Post-conversion sialylation of prions in lymphoid tissues
Abstract
In mammals, sialic acids are the most abundant terminal residues on cell-surface glycans and comprise "self-associated molecular patterns," which protect the host from inappropriate activation of multiple immune pathways. In a striking illustration of molecular mimicry, a number of microbial pathogens recruit host sialic acids to decorate their surfaces and hide from the same immune responses. Prions are proteinaceous infectious agents, not conventional pathogens. This study found that sialylation of prions is enhanced upon their colonization of secondary lymphoid organs, via extracellular host sialylation machinery. Thus, prions may use strategies similar to other pathogens to camouflage themselves from the immune system, facilitating host invasion.
- Publication:
-
Proceedings of the National Academy of Science
- Pub Date:
- December 2015
- DOI:
- 10.1073/pnas.1517993112
- Bibcode:
- 2015PNAS..112E6654S