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Prion infection of oral and nasal mucosa

Crista DeJoia1, Brian Moreaux, Kimberly O'Connell

  • 1Department of Veterinary Molecular Biology, P.O. Box 173610, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717, USA.

Journal of Virology
|April 14, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Prion diseases spread to the tongue and nasal cavity via nerve fibers. This study shows pathological prion protein (PrP(Sc)) in hamster tongues and noses, suggesting a route for horizontal transmission.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pathology
  • Veterinary Medicine

Background:

  • Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative disorders.
  • Centrifugal spread of prions to peripheral tissues is thought to occur via axonal transport.
  • The distribution of pathological prion protein (PrP(Sc)) in peripheral tissues is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the distribution of PrP(Sc) in the tongues and nasal cavities of hamsters after intracerebral inoculation with the HY strain of the transmissible mink encephalopathy (TME) agent.
  • To determine the potential routes of prion spread to these peripheral sites.

Main Methods:

  • Intracerebral inoculation of hamsters with the HY TME agent.
  • Tissue analysis of tongues and nasal cavities for PrP(Sc) deposition.
  • Laser scanning confocal microscopy to localize PrP(Sc) within nerve fibers and cells.

Main Results:

  • PrP(Sc) deposition was detected in the tongue's lamina propria, taste buds, stratified squamous epithelium of fungiform papillae, and skeletal muscle.
  • PrP(Sc) was localized to nerve fibers, neuroepithelial taste cells, and possibly epithelial cells in the tongue.
  • PrP(Sc) accumulation was found in the olfactory and vomeronasal epithelium of the nasal cavity, associated with sensory neurons.

Conclusions:

  • Prion spread to the tongue occurs along somatosensory and gustatory cranial nerves, with potential synaptic spread to taste and epithelial cells.
  • Prion spread to the nasal cavity is consistent with transport via olfactory nerve fibers.
  • Infected epithelial cells, taste cells, or olfactory neurons at mucosal surfaces may play a role in the horizontal transmission of animal prion diseases.

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