Purification and analyses of the specificity of two putative diagnostic antigens for larval cyathostomin infection in horses

Cyathostomins are important equine gastrointestinal parasites. Mass emergence of mucosal stage larvae causes a potentially fatal colitis. Mucosal stages are undetectable non-invasively. An assay that would estimate mucosal larval stage infection would greatly assist in treatment, control and prognosis. Previously, we identified two putative diagnostic antigens (20 and 25 kDa) in somatic larval preparations. Here, we describe their purification and antigen-specific IgG(T) responses to them. Western blots confirmed the purity of the antigens and showed that epitopes in the 20 kDa complex were specific to larval cyathostomins. No cross-reactive antigens appeared to be present in Parascaris equorum or Strongyloides westeri species. Low levels of cross-reactivity were observed in Strongylus edentatus and Strongylus vulgaris species. Use of purified antigens greatly reduced background binding in equine sera. These results indicate that both antigen complexes may be of use in a diagnostic assay.     

New gene-based approaches for an AIDS vaccine

Vaccine approaches against AIDS have focused on inducing cellular immune responses, since many studies revealed the role of T cell responses in the control of human immunodeficiency virus or simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infections. The experimental infection of rhesus macaques with SIV or chimeric SHIV is routinely used as a model for AIDS. In such models, DNA immunization is a tool to elicit specific T cell responses and to study their protective efficacy. DNA immunogenicity in primates depends on parameters such as level of antigen expression, choice of the antigen among SIV proteins, use of fusion proteins, route of immunization, and addition of adjuvants. Recent results suggest that priming with DNA and boosting with attenuated recombinant viral vectors, each expressing corresponding SIV antigens, leads to improved specific immunity and, in some cases, affords protection against pathogenic challenge. After preclinical evaluations, DNA has entered clinical trials for a therapeutic or prophylactic gene-based AIDS vaccine.     

Fundamentals of host immune response against Brucella abortus: what the mouse model has revealed about control of infection

The studies reviewed here evaluated the role cellular immune system components play in control of brucellosis by conducting comparative studies with brucella-resistant C57BL/10 or C57BL/6 mice and susceptible BALB/c mice. We have shown by both in vitro and in vivo studies that activation of macrophages with interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) is an important factor for control of infection with B. abortus in the mouse model and that the mechanism of anti-brucella activity largely involved reactive oxygen intermediates. Differences in control of the organism by resistant and susceptible mice was not related to inherent differences in the ability of their macrophages to control infection either with or without IFN-γ activation nor was it attributable to NK cells since we found no role for them in control of brucellosis in either mouse strain. However, relative resistance to brucellosis did correlate with increased production of IFN-γ by CD4 T cells during the first weeks after infection while IL-10 contributed to susceptibility in BALB/c mice. Moreover, by 3 weeks post-infection splenocytes from the susceptible BALB/c mice failed to produce IFN-γ and relied on TNF- as well as CD8 T cells to control infection until the end of the plateau phase around 6 weeks post-infection when IFN-γ production resumed and clearance began. In contrast, IFN-γ was crucial for control throughout the infection in the more resistant C57BL/6 mice and the mice died in its absence by 6 weeks post-infection compared to 12 weeks for the more susceptible mice that relied on additional mechanisms of control. In contrast to the IFN-γ knock-out mice, both β2 microglobulin knock-out C57BL/6 mice, which do not express conventional MHC class I molecules and thus cannot present antigen to CD8 T cells, or perforin knock-out C57BL/6 mice, which have no T cell cytotoxic activity, controlled and cleared the infection as well as normal C57BL/6 mice. The hiatus of IFN-γ production in BALB/c mice correlated with very high levels of total IL-12 and it was postulated that the lack of IFN-γ was a consequence of p40 homodimer blocking activity. However, reduction of p40 IL-12 in vivo through administration of indomethacin reduced the infection without a concomitant measurable increase in IFN-γ. Current studies are aimed at elucidating the mechanism of the IFN-γ hiatus.     

Organic Seed-treatment as a Substitute for Chemical Seed-treatment to Control Common Bunt of Wheat

Common bunt of wheat, caused by Tilletia laevis and T. tritici, is a major seed and soil-borne disease in West Asia and North Africa. The use of resistant cultivars and chemical seed-treatments are the current control measures used to combat this disease. The aim of this study was to investigate alternative control measures to chemical seed-treatments that are environmentally friendly to support cultivar resistance. Several organic nutrients [skimmed milk powder, hucket (local skimmed milk) and wheat flour] at a concentration of 160g per kg of seeds were used as seed-treatments on two susceptible bread and durum wheat cultivars (Bau and Sebou, respectively) to examine their effectiveness in controlling the disease. Field trials over four years showed that skimmed milk powder, hucket, and wheat flour reduced common bunt infection levels by 96%, 93% and 62%, respectively. In most cases, the effectiveness of the skimmed milk powder and hucket was equal to the chemical seed-treatment; thus, these organic nutrients offer an effective and environmentally safe alternative to chemical treatments. However, a study of their economic value as well as of their effect on seed germination, and field emergence is needed.     

鸡缩胆囊素(CCK)在T4噬菌体表面的展示及免疫原性研究

采用T4噬菌体表面展示系统，将CCK-33肽四多串联体及八多串联体展示在T4噬菌体表面，并研究其免疫原性。将CCK四串联体和八串联体与SOC基因缺失的、依赖溶菌酶的噬菌体ФT4-Z1重组，获得重组噬菌体CT-4CCK和西T-8CCK。SDS-PAGE和Western Blot检测结果表明，CCK多串联体蛋白已经成功展示在T4噬菌体表面，其融合蛋白分子量约30ku和41ku，能够与CCK标准阳性血清发生特异性反应。以重组噬菌体为免疫原制备油佐剂疫苗主动免疫胡须肉鸡后，抗体浓度显著升高，肉鸡的体重、采食量都有所提高，而料肉比有所下降。结果说明，鸡CCK蛋白展示在T4噬菌体表面具有良好的免疫原性。     

毒害艾美耳球虫初次感染雏鸡免疫器官IL-2和淋巴细胞增殖功能变化

应用组织匀浆涂片和酸性α-醋酸萘酯酶（ANAE）染色及细胞培养技术和四甲基偶氮唑盐（MTT）测定法对毒害艾美耳球虫（eimeria necatrix，E．necatrix）初次感染雏鸡免疫器官的T细胞比例、白细胞介素-2（interleukin-2，IL-2）诱生活性、T细胞和B细胞对ConA或PMA的增殖功能的动态变化进行了较全面系统的研究。结果发现，E．necatrix初次感染雏鸡，其胸腺和脾脏T细胞比例分别于感染后7～21d和7～24d明显高于对照雏鸡；IL-2诱生活性分别于感染后16～18d和18～21d较对照雏鸡显著升高；T细胞对ConA的增殖反应分别在感染后14～16d和10～18d明显增加。法氏囊和脾脏B细胞对PMA的增殖反应分别于感染后14～24d和14～21d显著高于对照雏鸡。表明E．necatrix初次感染雏鸡免疫器官的IL-2调节及细胞免疫和体液免疫功能均明显提高。     

精子受精抗原-1(FA-1) mRNA在绵羊睾丸和附睾中的表达

本研究通过RT-PCR检测了该基因在绵羊睾丸和附睾中的表达情况。首先,提取绵羊睾丸组织、附睾头、体、尾部组织总RNA,以此为模板,反转录合成cDNA,自行设计引物,PCR扩增出462 bp的目的DNA。然后,将目的片断克隆入T载体,通过菌液PCR和重组质粒酶切,鉴定重组质粒中的目的DNA。再经序列分析鉴定目的片断。同时,以β-actin为内参照物,进行RT-PCR半定量分析,比较精子受精抗原(FA-1)在睾丸、附睾头、体、尾组织中的表达量。结果表明,FA-1在绵羊睾丸和附睾中均表达。     

奶牛附红细胞体和伊氏锥虫二重PCR诊断方法的建立

为建立奶牛附红细胞体和伊氏锥虫两种病原诊断方法并探索二者之间在奶牛感染中的关系,本研究针对两病原分别设计两对特异性引物,建立了奶牛附红细胞体和伊氏锥虫感染的二重PCR诊断方法,其扩增片段大小分别为415bp和237bp。敏感性试验和特异性试验表明,附红细胞体和伊氏锥虫的DNA的最低检测量为0.154pg和0.105pg;与猪肺炎支原体、大肠杆菌、葡萄球菌、鸡艾美耳球虫、牛双芽巴贝斯虫无交叉反应。35份临床血样检测结果为:奶牛附红细胞体阳性率22.89%,伊氏锥虫阳性率8.89%,其中共感染率为2.89%。临床试验表明,该方法可用于奶牛附红细胞体和伊氏锥虫的诊断,特别适用于早期诊断。     

Effect of protein kinase C signal pathway on resistin expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

AIM：To investigate the effect of protein kinase C on resistin expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.METHODS：The differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes were incubated with 50 nmol/L phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) or 5 μmol/L Ro-31-8220 for 24 h.Expression of resistin mRNA was detected by RT-PCR and expression of resistin protein was detected by Western blotting.RESULTS：Compared with control,PMA increased the expression of resistin mRNA and protein in 3T3-L1 adipocytes significantly (P<0.01),while Ro-31-8220 decreased the expression of resistin mRNA and protein in 3T3-L1 adipocytes obviously (P<0.01).CONCLUSION：Protein kinase C signal pathway may regulate resistin expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.     

粉碎粒度对粗蛋白测定结果的影响

将同一饲料样品按4分法缩分为3份，1份按GB／T6432-94制备样品，另2份过20目和40目筛片粉碎制备样品，按姜懋武提出的改进方法测定粗蛋白（CP），研究样品的粉碎粒度对CP测定结果的影响。结果表明，不同粉碎粒度制备样品测定的CP结果，不同饲料样品间没有表现出相同的规律。在测定的11个样品中，只有3个样品（仔猪前期颗粒料、生长育肥猪浓缩料和肉用仔鸡后期颗粒料）的CP测定值不受粉碎粒度变化的影响（P〉0．05），其他8个样品的CP测定值均受饲料粉碎粒度的影响（P〈0．05或P〈0．01），但不同品种间表现的规律不尽相同。玉米、小麦和大豆等籽实类饲料原料，除玉米20目和40目间无显著差异外，其余不同粉碎粒度间均表现出差异极显著。饼粕类饲料原料中，豆粕与棉粕60目组极显著高于20目和40目组，20目和40目组间差异不显著；花生粕与菜粕20目组显著高于40目和60目组。肉用仔鸡后期浓缩料40目和60目极显著高于20目，40目和60目间差异不显著。