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Prions and exosomes: from PrPc trafficking to PrPsc propagation
Isabel Porto-Carreiro1, Benoît Février, Sophie Paquet
1Institut Curie, CNRS UMR 144, 75248 Paris, France. Isabel.Porto-Carreiro@curie.fr
Blood Cells, Molecules & Diseases
|August 16, 2005
Summary
Exosomes, small vesicles, can transmit prions between cells. Targeting normal prion protein (PrP) via exosomes may enable prion multiplication in new cells, highlighting exosomes as pathogen vectors.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Neuroscience
- Pathogen Transmission
Background:
- Exosomes are extracellular vesicles involved in intercellular communication.
- Prion protein (PrP) exists in normal (PrPc) and infectious (PrPsc) forms.
- PrP is associated with exosomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the role of exosomes in prion propagation.
- Determine if exosomes can transfer infectious prions between cells.
- Explore exosomes as a novel route for cell-to-cell communication and pathogen transmission.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of exosome composition and function.
- Investigating the association of PrP with exosomes.
- Studying the infectivity of PrP-bearing exosomes.
Main Results:
- Prion protein (PrP) is found on exosomes.
- Exosomes carrying PrPsc are infectious.
- Exosomes can mediate prion spread to PrP-null cells.
Conclusions:
- Exosomes serve as vehicles for prion propagation and transmission.
- Exosome-mediated intercellular communication can facilitate prion disease spread.
- Targeting exosome pathways may offer strategies against prion diseases.