Exosomes in prion diseases

Abstract

Dementias are characterized by generation and tissue deposition of proteins altered in their secondary or tertiary structure. Prion diseases are prominent and well-studied examples of these diseases. Initiation of prion disease is associated to the conversion of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) to its pathogenic isoform (PrPSc). Spread of PrPSc throughout the central nervous system leads to disease progression and is achieved by cell-to-cell transfer, axonal or nanotube-mediated transport or exosomes. In this chapter we describe how to isolate, purify, and quality control exosomes, and provide helpful notes for practical guidance and troubleshooting in these techniques.