Transcriptome analysis of lateral dorsal part of the thalamus in prion-infected mouse

Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the accumulation of disease-associated form of prion protein (PrPSc), activation of astrocytes and microglia, and vacuolation of neurons and neuropils in the central nervous system. Neuronal loss is also often observed, but molecular mechanisms remain to be elucidated. In the current study, in order to clarify the mechanism of neurodegeneration in prion diseases, first we identified brain regions where neuronal loss occured in mice infected with Obihiro and Chandler prion strains,and then analyzed transcriptome of the region by RNA-sequencing. Neuronal loss was observed in the thalamus at 120 and 145 days post inoculation (dpi). To analyze changes associated with the neuronal loss, we performed comprehensive gene expression analysis of lateral dorsal part of the thalamus where progressive neuronal loss was observed.