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

Cell Mol Neurobiol. 2011 Oct;31(7):999-1008. doi: 10.1007/s10571-011-9696-z. Epub 2011 Apr 23.

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / cytology*
  • Cell Line
  • Genetic Vectors
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Microglia / cytology
  • Microglia / physiology*
  • Microglia / transplantation*
  • Prions / immunology*
  • Prions / pathogenicity
  • Prions / physiology
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / immunology
  • Scrapie / physiopathology*
  • Scrapie / therapy
  • Single-Chain Antibodies / genetics
  • Single-Chain Antibodies / immunology*
  • Single-Chain Antibodies / therapeutic use
  • Survival Rate

Substances

  • Prions
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Single-Chain Antibodies