In this review, we describe the generation and use of cell culture models o
f transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, also known as prion diseases.
These models include chronically prion-infected cell lines, as well as cult
ures expressing variable amounts of wild-type, mutated, or chimeric prion p
roteins. These cell lines have been widely used to investigate the biology
of both the normal and the pathological isoform of the prion protein. They
have also contributed to the, comprehension of the pathogenic processes occ
urring in transmissible spongiform encephalopathies and in the development
of new therapeutic approaches of these diseases. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science.