Background and objectives: To quantify the cellular isoform of prion protein (PrP(c)) in human blood using a new time-resolved dissociation-enhanced fluoroimmunoassay (DELFIA).
Materials and methods: The DELFIA was optimised for human blood samples and applied to isolated cell and plasma fractions from blood donations. The physicochemical properties of PrP(c) were analysed.
Results: 26. 5% of blood PrP(c) was associated with the platelet fraction, 0.8% with polymorphonuclear leucocytes, 2.4% with mononuclear leucocytes, 1.8% with red cells and 68.5% with plasma (mean values from 4 processed donations).
Conclusion: The majority of blood PrP(c) is found in the platelet and plasma compartments.