The Effects of Immune System Modulation on Prion Disease Susceptibility and Pathogenesis.

ABSTRACT: Prion diseases are a unique group of infectious chronic neurodegenerative disorders to which there are no cures. Although prion infections do not stimulate adaptive immune responses in infected individuals, the actions of certain immune cell populations can have a significant impact on disease pathogenesis. After infection, the targeting of peripherally-acquired prions to specific immune cells in the secondary lymphoid organs (SLO), such as the lymph nodes and spleen, is essential for the efficient transmission of disease to the brain. Once the prions reach the brain, interactions with other immune cell populations can provide either host protection or accelerate the neurodegeneration. In this review, we provide a detailed account of how factors such as inflammation, ageing and pathogen co

SUBMITTER: Mabbott NA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7582561 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature