Method of in vitro propagation and detection of infectious prion using follicular dendritic cell cultures co-cultured with B cells

摘要

Methods for the in vitro propagation of infectious prions (PrPSc) are provided. Follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) are cultured with B cells and infected with prions. Methods of detecting infectious prions (PrPSc) in animals are also provided. Peripheral blood B cells are collected from an animal suspected of being infected with infections prions, cultured with follicular dendritic cells, and the presence of infectious prions is detected.