An agent that is smaller than a virus causes scrapie. It is either a protein called a prion or it is another substance closely associated with the prion protein. Scientists still have a lot to learn about the scrapie agent and exactly how it works.
Tissue valves are made with tissues from porcine (pig) heart valves or bovine (cow) cardiac tissue because they function like human heart valves. Once the tissue is removed from the animal, it is chemically treated to preserve the tissue and prevent immulogic reactions once it is placed in a patient.
Connective tissue is made up of cells and extracellular matrix. The extracellular matrix is made up of fibres in a protein and polysaccharide matrix, secreted and organised by cells in the extracellular matrix.