Regarding the Biological Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Treatment of Prion-Like Disease
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2026 | Viewed by 1941
Special Issue Editor
2. Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310007, China
3. Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
Interests: prion diseases; neurodegeneration; neuroinflammation; innate immune signaling; protein misfolding; molecular biomarkers; viral evolution; pathogen genomics; molecular surveillance; translational molecular medicinenfectionneuron losschinabrain
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Prion diseases/TSEs are fatal neurodegenerative disorders driven by the misfolding of PrPC into PrPSc. Beyond their clinical importance, prions offer a powerful model for interrogating protein misfolding, strain biology, host responses, and neuroinflammation. Recent advances in structural biology, ultrasensitive diagnostics (RT-QuIC, PMCA), and the recognition of prion-like propagation across proteinopathies (e.g., Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s) are opening new avenues for biomarker discovery and therapeutic development.
This Special Issue seeks high-quality original research articles, reviews, and short communications on the following topics: molecular mechanisms of PrP misfolding and aggregation; prion strain diversity, adaptation, and interspecies transmission; host–glia interactions and neurotoxicity; peripheral/blood biomarkers and surveillance; assay innovation (RT-QuIC/PMCA); translational targets and anti-prion strategies; and biosafety/zoonotic aspects. The focus aligns with IJMS in advancing molecular insights with translational relevance.
Beyond the topics above, papers focusing on the following are also welcome:
- Structural and molecular mechanisms of PrP misfolding/aggregation;
- Strain diversity, adaptation, and interspecies transmission;
- RT-QuIC/PMCA innovations and novel biomarkers;
- Host response, neuroinflammation, and glial biology;
- Peripheral/blood biomarkers and early diagnosis;
- Prion-like propagation in other neurodegenerative diseases;
- Therapeutic targets and compounds to prevent/reverse PrPSc formation;
- Zoonotic, biosafety, and public-health perspectives.
Prof. Dr. Cao Chen
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- prion diseases
- protein misfolding
- PrPSc
- strain diversity
- RT-QuIC
- PMCA
- biomarkers
- neuroinflammation
- prion-like propagation
- therapeutic strategies
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