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Characterization of light chain immunoglobulin in urine from animals and humans infected with prion diseases
Zehavit Kariv-Inbal1, Michele Halimi, Yael Dayan
1Department of Neurology, The Agnes Ginges Center for Human Neurogenetics, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem 91120, Israel.
Abstract:
The necessity of a non-invasive in-vivo test for prion diseases has become more apparent since the transmission of vCJD from the blood of a healthy individual incubating the disease. Here we show that prion urine comprises an array of protease resistant peptides, among them light chain immunoglobulin (LC). This was observed by sequencing gel bands comprising hamster urine samples, as well as by immunoblotting of similar samples with anti mouse IgG reagents for hamster samples, or with anti human IgG reagents for human samples. Our result suggests that urine samples from CJD patients can be identified by the presence of protease resistant proteins such as LC.
Insights
Prion diseases like Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) may be detected non-invasively through urine analysis. Researchers found specific protease-resistant proteins, including immunoglobulin light chains (LC), in the urine of CJD patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- The transmission of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) through blood transfusions highlights the urgent need for non-invasive diagnostic tests.
- Prion diseases are characterized by the misfolding of prion proteins, leading to neurodegeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of protease-resistant peptides in urine as potential biomarkers for prion diseases.
- To determine if immunoglobulin light chains (LC) in urine can serve as indicators for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD).
Main Methods:
- Analysis of hamster and human urine samples using gel sequencing and immunoblotting techniques.
- Detection of protease-resistant peptides, specifically immunoglobulin light chains (LC), in urine samples.
Main Results:
- Urine samples from CJD patients contained an array of protease-resistant peptides.
- Immunoglobulin light chains (LC) were identified as a component of these protease-resistant peptides in CJD patient urine.
Conclusions:
- The presence of protease-resistant proteins, such as immunoglobulin light chains (LC), in urine suggests a potential non-invasive diagnostic marker for CJD.
- Further research into urine analysis could lead to early detection and improved management of prion diseases.
