Naturally occurring antibodies against prion proteins found in humans

(EMBO) Antibodies targeting the normal PrP version of the prion protein have been found in humans selected at random with no history of any associated transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. In EMBO Molecular Medicine, researchers at the University of Zurich and Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research in Switzerland report on active antibodies against PrP at high levels in a small proportion of individuals, 21 of 37,894 hospital patients screened for presence of anti-PrP IgGs, the most common form of immunoglobulin.
Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - Category: Biology Source Type: news