Prion Diseases: A Unique Transmissible Agent or a Model for Neurodegenerative Diseases?
The accumulation and propagation in the brain of misfolded proteins is a pathological hallmark shared by many neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (Aβ and tau), Parkinson’s disease (α-synuclein), and prion disease (prion protein). Currently, there is no epidemiological evidence to...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-02-01
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| Series: | Biomolecules |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/11/2/207 |
| _version_ | 1797416390197510144 |
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| author | Diane L. Ritchie Marcelo A. Barria |
| author_facet | Diane L. Ritchie Marcelo A. Barria |
| author_sort | Diane L. Ritchie |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The accumulation and propagation in the brain of misfolded proteins is a pathological hallmark shared by many neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (Aβ and tau), Parkinson’s disease (α-synuclein), and prion disease (prion protein). Currently, there is no epidemiological evidence to suggest that neurodegenerative disorders are infectious, apart from prion diseases. However, there is an increasing body of evidence from experimental models to suggest that other pathogenic proteins such as Aβ and tau can propagate in vivo and in vitro in a prion-like mechanism, inducing the formation of misfolded protein aggregates such as amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Such similarities have raised concerns that misfolded proteins, other than the prion protein, could potentially transmit from person-to-person as rare events after lengthy incubation periods. Such concerns have been heightened following a number of recent reports of the possible inadvertent transmission of Aβ pathology via medical and surgical procedures. This review will provide a historical perspective on the unique transmissible nature of prion diseases, examining their impact on public health and the ongoing concerns raised by this rare group of disorders. Additionally, this review will provide an insight into current evidence supporting the potential transmissibility of other pathogenic proteins associated with more common neurodegenerative disorders and the potential implications for public health. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T06:03:32Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a0362d91ed73419ba56523331044e98b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2218-273X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T06:03:32Z |
| publishDate | 2021-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biomolecules |
| spelling | doaj.art-a0362d91ed73419ba56523331044e98b2023-12-03T12:07:22ZengMDPI AGBiomolecules2218-273X2021-02-0111220710.3390/biom11020207Prion Diseases: A Unique Transmissible Agent or a Model for Neurodegenerative Diseases?Diane L. Ritchie0Marcelo A. Barria1National CJD Research & Surveillance Unit, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UKNational CJD Research & Surveillance Unit, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UKThe accumulation and propagation in the brain of misfolded proteins is a pathological hallmark shared by many neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (Aβ and tau), Parkinson’s disease (α-synuclein), and prion disease (prion protein). Currently, there is no epidemiological evidence to suggest that neurodegenerative disorders are infectious, apart from prion diseases. However, there is an increasing body of evidence from experimental models to suggest that other pathogenic proteins such as Aβ and tau can propagate in vivo and in vitro in a prion-like mechanism, inducing the formation of misfolded protein aggregates such as amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Such similarities have raised concerns that misfolded proteins, other than the prion protein, could potentially transmit from person-to-person as rare events after lengthy incubation periods. Such concerns have been heightened following a number of recent reports of the possible inadvertent transmission of Aβ pathology via medical and surgical procedures. This review will provide a historical perspective on the unique transmissible nature of prion diseases, examining their impact on public health and the ongoing concerns raised by this rare group of disorders. Additionally, this review will provide an insight into current evidence supporting the potential transmissibility of other pathogenic proteins associated with more common neurodegenerative disorders and the potential implications for public health.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/11/2/207neurodegenerative diseasesprion diseasetransmissionamyloid-betaprotein misfoldingprion-like |
| spellingShingle | Diane L. Ritchie Marcelo A. Barria Prion Diseases: A Unique Transmissible Agent or a Model for Neurodegenerative Diseases? Biomolecules neurodegenerative diseases prion disease transmission amyloid-beta protein misfolding prion-like |
| title | Prion Diseases: A Unique Transmissible Agent or a Model for Neurodegenerative Diseases? |
| title_full | Prion Diseases: A Unique Transmissible Agent or a Model for Neurodegenerative Diseases? |
| title_fullStr | Prion Diseases: A Unique Transmissible Agent or a Model for Neurodegenerative Diseases? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prion Diseases: A Unique Transmissible Agent or a Model for Neurodegenerative Diseases? |
| title_short | Prion Diseases: A Unique Transmissible Agent or a Model for Neurodegenerative Diseases? |
| title_sort | prion diseases a unique transmissible agent or a model for neurodegenerative diseases |
| topic | neurodegenerative diseases prion disease transmission amyloid-beta protein misfolding prion-like |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/11/2/207 |
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