Neuroni NOS-immunoreattivi nel sistema nervoso enterico di pecore di razza Sarda con diversa suscettibilità genetica nei confronti della Scrapie.

Scrapie represents the prototype of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, or prion diseases. Although the most likely site of entry of the Scrapie agent is the gastrointestinal tract, the infection’s pathogenesis is only partially understood. The agent initially targets enteric lymphoid tissues, then spreads to the nearby nerve fibres and cells. Aim of the present work was to study the neurochemical code of enteric nervous system (ENS) neurons, particularly those producing nitric oxide (NOS-IR neurons), in 6 Sarda breed sheep carrying different PrP genotypes, all of which included as healthy controls in an experimental Scrapie infection study. Ileal samples were collected, processed by the wholemount technique, and tested with an antibody anti-nNOS antibody. Differences were observed between submucosal and myenteric ENS plexuses, but not among sheep carrying different PrP genotypes.