The role of cellular prion protein in immune system

초록

Numerous studies have investigated the cellular prion protein(PrPC) since its discovery. These investigations have explainedthat its structure is predominantly composed of alpha helicesand short beta sheet segments, and when its abnormal scrapieisoform (PrPSc) is infected, PrPSc transforms the PrPC, leading toprion diseases, including Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humansand bovine spongiform encephalopathy in cattle. Given itsubiquitous distribution across a variety of cellular types, thePrPC manifests a diverse range of biological functions, includingcell-cell adhesion, neuroprotection, signalings, and oxidativestress response. PrPC is also expressed in immune tissues, andits functions in these tissues include the activation of immunecells and the formation of secondary lymphoid tissues, such asthe spleen and lymph nodes. Moreover, high expression ofPrPC in immune cells plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis ofprion diseases. In addition, it affects inflammation and the developmentand progression of cancer via various mechanisms. In this review, we discuss the studies on the role of PrPC fromvarious immunological perspectives.

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