RNA sequencing of sciatic nerves from ZH3 and WT mice

The transcriptome of sciatic nerves was investigated by RNA sequencing. We compared the transcriptome of ZH3 sciatic nerves to WT sciatic nerves in two age groups. Differentially expressed genes were considered as indicators of peripheral nerve damage in ZH3 mice. Then, we compared the sciatic nerve transcriptome of ZH3 mice chronically treated with a dimeric PrP-fusion protein (FT2Fc) to the two control groups treated with either buffer or mouse IgG. This comparison revealed specific changes induced by FT2Fc treatment. Contrary to our hypothesis, FT2Fc treatment did not alter the expression of the genes that were dysregulated in young and old ZH3 mice (as identified in the first part of the study). Overall design: Sciatic nerve mRNA profiles were obtained by deep sequencing. Number of replicates: young mice (4 months) mice: 3 WT mice, 3 ZH3 mice (both sciatic nerves from one mouse pooled into one sample). Old mice (13-15 months): 4 WT mice, 4 ZH3 mice(both sciatic nerves from one mouse pooled in each sample). Chronically treated ZH3 mice: 4 mice per treatment, each sample comprises one sciatic nerve from one mouse.