Self Prion Protein Peptides Are Immunogenic in Lewis Rats
December 2001
in “
Journal of autoimmunity
”
Studysummary This study found that immunity to self-prion peptides could be induced in Lewis rats, but in older rats, it was associated with severe skin inflammation and hair loss.
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The study investigated the immunogenicity of prion protein peptides in Lewis rats by immunizing them with peptides fitting the MHC class II RT1.B1 motif. Both humoral and cellular immune responses were observed without adverse effects in young rats. However, in 8-month-old rats, 6 out of 36 developed severe skin inflammation and hair loss. These results indicated that self-prion peptides could induce an immune response in Lewis rats, potentially leading to pathogenic outcomes in older animals.
