Immunologic, histopathologic, and bacteriologic responses of five strains of mice to Brucella abortus strain 2308

A study was conducted to establish baseline data on Brucella abortus infection induced in 5 strains of mice (CBA/NJ, BALB/c, CD-1, C3H/HeN, and C3H/HeJ). The strains were compared on the basis of immunologic, histopathologic, and bacteriologic responses. There were 4 treatment groups for each strain of mice: (1) vaccinated with homologous lipopolysaccharide and challenge exposed to B abortus strain 2308; (2) not vaccinated but challenge exposed; (3) vaccinated and not challenge exposed; and (4) not vaccinated and not challenge exposed. Results indicated that mice can be used for comparative studies on the pathogenesis and immunogenesis of B abortus infections; strains of mice may vary in their responses to Brucella infection, regardless of their vaccination status. Bacteriologic and immunologic responses in mouse strains BALB/c, CD-1, C3H/HeN, and C3H/HeJ, but not those of CBA/NJ, were extrapolative among strains.     

Alopecia areata in C3H/HeJ mice involves leukocyte-mediated root sheath disruption in advance of overt hair loss

Alopecia areata (AA) can be induced in C3H/HeJ mice by grafting full-thickness AA-affected skin. An 8- to 12-week delay between surgery and overt hair loss onset provides an opportunity to examine disease pathogenesis. Normal haired C3H/HeJ mice were sham-grafted or grafted with AA-affected skin. Mice were euthanatized 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks after surgery along with chronic AA-affected mice as a positive control. Until 6 weeks after grafting, inflammation was only evident around anagen-stage hair follicles in host skin adjacent to but not distant from the AA-affected graft. From 8 weeks on, AA-grafted but not sham-grafted mice exhibited a diffuse dermal inflammation at distant sites that progressively focused on anagen-stage hair follicles at 10 and 12 weeks. Perifollicular inflammation was primarily composed of CD4+ and CD8+ cells associated with follicular epithelium intercellular adhesion molecule -1 expression. Only CD8+ cells penetrated intrafollicularly by 12 weeks after surgery, although both CD4+ and CD8+ intrafollicular cells were observed in chronic AA-affected mice. Under electron microscopy, intrafollicular lymphocyte and macrophage infiltration associated with hair follicle dystrophy was prominent 10 weeks after surgery, primarily within the differentiating outer and inner root sheaths. This study shows that focal follicular inflammation develops some time in advance of overt hair loss and focuses on the differentiating root sheaths in C3H/HeJ mice. The severity of inflammation and the degree of hair follicle dystrophy induced by the infiltrate appear to reach a threshold level before overt hair loss occurs.     

Central roles for IL-2 and MCP-1 following intranasal exposure to SEB: a new mouse model

Murine models for bacterial superantigens like staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) have to date been rather cumbersome. The reasons include: (1) necessary use of potentiating agents such as actinomycin D, d-galactosamine, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), or viruses; (2) high toxin amounts required to elicit effects; and/or (3) generation of phenotypic-stable transgenic animals. Our study employed readily available C3H/HeJ (TLR4 negative, LPS-nonresponsive) mice with intranasal and intraperitoneal administration of low microgram quantities of SEB. These animals responded to SEB with severe lung inflammation and hypothermia, culminating in death. A survey of cytokines/chemokines in sera and lungs after lethal intoxication revealed that monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and interleukin-2 were associated with effects in this model. In contrast, SEB had minimal effects upon congenic (TLR4 positive, LPS-responsive) C3H/OuJ mice. Lethality of SEB in C3H/HeJ mice was neutralized with SEB-specific antibodies, suggesting potential utility of this model for future therapeutic studies.     

Duration of strain 2308 infection and immunogenicity of Brucella abortus lipopolysaccharide in five strains of mice

A study was conducted to compare immunogenicity of a Brucella abortus lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the duration of infection in 5 strains of mice. Mice of strains CBA/NJ, BALB/c, CD-1, C3H/HeN, and C3H/HeJ were allotted into 2 large groups (vaccinated with proteinase K-treated LPS or nonvaccinated) and 6 subgroups based on the intervals between challenge exposure to B abortus strain 2308 and the week the response data were obtained. Criteria used in comparing responses between the various strains of mice as well as between vaccinated and nonvaccinated mice were splenomegaly, colony-forming units (CFU) from spleens, and antibody titers. Responses were evaluated at 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, and 12 weeks after challenge exposure. Results indicated that all strains of mice became infected and maintained infection throughout the 12-week period, the percentages of mice infected were significantly (P less than 0.05) less in vaccinated mice for the first 5 weeks after challenge exposure, and there were no direct correlations between increased immunoglobulins (IgM and IgG titers) and reduction in CFU. Vaccinated mice of strains BALB/c, CD-1, C3H/HeN, and C3H/HeJ had increased titers when challenge exposed and also had significantly (P less than 0.05) smaller spleens and lower CFU. Vaccinated CBA/NJ mice did not have marked antibody titers. The overall results indicated that vaccination with LPS offers some initial protection against B abortus strain 2308 infection, but this protection disappears gradually and in various degrees in the 5 strains of mice studied.     

Effects of endotoxin on carbohydrate metabolism in inbred mice.

Effects of endotoxin on carbohydrate metabolism were studied in A/HeJ (endotoxin-sensitive) and C3H/HeJ (endotoxin-resistant) inbred mice. A/HeJ mice developed hypoglycemia within two hours after endotoxin injection, yet liver glycogen content did not differ from controls. Similarly treated C3H/HeJ mice did not develop significant hypoglycemia. Administration of glucagon to endotoxin-treated A/HeJ mice failed to elevate their blood glucose concentrations, while endotoxin-treated mice of the same strain did respond to dibutyryl cyclic AMP with a significant elevation of blood glucose. C3H/HeJ mice on the other hand responded to glucagon and dibutyryl cyclic AMP with elevated blood glucose. Endotoxin-treated C3H/HeJ but not A/HeJ mice were able to carry out gluconeogenesis induced by prednisolone, while both inbred strains showed active glycogenesis after administration of an exogenous glucose load. Administration of glucagon resulted in diminished liver glycogen concentrations in A/HeJ endotoxin-treated mice suggesting no impairment of glycogenolysis. The inability of endotoxin-treated A/HeJ mice to respond to glucagon could be due to impairment of gluconeogenesis. Although endotoxin interfered with the capacity of both inbred strains to respond to glucagon administration with elevation of liver cyclic AMP, the effect was significantly more severe in A/HeJ mice. The susceptibility of A/HeJ mice to the lethal effect of endotoxin may be related to the apparent sensitivity of carbohydrate metabolic pathways to disturbance by endotoxin.     

铜绿假单胞菌对TLR4缺失鼠的致病性研究

本研究旨在了解TLR4信号转导在铜绿假单胞菌感染所致急性肺损伤的发病机理中的作用.通过使用Tlr4基因突变致正常TLR4信号转导缺失的C3H/HeJ小鼠,评估TLR4信号转导在调节铜绿假单胞菌引起的急性肺损伤中的作用.选用6～8周龄、雄性、TLR4缺陷型(C3H/HeJ)和SPF级野生型(C3H/HeN)的小鼠各21只...     

Immune response of cattle to Haemophilus somnus lipid A-protein conjugate vaccine and efficacy in a mouse abortion model.

Immunogenicity of the lipid A component of Haemophilus somnus lipooligosaccharide in cattle and mice was examined after purification, detoxification, and covalent conjugation to a protein carrier. After 2 inoculations, a substantial antibody response was induced in most cattle to lipid A and the protein carrier. To determine whether antibodies to lipid A would be protective, 5 x 10(7) colony-forming units of H somnus strain 649 were administered IV to endotoxin-responsive (C3H/HeN) mice. In one study, 8 of 13 C3H/HeN mice aborted when inoculated. In contrast, abortion did not result when mice were inoculated with the same dose of an isolate of H somnus normally found in the prepuce or with the rough mutant Escherichia coli J5. In addition, endotoxin-nonresponsive (C3H/HeJ) mice were significantly (P = 0.03) more resistant to abortion by strain 649 than were C3H/HeN mice, but inoculated C3H/HeN mice were only slightly more resistant to H somnus abortion, compared with control mice. Although a large antibody response to lipid A was detected, there was no significant difference in the immunized group between mice that aborted and mice that delivered normally. Thus, lipooligosaccharide and other properties of virulent H somnus strains may contribute to abortion in mice.     

禽多杀性巴氏杆菌C48—1成熟外膜蛋白H重组亚单位疫苗免疫效果的研究

将融合表达禽多杀性巴氏杆菌成熟外膜蛋白H（OmpmH）的重组菌pGEX—ompmH／BL21大量培养，在最佳诱导条件下诱导表达，表达产物经蛋白酶剪切及亲和层析纯化，得到OmpmH基因的原核表达产物，将其与弗氏完全佐剂混合制成油乳剂亚单位疫苗，用该疫苗肌肉注射接种5周龄鸡，首免后每周采血检测抗体，二免后第2周用10LD50禽多杀性巴氏杆菌强毒菌株C48-1进行攻击。结果显示，OmpmH具有良好的免疫原性，能诱导鸡体产生特异性抗体，可抵抗强毒菌株C48-1的致死性攻击，免疫效果优于禽多杀性巴氏杆菌弱毒疫苗。     

Activation of murine macrophages and lymphocytes by Ureaplasma diversum.

Ureaplasma diversum is a pathogen in the bovine reproductive tract. The objective of the research was to study interactions with macrophages and lymphocytes which might elucidate aspects of pathogenetic mechanisms of this organism. We studied the activation of murine macrophages of C3H/HeN (LPS-responder) and C3H/HeJ (LPS-low-responder) genotype for TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-1 and nitric oxide production and blastogenic response of C3H/HeJ splenocytes after Ureaplasma diversum stimulation. Live and heat-killed U. diversum induced TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-1 in peritoneal macrophage cultures of both C3H/HeN and C3H/HeJ mice in a dose dependent manner. Interferon-gamma modulated the cytokine production, by increasing the production of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and nitric oxide, but IL-1 secretion was only enhanced in C3H/HeJ macrophages stimulated by live ureaplasmas. Supernatant of U. diversum sonicate was mitogenic for murine spleen lymphocytes. The blastogenic response was dose dependent, and stimulation with both U. diversum and Concanavalin A seemed to have an additive effect. These results suggest that U. diversum, similar to other mycoplasmas, activates murine macrophages and lymphoid cells. The studies should be repeated with bovine cells in order to elucidate pathogenetic aspects of inflammation in cattle caused by U. diversum.     

Co-delivery of IL-2 or liposomes augment the responses of mice to a DNA vaccine for pseudorabies virus IE180

Recently we have demonstrated, with a DNA vaccine, that the immediate early protein (IE180) of pseudorabies virus provides a moderate level of protection in mice. In order to improve its immunogenicity and protective capacity, this IE180 DNA vaccine was delivered to C3H/HeJ mice either in combination with an IL-2 expressing plasmid or complexed with cationic liposomes. Co-delivery of the vaccine and IL-2 DNA by gene gun resulted in seroconversion in 5/5 of the vaccinated mice after a single administration, whereas two intramuscular (i.m.) injections were required to achieve seroconversion in all mice. Antibody and delayed-type hypersensitivity responses were augmented in mice, which received the DNA vaccine and the IL-2 gene compared to those of mice receiving the DNA vaccine alone. In addition, the time of death after challenge was significantly delayed in mice, which received the IL-2 gene. The proportion of surviving mice (40%), however, was similar to that obtained in mice which received the vaccine alone by gene gun. Liposome-mediated vaccine delivery also resulted in a higher rate of seroconversion when compared with that induced by the naked DNA vaccine. Thus, all vaccinated mice seroconverted after either two i.v. or three i.m. injections of the liposome/DNA complex, with 40 and 25% of these mice being protected against challenge, respectively. These data support that co-administration of the IE180 DNA vaccine with the IL-2 gene or delivery in liposomes are two effective approaches to increase its immunogenicity.     

猪传染性胃肠炎华毒弱毒株纤突蛋白B、C抗原位点片段基因的克隆与序列分析

猪传染性胃肠炎华毒（TGEV H）是我国分离的代表毒株,H弱毒株是我国自行培育成功的具有良好免疫原性的疫苗株。应用RT－PCR方法扩增出1．3kb的目的片段,包括S基因的编码的B、C两个主要抗原位点的片段,目的片段与pUC19质粒载体进行连续,转化,鉴定后得到阳性重组质粒,命名为pTS1,将重组质粒插入的目的基因片段进行序列分析和比较,其结果表明TGEV H株和S基因5’端B、C位点片段1190bp的核苷酸序列与国外的TGEV毒株Miller、Purdue-115、FS772／70及台湾省TFI毒株序列均具有很高的同源性,达94．72以上。推导的氨基酸序列同源性为94．70％以上。编码抗原位点C的序列与其它毒株完全一致,但在B位点发生改变,即第97个氨基酸发生改变,由Trp突变为Ser。该核苷酸该片段全长1261bp,包括起始密码子ATG及基因间的共同序列ACTAAAC。本研究首次报道了国内的TGEV分离株－H弱毒株S基因的RT－PCR扩增及其编码的B、C抗原位点片段的分子克隆及序列分析,为进一步揭示TGEV强弱毒差别的分子机制、开展新型疫苗及进行分子诊断的研究奠定了重要基础。     

Prime-boost immunization with HA/C3d DNA followed by a recombinant pseudorabies virus boost enhanced protective immunity against H3N2 swine influenza virus in mice

DNA and recombinant virus vaccines against swine influenza virus (SIV) have been pursued with promising results, but induce poor immunogenicity. This study evaluated the effects of a vaccine regimen in mice including priming with three DNA vaccines expressing soluble HA (sHA), complete HA (tmHA), or sHA fused with three copies murine C3d (sHA-mC3d3) and boosting with recombinant pseudorabies virus expressing HA (rPRV-HA). Immune responses were monitored by ELISA, HI assays, and virus neutralization. Protective efficacy was evaluated by virus isolation from lungs, distribution in tissues, and pathology following challenge with H3N2 SIV. Priming with sHA-mC3d3 and boosting with rPRV-HA induced higher levels of HA-specific antibodies and yielded the most effective protection. This finding implied that priming with a DNA vaccine expressing C3d fused with antigen and boosting with a recombinant vector vaccine is an effective way to induce protective humoral immunity and prevent some infectious diseases.     

Cross-clade protection against HPAI H5N1 influenza virus challenge in BALB/c mice intranasally administered adjuvant-combined influenza vaccine

The avian H5N1 influenza virus has the potential to cause a new pandemic. The increasing number of recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in birds and humans emphasizes the urgent need to develop a potent H5N1 vaccine. Here, we studied the immunogenicity and protective effect of a vaccine prepared from H5N1 inactivated whole virus. This vaccine was intranasally co-administered in mice with phosphate buffered saline, recombinant cholera toxin B subunit (rCTB), cholera toxin (CT), rCTB containing a trace amount of holotoxin (rCTB/CT), polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid double-stranded RNA (polyI:C), or MF59 as an adjuvant. Intranasal administration of H5N1 inactivated whole virus vaccine with rCTB, CT, rCTB/CT, polyI:C, and MF59 elicited an immunological response with both secretory IgA (sIgA) in nasal, lung, and vaginal lavage, and IgG antibody in serum, showing protective immunity against lethal H5N1 infection. Cross-clade protection was also observed in animals immunized with a vaccine derived from Anhui/01/2005(H5N1) with rCTB, CT, rCTB/CT, polyI:C, or MF59 as adjuvants that were subsequently challenged with the A/OT/SZ/097/03 influenza strain.     

温岭草鸡GH基因多态性及其与生长和屠体性状的相关性研究

以温岭草鸡优质、中速和快大3个品系为试验材料,采用PCR-RFLP方法,研究其生长激素(GH)基因的多态性及其对生长和屠体性状的影响。结果表明:(1)PCR产物酶切得到AA、AB、BB、CC、AC和BC共6种基因型。优质系(Ⅰ)中,C基因频率最高,A基因频率最低;中速系(Ⅱ)中,各等位基因频率接近;快大系(Ⅲ)中,B基因频率最低,A、C基因频率接近。(2)3个品系PIC值均大于0.5,χ2检验显示3个品系中,6种基因型分布差异极显著(P<0.01);Hardy-Weinberg平衡检验表明,品系Ⅰ和Ⅱ符合平衡定律,品系Ⅲ不符合。(3)GLM分析表明,基因型对全净膛重、腿肌重和腹脂重影响显著(P值分别为0.039、0.047、0.016),对活重、屠体重、半净膛重及胸肌重影响不显著(P>0.05)。多重比较显示,BC基因型的活重、屠体重、半净膛重、全净膛重、胸肌重和腿肌重的平均值最大,AA基因型最小;BB基因型的腹脂重平均值最大,AA基因型最小,二者差异极显著(P<0.01)。     

Molecular cloning, sequencing, and expression of the outer membrane protein P2 gene of Haemophilus parasuis

Haemophilus parasuis is the etiological agent of Glässer’s disease characterized by fibrinous polyserositis, polyarthritis, and meningitis in young pigs. But it is difficult to develop universal serological diagnostic tools and effective vaccines against this disease because of the serovar diversity of the isolates. In this study, enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus-polymerase chain reaction, were performed to investigate the gene profile of 1 1 1 isolates of H. parasuis from China. And a specific common gene of H. parasuis was cloned and identified as the outer-membrane protein (OMP) P2 gene. Sequencing results of OMP P2 genes of 22 isolates showed that they had high homology and could be divided into 2 genetic types. Moreover, the OMP P2 protein was expressed in Escherichia coli expressing system. And the purified recombinant protein provided partial protection against H. parasuis infection in mice. It suggested the OMP P2 was an immunogenic protein and had great potential to serve as a vaccine and diagnostic antigen.     

A recombinant pseudorabies virus encoding the HA gene from H3N2 subtype swine influenza virus protects mice from virulent challenge

The hemagglutinin (HA) gene of A/Swine/Inner Mogolian/547/2001 (H3N2) swine influenza virus (SIV) was recombined into the genome of pseudorabies virus (PRV) Bartha-K61 vaccine strain, generating a recombinant PRV expressing the HA gene, designated as rPRV-HA. One group of 15 mice was inoculated intranasally (i.n.) with 10(5.0) PFU of rPRV-HA, and another two control groups of mice (15 mice per group) were mock-inoculated or inoculated with Bartha-K61. Mice inoculated with rPRV-HA developed hemagglutination inhibition antibodies 3 weeks post-inoculation. Twenty-eight days post-inoculation, all mice were challenged i.n. with 10(5.0) TCID50 of A/Swine/Heilongjiang/74/2000 (H3N2). No challenge virus was isolated from vaccinated mice, and mild pathological lesions were observed only in lungs following challenge. The results demonstrate that the recombinant rPRV-HA expressing the HA gene from H3N2 SIV can protect mice from heterologous virulent challenge, and may represent a candidate vaccine against SIV.     

表达猪圆环病毒2型衣壳蛋白的重组猪痘病毒的构建及鉴定

为探索猪痘病毒（swinepox virus,SWPV）作为猪圆环病毒2型（porcine circovirus type 2,PCV2）疫苗载体的可行性,本试验以痘苗病毒启动子P11启动绿色荧光蛋白筛选标记,猪痘病毒TK基因为外源基因的插入位点,P28、P7.5启动子启动PCV2 ORF2基因,以猪痘病毒JX20G株为亲本病毒,采用同源重组技术分别构建了两株表达PCV2衣壳蛋白的重组猪痘病毒rSWPV11-28C和rSWPV11-7.5C。结果显示,重组猪痘病毒rSWPV11-28C和rSWPV11-7.5C均成功表达了PCV2衣壳蛋白,表达的蛋白能与PCV2单克隆抗体6E12发生特异性反应;痘苗病毒启动子P28的启动效果明显优于P7.5,P28适合用于启动目的基因;利用重组猪痘病毒制备的PCV2灭活疫苗免疫小鼠后,rSWPV11-28C疫苗组的PCV2抗体水平与某PCV2商品疫苗相当,该重组病毒的成功构建为PCV2相关疾病及其他疫病在猪群中的防控提供了新的方向。     

重组鸡IL-2对禽流感灭活苗免疫增强作用试验

使用重组鸡白介素-2作为免疫佐剂,检测chIL-2对禽流感病毒H9亚型灭活疫苗的免疫增强作用。将1日龄的AA肉雏鸡,随机分为7组,每组10只,采用胸部肌肉注射方式进行免疫,对照组仅接种H9亚型禽流感灭活疫苗,试验组分别同时接种H9亚型禽流感灭活疫苗O．5mL和不同剂量（0．01mg-1mg）的鸡IL-2。每7d静脉采血,采用血凝和血凝抑制方法检测机体中抗体水平变化情况。结果表明,接种重组鸡IL-2的试验组动物能在2月内保持高抗体水平,且在免疫后第10周,其平均抗体水平仍高于疫苗对照组3．6个～4．5个滴度,表明了重组鸡IL-2蛋白对H9亚型禽流感灭活疫苗具有免疫增强作用。     

Novel expression of Haemonchus contortus vaccine candidate aminopeptidase H11 using the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

With the problem of parasitic nematode drug resistance increasing, vaccine development offers an alternative sustainable control approach. For some parasitic nematodes, native extracts enriched for specific proteins are highly protective. However, recombinant forms of these proteins have failed to replicate this protection. This is thought to be due to differences in glycosylation and/or conformation between native and recombinant proteins. We have exploited the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans to examine its suitability as an alternative system for recombinant expression of parasitic nematode vaccine candidates. We focussed on Haemonchus contortus aminopeptidase H11 glycoprotein, which is enriched in a gut membrane fraction capable of inducing significant protection against this important ovine gastrointestinal nematode. We show that H. contortus H11 expressed in C. elegans is enzymatically active and MALDI mass spectrometry identifies similar di- and tri-fucosylated structures to those on native H11, with fucose at the 3- and/or 6-positions of the proximal GlcNAc. Some glycan structural differences were observed, such as lack of LDNF. Serum antibody to native H11 binds to C. elegans recombinant H11 and most of the antibody to rH11 or native H11 is directed to glycan moieties. Despite these similarities, no reduction in worm burden or faecal egg count was observed following immunisation of sheep with C. elegans-expressed recombinant H11 protein. The findings suggest that the di- and tri-fucosylated N-glycans expressed on rH11 do not contribute to the protective effect of H11 and that additional components present in native H11-enriched extract are likely required for enhancing the antibody response necessary for protection.     

口蹄疫病毒P1-2A和3C蛋白重组腺病毒的构建及其免疫原性研究

为研制口蹄疫病毒(FMDV)的新型重组腺病毒疫苗,本研究通过RT-PCR扩增FMDV GD株3C、P1、P1-2A、L-P1和L-2A基因,分别构建重组腺病毒穿梭质粒,并在含有腺病毒骨架质粒pAdEasy-1的BJ5183E.coli中同源重组获得腺病毒重组质粒pAd-3C、pAd-P1、pAd-P1-2A、pAd-L-P1、pAd-L-2A,经PacⅠ线性化后转染AD-293细胞,获得含有目的基因的重组腺病毒。将具有感染能力的复制缺陷型重组腺病毒rAd-3C分别与rAd-P1、rAd-P1-2A、rAd-L-P1、rAd-L-2A共感染Vero细胞,裂解细胞收集细胞上清液并进行小鼠免疫试验。经ELISA检测表明,重组腺病毒rAd-3C分别与rAd-P1-2A、rAd-L-2A共感染Vero细胞上清液能够诱导小鼠产生特异性体液免疫应答。