Disease characteristics of bovine spongiform encephalopathy following inoculation into mice via three different routes. Issue 5 (10th September 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vickery, Christopher M.; Beck, Katy E.; Simmons, Marion M.; Hawkins, Stephen A. C.; Spiropoulos, John
• Is Part Of: International journal of experimental pathology. Volume 94:Issue 5(2013:Oct.)
• Page Start: 320
• Page End: 328
• Publication Date: 2013-09-10
• Subjects: 301V -- bovine spongiform encephalopathy -- mouse bioassay -- prion -- transmissible spongiform encephalopathy; Pathology, Experimental -- Periodicals; 616.07
• DOI: 10.1111/iep.12036
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-9673

Abstract

Summary: Mouse‐adapted transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) strains are routinely distinguished based on reproducible disease characteristics in a given mouse line following inoculation via a consistent route. We investigated whether different administration routes (oral, intragastric (i.g.) and intracerebral (i.c.)) can alter the disease characteristics in IM mice after serial dilution of a stabilized mouse‐adapted bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) strain (301V). In addition, the infectivity of distal ileum and mesenteric lymph nodes (ln) sampled at three time points (35 days postinoculation (dpi), 70 dpi and terminal disease) after i.g. inoculation of 301V strain was assessed in mice by i.c. challenge. Strain characteristics were assessed according to standard methodology and PrP Sc immunohistochemistry deposition patterns. Mean incubation periods were prolonged following oral or i.g. inoculations compared to the i.c. route. Lesion profiles following i.c. challenges were elevated compared to i.g. and oral routes although vacuolation in the dorsal medulla was consistently high irrespective of the route of administration. Nevertheless, the same PrP Sc deposition pattern was associated with each route of administration. Distal and mesenteric ln infectivity was detected as early as 35 dpi and displayed consistent lesion profiles and PrP Sc deposition patterns. Our data suggest that although 301V retained its properties, some phenotypic parameters were affected by the route of inoculation. We conclude that bioassay data should be interpreted carefully and should be standardized for route of inoculation.