Pathogenese von Prionen-Erkrankungen

• Antragsteller: Florian Islinger
• Fachliche Zuordnung: Pathologie
• Förderung: Förderung von 2003 bis 2004
• Projektkennung: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Projektnummer 5408608

Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs) also called prion diseases are neurodegenerative diseases which occur primarily after oral contamination of animals or humans. However, the exact pathways of infection and the cells involved in prion propagation are not determined. Moreover, there is no prophylaxis available for these diseases. We propose to investigate the pathogenesis of oral infection in a rapid mouse model involving the overexpression of the homologous prion protein. The cells potentially supporting prion transport/replication in the gut and the blood will be looked for by several methods including immunohistochemical co-localisation of the prion protein and its cellular receptor. Finally, we will investigate the possibility to mount a protective immune response after oral application of prions.

• DFG-Verfahren: Forschungsstipendien