Effects of a brain-engraftable microglial cell line expressing anti-prion scFv antibodies on survival times of mice infected with scrapie prions

K Fujita, Y Yamaguchi, T Mori, N Muramatsu… - Cellular and molecular …, 2011 - Springer
K Fujita, Y Yamaguchi, T Mori, N Muramatsu, T Miyamoto, M Yano, H Miyata, A Ootsuyama…
Cellular and molecular neurobiology, 2011Springer
We first verified that a single chain Fv fragment against prion protein (anti-PrP scFv) was
secreted by HEK293T cells and prevented prion replication in infected cells. We then stably
expressed anti-PrP scFv in brain-engraftable murine microglial cells and intracerebrally
injected these cells into mice before or after infection with prions. Interestingly, the injection
before or at an early time point after infection attenuated the infection marginally but
significantly prolonged survival times of the mice. These suggest that the ex vivo gene …
Abstract
We first verified that a single chain Fv fragment against prion protein (anti-PrP scFv) was secreted by HEK293T cells and prevented prion replication in infected cells. We then stably expressed anti-PrP scFv in brain-engraftable murine microglial cells and intracerebrally injected these cells into mice before or after infection with prions. Interestingly, the injection before or at an early time point after infection attenuated the infection marginally but significantly prolonged survival times of the mice. These suggest that the ex vivo gene transfer of anti-PrP scFvs using brain-engraftable cells could be a possible immunotherapeutic approach against prion diseases.
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