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Updated: Apr 15, 2026
Detection of Abnormal Prion Protein by Immunohistochemistry
Published on: May 5, 2023
Detection of exosomal prions in blood by immunochemistry techniques
Francesca Properzi1, Mariantonia Logozzi2, Hanin Abdel-Haq1
11Department of Cell Biology and Neurosciences, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
Abstract:
In most forms of prion diseases, blood is infectious, but detection by immunochemistry techniques of the only available marker of infection (the misfolded prion protein, PrPTSE) in blood remains elusive. We developed a novel method for the detection of PrPTSE in blood of prion-infected rodents based on the finding that PrPTSE is associated with plasma exosomes. However, further purification of the exosomes on a sucrose gradient was necessary to remove plasma immunoglobulins, which interfere with PrPTSE, masking its detection by immunochemistry. Finally, we report that about 20% of plasma infectivity is associated with exosomes.
Insights
Detecting prion diseases in blood is challenging. This study introduces a new method using exosomes to detect the misfolded prion protein (PrPTSE) in blood, improving diagnostic capabilities for prion infections.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Neuroscience
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative disorders.
- Blood is infectious in most prion diseases, but detecting the marker (misfolded prion protein, PrPTSE) in blood is difficult.
- Current immunochemistry techniques struggle to detect PrPTSE in blood due to interference.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel method for detecting PrPTSE in blood.
- To investigate the association of PrPTSE with plasma exosomes.
- To overcome limitations in current PrPTSE detection methods.
Main Methods:
- Developed a novel method for PrPTSE detection in rodent blood.
- Utilized the association of PrPTSE with plasma exosomes.
- Purified exosomes using a sucrose gradient to remove interfering immunoglobulins.
Main Results:
- Successfully detected PrPTSE in the blood of prion-infected rodents.
- Demonstrated that PrPTSE is associated with plasma exosomes.
- Showed that approximately 20% of plasma infectivity is linked to exosomes.
Conclusions:
- A novel method for PrPTSE detection in blood has been developed.
- Plasma exosomes are a viable vehicle for PrPTSE detection.
- This method shows promise for improving prion disease diagnostics.
