Retrospective analysis of sheep scrapie by western blotting with formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues

J Vet Med Sci. 2012 Sep;74(9):1207-10. doi: 10.1292/jvms.12-0037. Epub 2012 May 15.

Abstract

An abnormal isoform of prion protein (PrP(Sc)) was extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues from sheep and analyzed by western blotting. PrP(Sc) immunoreactivity against anti-PrP monoclonal antibody T2, which recognizes discontinuous PrP sequences, differed amongst individual scrapie sheep cases. This may reflect structural differences in PrP(Sc) that have been formalin-fixed prior to their extraction. This study indicates that western blotting by using FFPE tissues is useful for the retrospective analysis of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies in which only formalin-fixed samples are available and in conducting transmissible spongiform encephalopathies surveillance where freezing system is insufficient.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western / methods
  • Blotting, Western / veterinary*
  • Formaldehyde
  • Paraffin Embedding / veterinary
  • PrPSc Proteins / isolation & purification*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Scrapie / pathology*
  • Sheep
  • Tissue Fixation / veterinary

Substances

  • PrPSc Proteins
  • Formaldehyde