CYTOKINES, PROSTAGLANDINS AND LIPOCORTIN-1 ARE PRESENT IN THE BRAINS OF SCRAPIE-INFECTED MICE

The presence of cytokines, prostaglandins and lipocortin-1 was investi gated in terminally affected mice in two models of scrapie. There was marked induction of glial interleukin-1 beta, tumour necrosis factor a lpha, prostaglandin E(2), prostaglandin F-2 alpha and lipocortin-1 imm unoreactivity in those areas of the brain showing the characteristic v acuolation of scrapie. A comparison of these staining patterns with th ose of GFAP and F4/80 showed that their expression occurred predominan tly in astrocytes. It is possible that cytokines play a significant ro le in the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration in scrapie.