In vitro interaction of scrapie agent and mouse peritoneal macrophages
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Abstract:
Scrapie brain homogenate was mixed with mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro. After 2 h of incubation at 37 degrees, a portion of the scrapie infectivity was associated with macrophages. In contrast, very little infectivity was associated with kidney cells that had been exposed to scrapie brain homogenate. After incubation of the scrapie brain homogenate-macrophage mixture at 4 degrees rather than 37 degrees, a reduced quantity of infectivity was associated with the macrophages. These result show that in vitro incubation, the scrapie agent was associated with macrophages, and the data suggest that phagocytic activity was involved.
Insights
Mouse macrophages can interact with the scrapie agent in vitro. This interaction, involving phagocytic activity, suggests macrophages play a role in scrapie pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Pathology
Background:
- Scrapie is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy.
- The cellular mechanisms of scrapie agent uptake are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interaction between scrapie brain homogenate and mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro.
- To determine if macrophages associate with scrapie infectivity.
Main Methods:
- In vitro incubation of mouse peritoneal macrophages with scrapie brain homogenate.
- Incubation at different temperatures (37°C vs. 4°C).
- Assessing scrapie infectivity associated with macrophages and kidney cells.
Main Results:
- Macrophages associated with a portion of scrapie infectivity after incubation.
- Kidney cells showed minimal association with scrapie infectivity.
- Reduced macrophage association with scrapie infectivity at 4°C compared to 37°C.
Conclusions:
- Scrapie agent associates with macrophages in vitro.
- Phagocytic activity is suggested to be involved in the association of scrapie agent with macrophages.