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Autoclave treatment fails to completely inactivate DLB alpha-synuclein seeding activity
Jung-Youn Han1, Kyung-Je Park2, Hoo-Chang Park2
1Laboratory Animal Center, Division of Research Strategy, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports
|March 16, 2023
Summary
Standard autoclaving does not fully inactivate alpha-synuclein (α-syn) seeds in Dementia with Lewy body (DLB) brains. Further evaluation of laboratory procedures is needed to ensure complete inactivation of these prion-like agents.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Infectious Disease Research
Background:
- Synucleinopathies, such as Dementia with Lewy body (DLB), involve the accumulation of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) aggregates in the brain.
- Pathological α-syn exhibits prion-like characteristics, including its ability to propagate and seed further aggregation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of standard autoclaving procedures in inactivating α-syn seeding activity in DLB patient brains.
- To determine the residual seeding activity of α-syn after heat treatment.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Real-Time Quaking-Induced Conversion (RT-QuIC) assay to measure α-syn seeding activity.
- Analyzed human brain samples from DLB patients subjected to autoclaving at 121°C and 132°C.
Main Results:
- Autoclaving at 121°C reduced α-syn seeding activity by one to two log10, with residual 50% seeding doses (SD50) exceeding 107/mg tissue.
- Even autoclaving at 132°C left detectable α-syn seeding activity, with an approximate SD50 of 106/mg tissue.
Conclusions:
- Standard autoclaving methods are insufficient for the complete inactivation of α-syn seeds found in DLB brains.
- Highlights the critical need to re-evaluate and potentially enhance laboratory safety protocols to prevent iatrogenic transmission of synucleinopathies.
