Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026
Monitoring Immune Cells Trafficking Fluorescent Prion Rods Hours after Intraperitoneal Infection
Published on: November 19, 2010
Scrapie strain-specific interactions with endogenous murine leukaemia virus
Abstract:
The finding that a senescence-accelerated mouse (SAMP8) shows early brain ageing, with histopathological changes resembling those seen in scrapie, combined with the discovery of high levels of endogenous murine leukaemia virus (MuLV) in brains of SAMP8 mice prompted us to examine the effect of scrapie infection on MuLV titres in this strain and in one of its progenitors, the AKR strain. Three scrapie strains (ME7, 22L and 139A) that had a comparatively short incubation period in SAMP8 and AKR mice caused an increase in brain MuLV titres that was scrapie strain-specific: in each mouse strain, the greatest effect was with 1 39A, and the least with ME7. The 22A scrapie strain, which has a long incubation period in SAMP8 mice, did not affect MuLV titres in brains of this mouse strain. Previous analyses of scrapie incubation periods in AKR, SAMP8 and another strain derived from an AKR cross (SAMR1) showed an inverse relationship between brain MuLV titres and scrapie incubation periods. This finding, combined with the effect of scrapie on MuLV titres, suggests an interaction between the scrapie infectious process and MuLV replication.
Insights
Scrapie infection impacts the replication of endogenous murine leukemia virus (MuLV) in specific mouse strains. This interaction suggests a link between scrapie disease progression and MuLV activity in the brain.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) models exhibit premature brain aging with scrapie-like pathology.
- High levels of endogenous murine leukemia virus (MuLV) are found in the brains of SAMP8 mice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of scrapie infection on MuLV titers in SAMP8 and AKR mouse strains.
- To explore the relationship between scrapie incubation periods and MuLV replication.
Main Methods:
- Infection of SAMP8 and AKR mice with three different scrapie strains (ME7, 22L, 139A).
- Quantification of MuLV titers in mouse brains post-scrapie infection.
- Analysis of scrapie incubation periods in relation to MuLV levels.
Main Results:
- Scrapie infection, particularly with the 139A strain, increased brain MuLV titers in a strain-specific manner.
- The ME7 scrapie strain showed the least effect on MuLV titers, while 22L and 139A showed greater increases.
- A long-incubation scrapie strain (22A) did not alter MuLV titers in SAMP8 mice.
- An inverse relationship was observed between brain MuLV titers and scrapie incubation periods.
Conclusions:
- Scrapie infection modulates endogenous MuLV replication in a strain-dependent manner.
- The findings suggest a significant interaction between the scrapie infectious process and MuLV replication.
- This interaction may influence the pathogenesis and progression of neurodegenerative diseases.
