LTA and infection: Since genetic removal of the main cellular components of the LRS (e.g. by intercrosses with mice lacking T-, B-cells or NK-cells in, JH−/− or γCRag2−/− mice) as well as genetic (LTα−/−; LTβR−/−) or pharmacological (LTβR-Ig) depletion of follicular dendritic cells - the main cell responsible for prion replication in secondary lymphoid organs - did not change the course of disease upon infection with prion aerosols, we conclude that the above data demonstrate that the LRS is dispensable for prion infection through the aerogenic route.