Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) is a rare and fatal neurodegenerative condition that is believed to be caused by the abnormal prion protein. Our company stands out in the realm of infectious diseases like vCJD by providing tailored services, including vaccine and therapeutic development, crafted for researchers and scientists dedicated to vCJD research.
Overview of vCJD
vCJD is a type of prion disease that impacts the brain and is thought to be triggered by the consumption of products contaminated with the abnormal prion protein. Specifically, the risk is associated with consuming products from cattle infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), more commonly known as "mad cow disease". This infection manifests in the brain and presents itself through rapidly progressing symptoms such as dementia, muscle stiffness, and various other neurological impairments.
Fig.1 Timeline of the origin, emergence, and progression of vCJD. (Ritchie, D. L., et al., 2021)
Pathogenesis of vCJD
The pathogenesis of vCJD involves the abnormal folding and accumulation of the prion protein in the brain, which results in the formation of plaques that damage nerve cells. While the majority of reported vCJD cases are associated with primary transmission through contaminated food, secondary transmission can occur through blood transfusions or the use of plasma-derived products. As of April 2021, the global count stands at 232 reported cases of probable or definite vCJD.
Vaccine Development for vCJD
At present, there is no vaccine accessible for vCJD, and creating one presents notable hurdles due to the prion protein's high resistance to traditional methods of inactivation or destruction. Despite these challenges, some research groups have explored potential vaccine approaches for vCJD, such as using modified prion proteins.
Therapeutic Development for vCJD
Ongoing research endeavors are making strides in comprehending the illness and crafting potential therapies. Several experimental therapeutics are under investigation.
Targeting the abnormal prion proteins with antibodies to halt disease progression.
Drugs that can interfere with the formation or propagation of prions are under investigation.
Gene editing tools like CRISPR to target and modify genes associated with prion diseases.
Our Services
We excel in providing tailored support, cutting-edge laboratory facilities, expert consultation, and customized research solutions specifically geared toward vCJD research. Expertise in infectious disease models, vaccine development, and therapeutic development platforms enables us to offer a comprehensive service that covers all aspects of research and development related to vCJD.
Featured Services for vCJD
- Optional Models
Mouse model (variation at codon 129) inoculated with vCJD; Wild-type mouse lines (RIII, VM, and C57BL) inoculation with vCJD brain isolates
- Transmission routes include intracerebral inoculation, parenteral, and oral.
By streamlining the research process and offering tailored services, we empower researchers and scientists to concentrate on their core work, driving innovation and advancements in the understanding and therapy of infectious diseases like vCJD. If you are interested in our services, we invite you to contact us for detailed insights and comprehensive quotations.
References
- Ritchie, Diane L et al. "Variant CJD: Reflections a Quarter of a Century on." Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) 10.11 (2021): 1413.
- Woerman, Amanda L, and Gültekin Tamgüney. "Body-first Parkinson's disease and variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease - similar or different?" Neurobiology of disease 164 (2022): 105625.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use
only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
