, where both methionine and valine are commonly found. D178N coupled with V129 produces fCJD, in which patients present with dementia and widespread deposition of PrPSc (Goldfarb et al. 1991c). If the disease mutation is coupled with M129, however, FFI results and patients present with a progressive sleep disorder that is ultimately fatal. Postmortem analysis of FFI brains revealed deposition of PrPSc confined largely to specific regions of the thalamus (Lugaresi et al. 1986; Gambetti et al. 1995).


Infectious forms of prion diseases include kuru, iatrogenic (i) CJD, and variant (v) CJD. Kuru in the highlands of New Guinea was transmitted by ritualistic cannibalism, as people in the region ate the brains of their dead relatives in an attempt to immortalize them (Glasse 1967; Alpers 1968; Gajdusek 1977). Iatrogenic transmissions include prion-tainted human growth hormone and gonadotropin, dura mater grafts, and transplants of corneas obtained from people who died of CJD (Koch et al. 1985; PHS 1997). In addition, CJD cases have been recorded after neurosurgical procedures in which ineffectively sterilized depth electrodes or instruments were used.


More than 200 teenagers and young adults have died of vCJD, mostly in Britain (Spencer et al. 2002; Will 2003). Both epidemiologic and experimental studies have built a convincing case that vCJD resulted from prions being transmitted from cattle with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, or “mad cow” disease) to humans through consumption of contaminated beef products (Chazot et al. 1996; Will et al. 1996; Cousens et al. 1997). Until recently, all of the vCJD-affected individuals were identified to express methionine homozygously at codon 129. A single case of vCJD in a patient heterozygous at codon 129 has been reported, raising the possibility of a second wave of “mad cow”–related deaths (Kaski et al. 2009).


PRION DISEASES OF ANIMALS


Prion diseases occur naturally in many mammals, including scrapie of sheep and goats, BSE, transmissible mink encephalopathy (TME), chronic wasting disease (CWD) of mule deer and elk, feline spongiform encephalopathy, and exotic ungulate encephalopathy (Table 1). Unlike in humans, prion diseases in animals mainly occur as infectious disorders. As in humans, prion disease in animals is characterized by neuropathologic changes, including vacuolation, astrocytic gliosis, and PrP deposition.


Scrapie of sheep has been documented in Europe for hundreds of years. Despite efforts attempting to link scrapie to CJD, no evidence exists to establish a relationship (Chatelain et al. 1981). Polymorphisms in sheep PrP modulate susceptibility to scrapie, rendering some breeds more resistant to infection than others (Goldmann et al. 1991). As scrapie prions can persist in soil for years (Palsson 1979; Brown and Gajdusek 1991), selective breeding programs may be the most effective means to eradicate scrapie. In part because scrapie is not infectious for humans, hamster- and mouse-adapted scrapie strains, such as Sc237 and RML, are important laboratory tools for studying prions.


During the BSE epidemic in Britain, it was estimated that nearly one million cattle were infected with prions (Anderson et al. 1996; Nathanson et al. 1997). The mean incubation time for BSE is approximately 5 years. Most cattle were slaughtered between 2 and 3 years of age, and therefore, in a presymptomatic phase of infection (Stekel et al. 1996). BSE is a massive common-source epidemic caused by meat and bone meal (MBM) fed primarily to dairy cows (Wilesmith et al. 1991; Nathanson et al. 1997). MBM was prepared from the offal of sheep, cattle, pigs, and chickens as a high-protein nutritional supplement. In the late 1970s, the hydrocarbon-solvent extraction method used in the rendering of offal began to be abandoned, resulting in MBM with a much higher fat content (Wilesmith et al. 1991; Muller et al. 2007). It is now thought that this change allowed scrapie prions from sheep or low levels of bovine prions generated sporadically to survive the rendering process, resulting in the widespread infection of cattle. Changes in the methods used for feeding cattle have since eliminated the epidemic, although sporadic BSE cases arise occasionally.


Mule deer, white-tailed deer, and elk have been reported to develop CWD. As the only prion disease identified in free-ranging animals, CWD appears to be far more communicable than other forms of prion disease. CWD was first described in 1967 and was reported to be a spongiform encephalopathy in 1978 on the basis of histopathology of the brain. Originally detected in the American West, CWD has spread across much of North America and has been reported also in South Korea. In captive populations, up to 90% of mule deer have been reported to be positive for prions (Williams and Young 1980). The incidence of CWD in cervids living in the wild has been estimated to be as high as 15% (Miller et al. 2000). The development of transgenic (Tg) mice expressing cervid PrP, and thus susceptible to CWD, has enhanced detection of CWD and the estimation of prion titers (Browning et al. 2004; Tamgüney et al. 2006). Shedding of prions in the feces, even in presymptomatic deer, has been identified as a likely source of infection for these grazing animals (Williams and Miller 2002; Tamgüney et al. 2009b). CWD has been transmitted to cattle after intracerebral inoculation, although the infection rate was low (4 of 13 animals [Hamir et al. 2001]). This finding raised concerns that CWD prions might be transmitted to cattle grazing in contaminated pastures.


snip...


PRION STRAINS


Naturally occurring prion strains have been isolated, each with a distinct incubation period and characteristic pathology; these traits are often conserved on serial transmission (Dickinson and Meikle 1969; Fraser and Dickinson 1973). Because prions are composed only of protein and replicate using the PrP substrate present in the host, differences in prion strains cannot be attributed to genetic variability, which accounts for the existence of viral strains. Rather, prion strains arise from conformational variability—that is, PrP can assume several different, self-propagating conformations, each of which enciphers a distinct prion strain. Biochemical evidence (Bessen and Marsh 1994; Collinge et al. 1996; Telling et al. 1996; Peretz et al. 2001a) and recent studies with synthetic prions support this theory (Colby et al. 2009).


Studies with synthetic prions showed that the mouse synthetic prion (MoSP) strain 1 gradually adopted properties associated with naturally occurring prion strains such as RML, including short incubation times and low conformational stabilities (Ghaemmaghami et al., in prep.). These changes were accompanied by a structural transformation, as indicated by a shift in the molecular mass of the protease-resistant core of MoSP1 from approximately 19 kDa [MoSP1(2)] to 21 kDa [MoSP1(1)]. We found that MoSP1(1) and MoSP1(2) could be bred with fidelity when cloned in N2a cells but when present as a mixture, MoSP1(1) propagation led to the disappearance of MoSP1(2). In culture, the rate of this transformation could be modified by the culture media and the presence of polyamidoamines. These findings showed that prions exist as conformationally diverse populations and each strain can replicate with high fidelity. Competition and selection among the pool of strains provide a mechanism for prion transformation and adaptation (Li et al. 2010).


Yeast also show multiple prion strains. A recombinant Sup35 protein fragment refolded into two different conformations was shown to initiate two distinct [PSI+] strain phenotypes on transduction into yeast (King and Diaz-Avalos 2004; Tanaka et al. 2004). The propagation rates for these synthetic yeast prion strains were coupled to their conformational stability (Tanaka et al. 2004), a finding that was later extended to mammalian prion strains (Legname et al. 2006; Colby et al. 2009).


ENLARGING SPECTRUM OF PRION-LIKE DISEASES


The discovery that prions form amyloid prompted one of us to suggest that the common neurodegenerative diseases are also caused by prions (Prusiner 1984; Prusiner 2001) despite the inability to transmit such illnesses to monkeys and apes (Goudsmit et al. 1980). Brain extracts from either Alzheimer's patients or aged Tg mice expressing mutant APP injected into the brains of Tg mice expressing the amyloid precursor protein (APP) carrying the Swedish point mutation (Haass et al. 1995) accelerated the formation of Aß amyloid plaques (Meyer-Luehmann et al. 2006; Eisele et al. 2009). Brain extracts from Tg mice expressing mutant tau injected into the brains of Tg mice expressing human wt tau produced aggregates of human tau (Clavaguera et al. 2009). Similar results were found for aggregated tau protein added to cultured cells, which induced the aggregation of nascent tau (Frost et al. 2009). These findings suggest that the tauopathies result from a prion-like process that induces hyperphosphorylation of tau followed by polymerization into filamentous aggregates. The production of hyperphosphorylated tau also appears to be stimulated by oligomers of the Aß peptide, whereas amyloid fibrils comprised of Aß are a much less efficient stimulus (Lambert et al. 1998). An expanded 44-mer polyglutamine repeat of a truncated huntingtin protein was found to stimulate aggregation of a “normal” 25 mer; this aggregated state could be maintained in cell culture over many generations, arguing for prion-like propagation of huntingtin aggregates (Ren et al. 2009). Patients suffering from Parkinson's disease who received fetal grafts of substantia nigral cells later showed aberrantly folded a-synuclein in Lewy bodies within the transplanted grafts, arguing that a-synuclein acted like a prion (Kordower et al. 2008; Li et al. 2008; Olanow and Prusiner 2009). Taken together, these findings argue that prion-like, self-propagating states feature in many different, if not all, neurodegenerative diseases.


A general model of propagation of mammalian prion-like conformational states should include the following considerations (Table 2): First, when the precursor protein is converted to a prion, it undergoes posttranslational modification. Such changes generally result in the acquisition of a high ß-sheet content. Proteolytic cleavage features in Alzheimer's disease (AD) (Glenner and Wong 1984; Masters et al. 1985) and hyperphosphorylation occurs in both AD and the tauopathies (Grundke-Iqbal et al. 1986; Lee et al. 1991). Second, the ß-sheet–rich conformers form oligomers that are toxic to cells (Walsh and Selkoe 2007). Third, such oligomers are generally rendered less toxic when they polymerize into amyloid fibrils. Fourth, amyloid fibrils are sequestered into biological wastebaskets in the CNS where they are designated “plaques” in the extracellular space, and “tangles” or “bodies” within the cytoplasm of neurons. Inert PrP amyloid fibrils coalesce to form plaques in prion diseases whereas fibrils composed of the Aß peptide form plaques in AD. Paired-helical filaments composed of hyperphosphorylated tau form neurofibrillary tangles in AD, whereas tau fibrils coalesce into deposits called Pick bodies in one of the frontotemporal dementias generally labeled Pick's disease. In other tauopathies, less well-formed tau aggregates have been identified inside cells. After a-synuclein acquires a high ß-sheet content, it polymerizes into amyloid fibrils that coalesce in neurons to form Lewy bodies. Fifth, mutations in the corresponding proteins cause familial neurodegenerative diseases and facilitate conversion of the protein to its prion state. For example, over 40 mutations in PrP have been identified that cause GGS, fCJD, and FFI (Hsiao et al. 1989; Goldfarb et al. 1991b; Medori et al. 1992). Mutations in APP or presenilin (?-secretase) that cleaves APP into Aß cause familial AD (Goate et al. 1991), and duplication of the APP gene in Down's syndrome invariably causes AD (Goldgaber et al. 1987). Mutations in tau cause tauopathies (Hutton et al. 1998). Mutations in a-synuclein cause familial Parkinson's disease (Polymeropoulos et al. 1997); duplication or triplication of the a-synuclein gene also causes Parkinson's disease (Singleton et al. 2003).


Prions need not cause disease but may function as regulators of cell metabolism. In yeast, all of the prion proteins found to date have a CG-rich domain that adopts a ß-sheet–rich conformation that polymerizes into amyloid. The Sup35 protein in the prion state causes a reduction in the fidelity of polypeptide chain termination during protein synthesis (Wickner et al. 2007). The Aplysia prion comprised of the cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding (CPEB) protein appears to facilitate polyadenylation within limited regions of neuronal cells, such as dendrites, and has been suggested to function in long-term memory (Si et al. 2010).


snip...


TOWARD THERAPEUTICS FOR PRION DISEASES


Despite these advances in understanding prions and many of the neurodegenerative diseases, no treatment is currently available to halt the progression of any of these illnesses. Studies of prions in mice have elucidated several aspects of neurodegeneration that may prove useful in developing effective therapeutics. First, reduction of the precursor protein PrPC prolongs the incubation time (Büeler et al. 1993; Prusiner et al. 1993; Safar et al. 2005). Second, slowing prion formation by inhibiting of the formation of nascent PrPSc prolongs the incubation time (Kawasaki et al. 2007). Third, reducing the availability of PrPC in cells or mice where prion infection has already been established allows for existing prions to be cleared (Enari et al. 2001; Peretz et al. 2001b; Safar et al. 2005). Fourth, enhancing the clearance of PrPSc provides an alternative route of action for therapeutic intervention (Supattapone et al. 1999b; Supattapone et al. 2001).


Blocking conversion of PrPC to PrPSc would seem to be the most practical therapeutic approach, as the cellular pathogenesis of prion disease is downstream of this event and not well understood. Many compounds that inhibit conversion have been identified, including polysulfated anions, dextrans, Congo red dye, oligonucleotides, and cyclic tetrapyrroles (for reviews, see Trevitt and Collinge [2006]; Sim and Caughey [2009]; Silber [2010]). Effective treatment for prion disease is hampered by the difficulty of these and other putative therapeutics to access the CNS, and by the difficulty of identifying small molecules that can prevent the protein–protein interactions that result in propagation of alternatively folded protein isoforms. Studies with a phenylhydrazone revealed restricted efficacy for specific prion strains (Kawasaki et al. 2007) whereas studies with the drug quinacrine revealed the development of drug-resistant prions (Ghaemmaghami et al. 2009).


It seems likely that studies on therapeutics for prion diseases will inform the development of drugs that halt AD, the frontotemporal dementias, or Parkinson's disease; moreover, the lack of success in treating such diseases argues for new paradigms. Work on the prion diseases suggests that treatment for a limited time that reduces or interrupts the formation of nascent prions may be sufficient for the normal cellular clearance mechanisms to overtake the synthesis of new prions. Such an approach would argue for the development of drugs that can be administered for a short period of time instead of many years, which is the commonly held supposition.


snip...please see full text here ;



http://cshperspectives.cshlp.org/content/3/1/a006833.full.html#ref-24




CWD to cattle figures CORRECTION


Greetings,


I believe the statement and quote below is incorrect ;



"CWD has been transmitted to cattle after intracerebral inoculation, although the infection rate was low (4 of 13 animals [Hamir et al. 2001]). This finding raised concerns that CWD prions might be transmitted to cattle grazing in contaminated pastures."



Please see ;




Within 26 months post inoculation, 12 inoculated animals had lost weight, revealed abnormal clinical signs, and were euthanatized. Laboratory tests revealed the presence of a unique pattern of the disease agent in tissues of these animals. These findings demonstrate that when CWD is directly inoculated into the brain of cattle, 86% of inoculated cattle develop clinical signs of the disease.



http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.htm?seq_no_115=194089





" although the infection rate was low (4 of 13 animals [Hamir et al. 2001]). "




shouldn't this be corrected, 86% is NOT a low rate. ...




kindest regards,


Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
P.O. Box 42
Bacliff, Texas USA 77518




Thank you!

Thanks so much for your updates/comments. We intend to publish as rapidly as possible all updates/comments that contribute substantially to the topic under discussion.



http://cshperspectives.cshlp.org/letters/submit




re-Prions David W. Colby1,* and Stanley B. Prusiner1,2 + Author Affiliations

1Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143 2Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143 Correspondence: stanley@ind.ucsf.edu


http://cshperspectives.cshlp.org/content/3/1/a006833.full.pdf+html




Mule deer, white-tailed deer, and elk have been reported to develop CWD. As the only prion disease identified in free-ranging animals, CWD appears to be far more communicable than other forms of prion disease. CWD was first described in 1967 and was reported to be a spongiform encephalopathy in 1978 on the basis of histopathology of the brain. Originally detected in the American West, CWD has spread across much of North America and has been reported also in South Korea. In captive populations, up to 90% of mule deer have been reported to be positive for prions (Williams and Young 1980). The incidence of CWD in cervids living in the wild has been estimated to be as high as 15% (Miller et al. 2000). The development of transgenic (Tg) mice expressing cervid PrP, and thus susceptible to CWD, has enhanced detection of CWD and the estimation of prion titers (Browning et al. 2004; Tamgüney et al. 2006). Shedding of prions in the feces, even in presymptomatic deer, has been identified as a likely source of infection for these grazing animals (Williams and Miller 2002; Tamgüney et al. 2009b). CWD has been transmitted to cattle after intracerebral inoculation, although the infection rate was low (4 of 13 animals [Hamir et al. 2001]). This finding raised concerns that CWD prions might be transmitted to cattle grazing in contaminated pastures.


snip...


http://cshperspectives.cshlp.org/content/3/1/a006833.full.pdf+html




please see CWD potential to humans here ;


http://betaamyloidcjd.blogspot.com/2011/01/enlarging-spectrum-of-prion-like.html




Greetings,


I believe the statement and quote below is incorrect ;



"CWD has been transmitted to cattle after intracerebral inoculation, although the infection rate was low (4 of 13 animals [Hamir et al. 2001]). This finding raised concerns that CWD prions might be transmitted to cattle grazing in contaminated pastures."



Please see ;




Within 26 months post inoculation, 12 inoculated animals had lost weight, revealed abnormal clinical signs, and were euthanatized. Laboratory tests revealed the presence of a unique pattern of the disease agent in tissues of these animals. These findings demonstrate that when CWD is directly inoculated into the brain of cattle, 86% of inoculated cattle develop clinical signs of the disease.



http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.htm?seq_no_115=194089




"although the infection rate was low (4 of 13 animals [Hamir et al. 2001])."



shouldn't this be corrected, 86% is NOT a low rate. ...




kindest regards,

Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
P.O. Box 42
Bacliff, Texas USA 77518



MARCH 1, 2011

UPDATED CORRESPONDENCE FROM AUTHORS OF THIS STUDY I.E. COLBY, PRUSINER ET AL, ABOUT MY CONCERNS OF THE DISCREPANCY BETWEEN THEIR FIGURES AND MY FIGURES OF THE STUDIES ON CWD TRANSMISSION TO CATTLE ;



----- Original Message -----

From: David Colby

To: flounder9@verizon.net

Cc: stanley@XXXXXXXX

Sent: Tuesday, March 01, 2011 8:25 AM

Subject: Re: FW: re-Prions David W. Colby1,* and Stanley B. Prusiner1,2 + Author Affiliations



Dear Terry Singeltary,

Thank you for your correspondence regarding the review article Stanley Prusiner and I recently wrote for Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives. Dr. Prusiner asked that I reply to your message due to his busy schedule. We agree that the transmission of CWD prions to beef livestock would be a troubling development and assessing that risk is important. In our article, we cite a peer-reviewed publication reporting confirmed cases of laboratory transmission based on stringent criteria. The less stringent criteria for transmission described in the abstract you refer to lead to the discrepancy between your numbers and ours and thus the interpretation of the transmission rate. We stand by our assessment of the literature--namely that the transmission rate of CWD to bovines appears relatively low, but we recognize that even a low transmission rate could have important implications for public health and we thank you for bringing attention to this matter.

Warm Regards,
David Colby

--

David Colby, PhDAssistant ProfessorDepartment of Chemical EngineeringUniversity of Delaware



====================END...TSS==============




re-ENLARGING SPECTRUM OF PRION-LIKE DISEASES Prusiner Colby et al 2011 Prions




CWD to cattle figures CORRECTION


Greetings,


I believe the statement and quote below is incorrect ;



"CWD has been transmitted to cattle after intracerebral inoculation, although the infection rate was low (4 of 13 animals [Hamir et al. 2001]). This finding raised concerns that CWD prions might be transmitted to cattle grazing in contaminated pastures."



Please see ;




Within 26 months post inoculation, 12 inoculated animals had lost weight, revealed abnormal clinical signs, and were euthanatized. Laboratory tests revealed the presence of a unique pattern of the disease agent in tissues of these animals. These findings demonstrate that when CWD is directly inoculated into the brain of cattle, 86% of inoculated cattle develop clinical signs of the disease.



http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.htm?seq_no_115=194089



"although the infection rate was low (4 of 13 animals [Hamir et al. 2001])."



shouldn't this be corrected, 86% is NOT a low rate. ...




kindest regards,

Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
P.O. Box 42
Bacliff, Texas USA 77518




Thank you!

Thanks so much for your updates/comments. We intend to publish as rapidly as possible all updates/comments that contribute substantially to the topic under discussion.



http://cshperspectives.cshlp.org/letters/submit





re-Prions David W. Colby1,* and Stanley B. Prusiner1,2 + Author Affiliations

1Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143 2Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143 Correspondence: stanley@ind.ucsf.edu


http://cshperspectives.cshlp.org/content/3/1/a006833.full.pdf+html





snip...full text ;





Wednesday, January 5, 2011

ENLARGING SPECTRUM OF PRION-LIKE DISEASES Prusiner Colby et al 2011 Prions

David W. Colby1,* and Stanley B. Prusiner1,2



http://cshperspectives.cshlp.org/content/3/1/a006833.full.html#ref-24





-------- Original Message --------


Subject: Re: CWD TO CATTLE by inoculation (ok,is it three or four OR NOW FIVE???)

Date: Mon, 23 Jun 2003 12:36:59 -0500

From: "Janice M. Miller"

Reply-To: Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy

To: BSE-L@uni-karlsruhe.de

######## Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy #########

I am happy to provide an update on the experimental inoculation of cattle and sheep with CWD. These are ongoing experiments and updates are normally provided via presentations at meetings. Dr. Hamir has prepared a poster of the following information that will be displayed at 4 upcoming meetings this summer and fall.

Experimental Transmission of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) to Cattle and Sheep Progress report - June 23, 2003

Experimental Transmission to Cattle

Background:

In 1997, 13 calves were inoculated intracerebrally with brain suspension from mule deer naturally affected with CWD. During the first 3 years, 3 animals were euthanized 23, 24, and 28 months after inoculation because of weight loss (2) or sudden death (1). Although microscopic examination of the brains did not show classical lesions of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE), a specific TSE marker protein, PrPres, was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and western blot. Detailed information on these animals has been published previously (A Hamir et al., J Vet Diagn Invest 13: 91-96, 2001).

Update:

During the 3rd, 4th and 6th years of observation, 7 additional animals have been euthanized due to a variety of health concerns (primarily chronic joint and foot problems). IHC and western blot results indicate that 2 of these animals, necropsied 59 and 63 months after inoculation, were positive for PrPres. One animal (# 1746) had not been eating well for approximately 1 week prior to being found recumbent. At necropsy, significant gross lesions consisted of an oblique fracture of L1 vertebral arch with extension into the body, and moderate multifocal hemorrhagic ulceration in the abomasum. Microscopic examination of brain revealed a few isolated neurons with single or multiple vacuoles, but neither neuronal degeneration nor gliosis was observed. IHC revealed the presence of PrPres in sections from several areas of the brain. The other PrPres positive animal (#1742) was euthanized after being found in lateral recumbency with a body temperature of 104.6 F. It had not shown prior clinical signs except for some decreased appetite for 2 days. Necropsy revealed only moderate hepatitis and a small renal infarct due to intravascular thrombosis.

Summary of findings on all necropsied animals to date:

Ear tag Date of Survival Disease Clinical

Histo- IHC WB

no. necropsy period course signs

pathology

__________________________________________________

1745 8/18/99 23m 2m + ± + + 1768 9/22/99 24m 3m + ± + + 1744 1/29/00 28m 3d ± - + + 1749 5/20/01 44m NA - - - - 1748 6/27/01 45m NA - - - - 1743 8/21/02 59m NA - - - - 1741 8/22/02 59m NA - - - - 1746 8/27/02 59m 7d ± ± + + 1765 11/27/02 62m 1d ± ± - - 1742 12/28/02 63m 2d ± - + +

NT = not tested; IHC = immunohistochemistry for PrPres; SAF = scrapie associated fibrils; NA = not applicable; WB = Western blot (Prionics-Check); + = lesions or antigen present; - = lesions or antigen absent; ± = signs/lesions equivocal; i/c = intracerebral; m = months; d = days.

Summary:

After 5.75 years of observation we have 5 CWD transmissions to cattle from a group of 13 inoculates. These animals, which were necropsied 23, 24, 28, 59, and 63 months after inoculation, did not show the clinical signs or histopathologic lesions typical of a TSE, but PrPres was detected in brain samples by both immunohistochemistry and western blot.

Five other animals necropsied during the 4th, 5th and 6th years of observation have not shown evidence of PrPres and the remaining 3 cattle are apparently healthy. Note that this study involved direct intracerebral inoculation of cattle with the CWD agent, which is an unnatural route of exposure. Likely, it would be more difficult to infect cattle by the oral route. Cattle have been inoculated orally at the University of Wyoming with the same inoculum used in this experiment, and 5.75 years into the study the animals remain healthy (personal communication, Dr. Beth Williams).

Experimental Transmission of CWD to sheep

Eight Suffolk sheep from the NADC scrapie-free flock were inoculated intracerebrally with the CWD brain suspension used to inoculate cattle. PRNP genotyping showed that 4 of the sheep were QQ at codon 171 and the other four were QR. Two of the QQ sheep were euthanized during the 3rd year of observation. At necropsy one of these animals had a urethral obstruction and PrPres was not detected in brain or lymphoid tissues. The other sheep, necropsied 35 months after inoculation, showed clinical signs and histopathologic lesions that were indistinguishable from scrapie. IHC tests showed typical PrPres accumulations in brain, tonsil, and some lymph nodes. The 2 remaining QQ sheep and all 4 QR sheep are apparently healthy 47 months after inoculation.

Summary:

After 4 years of observation we have 1 transmission of CWD to a 171 QQ sheep. This animal, which was necropsied 35 months after inoculation, showed clinical signs and histopathologic lesions that were indistinguishable from scrapie. Another QQ sheep that was necropsied during the 3rd year showed no evidence of prion disease and all remaining sheep (2 QQ and 4 QR) are apparently healthy.


########### http://mailhost.rz.uni-karlsruhe.de/warc/bse-l.html ############



-------- Original Message --------


Subject: Re: CWD TO CATTLE by inoculation (ok, is it three or four OR NOW FIVE???)

Date: Mon, 23 Jun 2003 09:25:27 -0500

From: "Terry S. Singeltary Sr."

Reply-To: Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy

To: BSE-L@uni-karlsruhe.de


######## Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy #########


Greetings List Members,

i hear now that a 5th cow has gone done with CWD from the studies of Amir Hamir et al. will Dr. Miller please confirm or deny this please, and possibly explain why this has not made the news, if in fact this is the case?

seems these cows infected with CWD/TSE did not display the usual BSE symptoms. i wonder how many more are out there in the field? course, we will never know unless someone starts rapid TSE/BSE testing in sufficient numbers to find...

thank you, kind regards, terry

Date: Sat, 23 Nov 2002 18:54:49 -0600

Reply-To: BSE

Sender: BSE

From: "Terry S. Singeltary Sr."

Subject: CWD TO CATTLE by inoculation (ok, is it three or four???)

1: J Vet Diagn Invest 2001 Jan;13(1):91-6

Preliminary findings on the experimental transmission of chronic wasting disease agent of mule deer to cattle.

Hamir AN, Cutlip RC, Miller JM, Williams ES, Stack MJ, Miller MW, O'Rourke KI, Chaplin MJ.

National Animal Disease Center, ARS, USDA, Ames, IA 50010, USA.

To determine the transmissibility of chronic wasting disease (CWD) to cattle and to provide information about clinical course, lesions, and suitability of currently used diagnostic procedures for detection of CWD in cattle, 13 calves were inoculated intracerebrally with brain suspension from mule deer naturally affected with CWD. Between 24 and 27 months postinoculation, 3 animals became recumbent and were euthanized.

Gross necropsies revealed emaciation in 2 animals and a large pulmonary abscess in the third. Brains were examined for protease-resistant prion protein (PrP(res)) by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting and for scrapie-associated fibrils (SAFs) by negative-stain electron microscopy. Microscopic lesions in the brain were subtle in 2 animals and absent in the third case. However, all 3 animals were positive for PrP(res) by immunohistochemistry and Western blot, and SAFs were detected in 2 of the animals. An uninoculated control animal euthanized during the same period did not have PrP(res) in its brain. These are preliminary observations from a currently in-progress experiment. Three years after the CWD challenge, the 10 remaining inoculated cattle are alive and apparently healthy. These preliminary findings demonstrate that diagnostic techniques currently used for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) surveillance would also detect CWD in cattle should it occur naturally.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/


Sat, Nov 23, 2002

Scientists unsure if CWD can jump species

By Jessica Bock Wausau Daily Herald jbock@wdhprint.com

snip...

Janice Miller, a veterinarian in charge of the experiment, said she believes previous research shows it is hard for the disease to be transmitted naturally from whitetail deer to dairy cattle. "Our study says nothing of how it could be transmitted in natural surroundings," she said.

Miller has been studying the transmission of CWD from mule deer to cattle since 1997. Since then, chronic wasting disease was transmitted to four out of 13 cattle injected with brain tissue from naturally infected mule deer, she said.

In Wyoming, Williams has been studying cattle that were given a concoction of diseased brain tissue orally, and five years into the study the animals remain healthy, Miller said. No one knows if chronic wasting disease could ever spread to another species through natural surroundings.

"Our experience is that it's pretty hard to predict," Miller said.

http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/



greetings list,

Since then, chronic wasting disease was

transmitted to four out of 13 cattle

is this a typo by the media or has another cow gone down with CWD since the preliminary findings were found?

TSS

########### http://mailhost.rz.uni-karlsruhe.de/warc/bse-l.html ############







Title: Susceptibility of cattle to first-passage intracerebral inoculation with chronic wasting disease agent from white-tailed deer

Authors

Hamir, Amirali Miller, Janice - ARS RETIRED Kunkle, Robert Hall, S - USDA, APHIS, NVSL, PL Richt, Juergen

Submitted to: Veterinary Pathology Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication

Acceptance Date: February 20, 2007

Publication Date: July 1, 2007

Citation: Hamir, A.N., Miller, J.M., Kunkle, R.A., Hall, S.M., Richt, J.A. 2007.

Susceptibility of cattle to first-passage intracerebral inoculation with chronic wasting disease agent from white-tailed deer.

Veterinary Pathology. 44:487-493.

Interpretive Summary: This study reports findings assessing susceptibility of cattle to infection following direct surgical inoculation of the transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE), chronic wasting disease (CWD, from white tailed deer) into the brain of 14 cattle. Three-month-old calves were inoculated with the CWD agent from white tailed deer. Two non-inoculated calves served as controls. Within 26 months post inoculation, 12 inoculated animals had lost weight, revealed abnormal clinical signs, and were euthanatized. Laboratory tests revealed the presence of a unique pattern of the disease agent in tissues of these animals. These findings demonstrate that when CWD is directly inoculated into the brain of cattle, 86% of inoculated cattle develop clinical signs of the disease. The findings also indicate that diagnostic techniques currently used for detection of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) would detect CWD in cattle should it ever cross the species barrier. Moreover, these findings confirm our earlier findings with CWD from mule deer, thus demonstrating a unique pattern of the CWD disease agent from deer when experimentally inoculated into cattle, further validating our ability to distinguish this form of cross-species TSE transmission from BSE in cattle.


Technical Abstract: To compare clinicopathological findings of chronic wasting disease (CWD) from white-tailed deer (CWD**wtd) with other transmissible spongiform encephalopathies [transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE), prion diseases) that have been shown to be experimentally transmissible to cattle [sheep scrapie, CWD of mule deer (CWD**md) and transmissible mink encephalopathy (TME)], 14 three-month-old calves were intracerebrally inoculated with the CWD**wtd agent. Two uninoculated calves served as controls. Within 26 months post inoculation (MPI), 12 inoculated animals had lost considerable weight and eventually became recumbent. Eleven of these had clinical signs of central nervous system (CNS) abnormality and all 12 were euthanized. Although microscopic lesions of spongiform encephalopathy (SE) were not seen in CNS tissues, PrP**res was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot (WB). These findings demonstrate that when CWD**wtd is intracerebrally inoculated in cattle, 86% of inoculated cattle develop abnormal clinical signs and amplify PrP**res in their CNS tissues without evidence of morphologic lesions of SE. The latter has also been shown with other TSE agents (scrapie and CWD**md) similarly inoculated into cattle. These findings suggest that the diagnostic techniques currently used for confirmation of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) would detect CWD**wtd in cattle should it occur naturally. The absence of microscopic morphologic lesions and a unique IHC pattern of CWD**wtd in cattle, suggests that it should be possible to distinguish this form of cross-species transmission from BSE in cattle.



http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.htm?seq_no_115=194089




TSS





***

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Alimentary prion infections: Touch-down in the intestine, Alzheimer, Parkinson disease and TSE mad cow diseases $ The Center for Consumer Freedom


http://betaamyloidcjd.blogspot.com/2010/12/alimentary-prion-infections-touch-down.html



BSE101/1 0136

IN CONFIDENCE

CMO

From: Dr J S Metters DCMO

4 November 1992

TRANSMISSION OF ALZHEIMER TYPE PLAQUES TO PRIMATES

http://collections.europarchive.org/tna/20081106170650/http://www.bseinquiry.gov.uk/files/yb/1992/11/04001001.pdf



CJD1/9 0185

Ref: 1M51A

IN STRICT CONFIDENCE

From: Dr. A Wight

Date: 5 January 1993

Copies:

Dr Metters

Dr Skinner

Dr Pickles

Dr Morris

Mr Murray

TRANSMISSION OF ALZHEIMER-TYPE PLAQUES TO PRIMATES

http://collections.europarchive.org/tna/20080102191246/http://www.bseinquiry.gov.uk/files/yb/1993/01/05004001.pdf



Friday, September 3, 2010

Alzheimer's, Autism, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Parkinson's, Prionoids, Prionpathy, Prionopathy, TSE


http://betaamyloidcjd.blogspot.com/2010/09/alzheimers-autism-amyotrophic-lateral.html



http://betaamyloidcjd.blogspot.com/



2010 PRION UPDATE

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Seven main threats for the future linked to prions


http://prionpathy.blogspot.com/2010/08/seven-main-threats-for-future-linked-to.html



http://prionpathy.blogspot.com/




Friday, October 22, 2010

Peripherally Applied Aß-Containing Inoculates Induce Cerebral ß-Amyloidosis


http://betaamyloidcjd.blogspot.com/2010/10/peripherally-applied-containing.html



Saturday, March 22, 2008

10 Million Baby Boomers to have Alzheimer's in the coming decades


http://betaamyloidcjd.blogspot.com/2008/03/10-million-baby-boomers-to-have.html



see full text Alzheimer's and CJD i.e. TSE, aka mad cow disease


http://betaamyloidcjd.blogspot.com/



Wednesday, December 29, 2010

TRANSMISSIBLE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY PRION END OF YEAR REPORT DECEMBER 29, 2010


http://transmissiblespongiformencephalopathy.blogspot.com/2010/12/transmissible-spongiform-encephalopathy.html



Wednesday, December 29, 2010

CWD Update 99 December 13, 2010


http://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2010/12/cwd-update-99-december-13-2010.html




TSS