Open AccessNeural Stem Cell Model for Prion Propagation
Author(s) -
Milhavet Ollivier,
Casanova Danielle,
Chevallier Nathalie,
McKay Ronald D. G.,
Lehmann Sylvain
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
stem cells
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.159
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1549-4918
pISSN - 1066-5099
DOI - 10.1634/stemcells.2006-0088
Subject(s) - biology , neural stem cell , scrapie , progenitor cell , microbiology and biotechnology , stem cell , neuroscience , transgene , cell , cell culture , gene isoform , prion protein , virology , genetics , disease , pathology , gene , medicine
The study of prion transmission and targeting is a major scientific issue with important consequences for public health. Only a few cell culture systems that are able to convert the cellular isoform of the prion protein into the pathologic scrapie isoform of the prion protein (PrP Sc ) have been described. We hypothesized that central nervous system neural stem cells (NSCs) could be the basis of a new cell culture model permissive to prion infection. Here, we report that monolayers of differentiated fetal NSCs and adult multipotent progenitor cells isolated from mice were able to propagate prions. We also demonstrated the large influence of neural cell fate on the production of PrP Sc , allowing the molecular study of prion neuronal targeting in relation with strain differences. This new stem cell‐based model, which is applicable to different species and to transgenic mice, will allow thoughtful investigations of the molecular basis of prion diseases, and will open new avenues for diagnostic and therapeutic research.