Preparation of PrP-specific Polyclonal Antibody via Immunization of PRNP-knockout Mice with Recombinant Human PrP Protein

Abstract

ObjectiveThe definite diagnosis of human and animal prion diseases depends on the examination of special pathological changes and/or detection of PrPSc in the brain tissues of suspected cases. Thus, developing methods to obtain PrP antibody with good specificity and sensitivity is fundamental for prion identification. MethodsWe prepared a PrP-specific polyclonal antibody (pAb P54) in a PRNP-knockout mouse model via immunization with recombinant full-length human PrP protein residues 23–231. Thereafter, we verified that pAb in Western blot, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescent (IFA) assays. ResultsWestern blot illustrated that the newly prepared pAb P54 could react with recombinant PrP protein, normal brain PrPC from healthy rodents and humans, and pathological PrPSc in the brains of experimental rodents infected with scrapie and humans infected with different types of prion diseases. The electrophoretic patterns of brain PrPC and PrPSc observed after their reaction with pAb P54 were nearly identical to those produced by commercial PrP monoclonal antibodies. Three glycosylated PrP molecules in the brain homogenates were clearly demonstrated in the reactions of these molecules with pAb P54. IHC assay revealed apparent PrP deposits in the GdnCl-treated brain slices of 139A-infected mice and 263K-infected hamsters. IFA tests with pAb P54 also showed clear green signals surrounding blue-stained cell nuclei. ConclusionThe newly prepared pAb P54 demonstrated reliable specificity and sensitivity and, thus, may have potential applications not only in studies of prion biology but also in the diagnosis of human and experimental rodent prion diseases.