2011 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) To identify and differentiate typical and atypical case samples of CWD and Scrapie by characterizing the biologic phenotype and pathologic profile of these agents when administered to susceptible lines of transgenic and inbred mice. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Tissue samples from deer, elk, sheep, and goats with Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE) will be administered to mice by intracerebral injection. Multiple tissue types will be included, such as samples of brain, lymph node, blood, urine, feces, antler velvet, and muscle. Mouse models used as recipient hosts will include both preexisting and recently created transgenic and inbred mouse lines. Recipient mouse phenotype will be evaluated by measuring clinical response, population disease rate, incubation time, and pathologic profile within the central nervous system (CNS). Pathologic profile of CNS lesion foci is assessed by evaluating anatomic localization, spongiform change, astrocytic gliosis, and deposition of protease resistant prion protein. 3.Progress Report During FY2011, collaborative work between ADRU scientists and faculty at the University of Washington was focused on array-based monitoring of cytokine protein expression in several tissues and serum during the progression of scrapie infection in a transgenic mouse model. The results are relevant to developing biomarkers of scrapie disease as well as determine mechanisms of prion-associated neurologic disease. There are regular interactions between the lead scientist, ADRU scientists and University of Washington collaborators through personnel visits, conference calls and electronic exchange of data.