Handout 9 - Prions

Pathologies induced by prions
4. Amyloidosis - deposition of amyloid in the cerebellar
cortex, thalamus, brain stem and in the lumen of blood
vessels within the brain.
These amyloid plaques consist of discrete eosinophilic
glassy-appearing masses, often having radiating amyloid
fibrils at their periphery.
The plaques are primarily subependymal, subpial and
perivascular.
3/26/2006
Pathologies induced by prions
Note that the pathology does NOT include any signs of
inflammation or fever.
This is evidence that the immune system does not respond to
the prion protein.
Since the prion protein is derived from self this is what you
would expect.
These pathologies give rise to the clinical symptomology
seen in these patients.
3/26/2006