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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
10:12
Protein Misfolding Cyclic Amplification of Prions
Published on: November 7, 2012
Prion protein in patients with renal failure
R Starke1, I Mackie, O Drummond
1Department of Haematology, University College London, London, UK. r.starke@ucl.ac.uk
Transfusion Medicine (Oxford, England)
|June 13, 2006
Summary
Elevated prion protein (PrP(C)) is found in renal failure patients, and dialysis does not lower these levels. This suggests plasma PrP(C) is not specific to neurological diseases.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Nephrology
- Hematology
Background:
- Prion protein (PrP(C)) levels were previously found elevated in renal failure patients.
- The role of PrP(C) in non-neurological conditions requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To further investigate elevated plasma prion protein (PrP(C)) levels in patients with renal failure.
- To determine if renal dialysis affects plasma PrP(C) concentrations.
- To explore plasma PrP(C) levels in other chronic illnesses.
Main Methods:
- Plasma PrP(C) concentrations were measured in 20 additional renal failure patients.
- PrP(C) levels were assessed in patients undergoing renal dialysis and cardiopulmonary bypass with heparin.
- Plasma PrP(C) was also measured in patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, sickle cell anaemia, and beta-thalassaemia.
Main Results:
- All 20 renal failure patients exhibited significantly higher plasma PrP(C) concentrations than healthy controls.
- Renal dialysis did not reduce plasma PrP(C) levels.
- Patients on cardiopulmonary bypass with heparin showed normal PrP(C) levels.
- Elevated plasma PrP(C) was observed in beta-thalassaemia but not in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura or sickle cell anaemia.
Conclusions:
- Elevated plasma PrP(C) in renal failure is not a generalized response to chronic illness.
- The findings suggest that plasma PrP(C) is not a specific marker for neurological diseases like Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
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