PrPSc is associated with B cells in the blood of scrapie-infected sheep

Recently, we reported that PrPSc, a surrogate marker for prion disease, is associated with the cellular fraction of blood from scrapie-infected sheep using a ligand-based immunoassay. In the study reported here, we found that a subset of peripheral blood mononuclear cells is most likely to sequester PrPSc during both the preclinical phase of disease and at clinical end point. These cells had a cell surface phenotype of MHC class II DQ+, surface immunoglobulin+, CD11b+, CD11c+, CD21+/−, which is consistent with a subpopulation of B cells. What role these cells play in the pathogenesis of scrapie is unclear, but they may contribute to the trafficking of prions to the spleen during early pathogenesis of the disease. Furthermore, tests for preclinical diagnostics could be further improved by targeting these cells.