New technology that could eliminate the risks of "mad cow" disease (bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or BSE) transmission to humans via infected food or blood transfusions may now be on the horizon. Oxford University and V.I Technologies Inc. (VITEX) have teamed up in agreements which will license RNA aptamers -- molecules designed to stick to the prions which cause Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD)-- developed at Oxford's Dunn School of Pathology, to VITEX for development into a range of tools which can both detect and remove prions, for use in the food, medical and agricultural industries.
Prions are recognized as the infectious agents that cause CJD by attacking the brain, killing cells and creating gaps in tissue, giving the brain a characteristic sponge-like appearance.
Currently there are no diagnostic tests available to confirm if CJD is present other than a brain biopsy or autopsy, and there are no treatments available -- CJD is invariably fatal, with 90 per cent of patients dying within one year.
It is hoped that the new aptamers will form the basis of a reliable diagnostic tool for CJD and also point the way toward potential treatments which could utilize the aptamer to remove the infectious prions from the brain and bloodstream.
VITEX will also be funding further research at the Dunn School into the potential applications of the new aptamers to the blood transfusion industry.
Current testing agents for prions in blood can only detect them once they have risen above a certain level, meaning that transfusions could potentially transmit a risk of CJD. The aptamers could serve as a filter through which blood could pass and remove any undetected prions, ensuring that new standards of blood safety are reached.
The aptamers are manufactured from a resistant RNA-like chemical and are specially designed genetic strips which recognize and bind to the protein sequences in infectious prions.
Dr. William James, head of the research group which designed the aptamers, said, "We are very excited about this breakthrough in prion research and look forward to the collaboration with VITEX, which will enable us to make sure that our discovery is turned into something that could make a real difference in CJD diagnosis and prevention."
07-Jun-2001
