Cloning,Expression of Clostridium perfringens α-toxin Gene and Preparation of its Antisera

One pair of primers had been designed and synthesized based on the α-toxin gene of Clostridium perfringens.The complete α-toxin gene fragment was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and then was cloned into pGEM-T Easy vector to construct pGEM-T-α.Digested with EcoRⅠ and Hind Ⅲ, a fragment of 1125 bp was cloned into the expression plasmid vector pET-28a(+).The recombinant plasmid was transformed into the BL21(DE3)plys and induced by 1.0 mmol/L IPTG at 37 ℃.The expression product was found to be 46.1 ku as expected one identified by SDS-PAGE, and confirmed by Western blotting with Clostridium perfringens type A antisera, indicating similar reactivity with native α-toxin.Recombinant α-toxin protein was simultaneously found in culture supernatant, postsonic supertanant and inclusion bodies, most protein was expressed in inclusion bodies, which indicated recombinant α-toxin protein was expressed in the extracellular, periplasm and cytoplasm.Recombinant α-toxin protein in postsonic supertanant could not make mice die, indicating its non-toxicity.Toxin-antitoxin neutralization test showed that antisera of recombinant α-toxin protein were specific to α-toxin.Upon immunization of rabbit with the recombinant α-toxin protein, antisera with high antibody titer neutralizing 100 MLD toxin per 1 mL were prepared.     

A role for the Clostridium perfringens beta2 toxin in bovine enterotoxaemia?

Non-enterotoxigenic type A Clostridium perfringens are associated with bovine enterotoxaemia, but the alpha toxin is not regarded as responsible for the production of typical lesions of necrotic and haemorrhagic enteritis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the putative role of the more recently described beta2 toxin. Seven hundred and fourteen non-enterotoxigenic type A C. perfringens isolated from 133 calves with lesions of enterotoxaemia and high clostridial cell counts (study population) and 386 isolated from a control population of 87 calves were tested by a colony hybridisation assay for the beta2 toxin. Two hundred and eighteen (31%) C. perfringens isolated from 83 calves (62%) of the study population and 113 (29%) C. perfringens isolated from 51 calves (59%) of the control population tested positive with the beta2 probe. Pure and mixed cultures of four C. perfringens (one alpha+beta2+, one alpha+enterotoxin+ and two alpha+) were tested in the ligated loop assay in one calf. Macroscopic haemorrhages of the intestinal wall, necrosis and haemorrhages of the intestinal content, and microscopic lesions of necrosis and polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cell infiltration of the intestinal villi were more pronounced in loops inoculated with the alpha and beta2-toxigenic C. perfringens isolate. These results suggest in vivo synergistic role of the alpha and beta2 toxins in the production of necrotic and haemorrhagic lesions of the small intestine in cases of bovine enterotoxaemia. However, isolation of beta2-toxigenic C. perfringens does not confirm the clinical diagnosis of bovine enterotoxaemia and a clostridial cell counts must still be performed.     

The occurrence of cpb2-toxigenic Clostridium perfringens and the possible role of the β2-toxin in enteric disease of domestic animals,wild animals and humans

The virulence of Clostridium perfringens, a bacterium causing enteritis and enterotoxaemia in domestic and wild animals and humans, results largely from its ability to produce toxins. In 1997, an unknown toxin of C. perfringens, the β2-toxin, and its encoding gene cpb2 were described. Since that time numerous studies have been published dealing with a possible association of cpb2-harbouring strains of C. perfringens and the occurrence of enteric disease in domestic and wild animals and humans. This article offers an overview of the current literature on the spread and pathological significance of cpb2-harbouring C. perfringens. Unambiguous conclusions on the prevalence of cpb2 and the contribution of β2-toxin to the disease cannot be drawn from existing studies but in some animal species a strong correlation between the presence of cpb2-harbouring C. perfringens, the β2-toxin and enteric disease has been reported.     

Induction and characterization of swine β interferon

Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) strain “H” and Polyinosinic-Polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C) were used for interferon (IFN) induction in secondary pig kidney cells. A functional IFN system was detected and characterized. A wide similarity with the correspondent human and bovine systems was appreciated, with particular regard to the kinetics of synthesis. A glycosylated protein was essential for activity in bovine cells, but not in swine cells. Poly I:C proved to be a very weak inducer, even in conditions which promote IFN synthesis in other cell substrata. β IFN from secondary pig kidney cells was very effective against Swine Vesicular Disease Virus (SVDV), whereas no activity was detected against porcine Rotavirus; Aujeszky's disease virus, BUK strain, proved to be of intermediate sensitivity. The results of these latter experiments are discussed, with regard to the cells used and to the IFN sensitivity of the tested viruses.     

Construction and High Level Expression of Prokaryotic Expression Vector of Pig Interferon-δ Gene

Interferon (IFN) had recieved much more attention because of its broad-spectrum antiviral, antitumor activity and immune regulation.One pair of primers were designed for amplifying pig IFN-δ gene with PCR method according to the relevant sequence from GenBank.The IFN-δ gene was cloned into prokaryotic expression vector, and the recombinant plasmid was obtained.We transformed the recombinant plasmid into E.coli Transetta BL21(DE3) strain and the protein expression was identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting.The results showed that pET-30a-DsbA-IFN-δ recombinant protein was 20 ku and expressed mainly in the form of inclusion body, these expressed protein could specific react with His-tag monoclonal antibody.     

Individual and combined effects of t‐2 toxin and das in laying hens

1. The individual and combined effects of T‐2 toxin and 4,15‐diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS) on laying hens were investigated in an experiment consisting of a 2 X 2 completely randomised factorial design with dietary concentrations of 0 and 2 mg/kg T‐2 toxin and 0 and 2 mg/kg DAS.

2. Individually, T‐2 toxin and DAS induced oral lesions in half of the hens and decreased significantly egg production and food intake.

3. The effects of T‐2 toxin and DAS were additive for reduced food consumption and incidence of oral lesions. However, a synergism for reduced egg production was observed during the last experimental period.

4. No effects on body weight were observed during this study. Mild changes in selected plasma enzymes activities and no change in liver malondialde‐hyde content were detected.

5. The combination of T‐2 toxin and DAS was more toxic than the single mycotoxins, for some parameters, and therefore, may pose a greater economic threat to the poultry industry than either of the toxins individually.     

Tissue Expression Profile and Differential Expression of LTβR Gene in Sutai Piglets of Different Ages

Dynamic changes of LTβR expression levels in 11 tissues (heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, stomach, muscle, thymus, lymph node, duodenum and jejunum) of Sutai piglets ranging from newborn to post-weaning days 8, 18, 30, and 35 were compared and analyzed by the Real-time PCR method, which aimed to provide theoretical basis for further investigate the relationship between LTβR gene and pathogenicity of E.coli F18.The results revealed that the LTβR expression levels were higher in the liver, spleen, lung, kidney, stomach, lymph node, duodenum and jejunum, and showed obvious age-dependent expression differentiation.The LTβR expression levels in the lymph node, duodenum, and jejunum were extremely significant higher in 8 days old piglets than in the other age stages (P<0.01), and the expression levels were extremely significantly higher in the lungs of 8 days old piglets than in 35 days old piglets (P<0.01) and significantly higher than 30 days old piglets (P<0.05).In the liver tissue, the expression level was extremely significant higher in 35 days old piglets than in other age stages (P<0.01).In the stomach tissue, the expression level was significantly higher in 35 days old piglets than in 18 days old piglets (P<0.05).The results speculated that intestinal immune barrier of piglets formed rapidly around 8 days old and the higher LTβR expression could contribute to the resistance to E.coli F18.     

Effect of β -glucanase and xylanase supplementation of barley- and rye-based diets on caecal microbiota of broiler chickens

1. The aim was to investigate the effect of grain type (barley or rye) and exogenous enzymes (β-glucanase or xylanase) on the composition of chicken caecal microbiota as examined by classical culturing and molecular techniques (fluorescent in-situ hybridisation (FISH) and terminal-restriction fragment-length polymorphism (T-RFLP)). 2. Plate counting revealed higher total numbers of anaerobic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria and yeasts in caecal contents of birds fed with rye-based diets than in birds fed with barley-based diets. 3. As assessed by FISH analysis, the most abundant bacterial groups in the broiler caeca were Clostridium coccoides-Eubacterium rectale followed by Bacteroides sp., Lactobacillus sp./Enterococcus sp., Bifidobacterium sp. and Enterobacteriaceae. For both cereal types, the enzyme supplementation significantly decreased the relative amount of Enterobacteriaceae. 4. The T-RFLP profiles indicated that the caecal microbiota of birds receiving rye-based diets was more diverse than that of birds fed on barley-based diets. 5. Irrespective of the method applied, the results indicate that the cereal type as well as the exogenous enzyme supplementation influence the microbiota in broiler chicken caeca, and may have the effect of reducing potentially pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae populations.     

Toluene Exposure Leads to a Change in Expression Patterns of β Defensins in the Mouse Tracheal Epithelium

Defensins are generally implicated in the quick resistance of epithelial surfaces to microbials; however, recent reports have indicated that defensins also have unknown purposes in relation to noninfectious diseases. In this study, the localization patterns of anti-microbial peptides, β defensins (BDs), in the tracheal epithelium of male C3H mice under exposure to toluene were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Mice were exposed one to ten times to toluene for 30 min by nose-only inhalation. Expression of BDs was revealed by immunohistochemistry in serial sections of trachea after the final exposure. Expression of BD-1 was usually observed at almost the same levels in all exposure groups, and expression of BD-2 was observed in the control group; however, the signals for BD-2 decreased gradually with frequency of exposure. In the group exposed ten times, expression of BD-2 decreased to far lower than that of the control group. No expression of BD-3 was detected in any groups. Interestingly, expression of BD-4 increased to the maximum in the group exposed four times and decreased to a level lower than that of the control in the group exposed ten times. The results of the present study indicated that toluene gas might change the expression pattern of BDs in the tracheal epithelial cells. The oscillation of expression of BD-4 was quite characteristic and might contribute to morphological damage in on the epithelial cells.     

Construction of Eukaryotic Expression Vector of Chicken MHCⅠα and β2m Genes and Its Expression in 293T Cells

To explore the mechanism of MHCⅠ molecule in immune response,chicken MHCⅠα and β₂m genes were cloned by PCR.Then the fragments were inserted into the eukaryotic expression vector with fluorescent protein,and the recombinant plasmids pEGFP-MHCⅠα and pmCherry-MHCⅠβ₂m were constructed.The recombinant plasmids were transfected into 293T cell with lipofectin reagent.The gene products of recombinant plasmids were mainly located to endomembrane system of the cells by fluorescence microscopy,and changed the intracellular localization of the fusion with the fluorescent protein.Moreover,the positive reactions were observed by the method of Western blotting,and the proteins had the molecular weight of 68.3 and 41.3 ku,respectively,in accord with the target proteins.The results showed that the recombinant plasmids were expressed in 293T cells with a good immunological activity,and the proteins had the binding reaction with specific antibodies.     

Effect of Discontinuous Administration of β -glucan and Glycyrrhizin on the Growth and Immunity of Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus Vannamei

A six-week growth trial was conducted to compare the effects of different feeding strate- gies of dietary immunostimulants on the growth and immunity of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei （4.70 ±0.20g）. Shrimps were fed with diet containing glycyrrhizin continuously, containing β -glucan continuously, discontinuously （seven days with diet containing β -gluseven days with diet without -glucan; two days with diet containing β-glucan following five days with diet without -glucan）,     

Leptin Reduces the Inhibitory Effect of IL-1 β on β-Casein Gene Expression in Differentiated Mammary Cells

Veterinary Research Communications -     

Molecular detection of Shiga toxin–producing and antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli isolates from buffaloes in southwest of Iran

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Three hundred fifteen bacteriological samples were obtained from feces and both external and visceral cavity surfaces of carcasses of 105 healthy buffalo...     

Characterization of Shiga toxin – producing Escherichia coli infections in beef feeder calves and the effectiveness of a prebiotic in alleviating Shiga toxin - producing Escherichia coli infections

Background

In the less-sensitive mouse model, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) challenges result in shedding that reflect the amount of infection and the expression of virulence factors such as Shiga toxins (Stx). The purpose of this study was to characterize the contribution of STEC diversity and Stx expression to shedding in beef feeder calves and to evaluate the effectiveness of a prebiotic, Celmanax®, to alleviate STEC shedding. Fecal samples were collected from calves at entry and after 35 days in the feedlot in spring and summer. STECs were evaluated using selective media, biochemical profile, serotyping and Stx detection. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measures ANOVA and logistic regression.

Results

At entry, non-O157 STEC were dominant in shedding calves. In spring, 21%, 14% and 14% of calves acquired O157, non-O157 and mixed STEC infections, respectively. In contrast, 45%, 48% and 46% of calves in summer acquired O157, non-O157 and mixed STEC infections, respectively. Treatment with a prebiotic, Celmanax®, in spring significantly reduced 50% of the O157 STEC infections, 50% of the non-O157 STEC infections and 36% of the STEC co-infections (P = 0.037). In summer, there was no significant effect of the prebiotic on STEC infections. The amount of shedding at entry was significantly related to the number and type of STECs present and Stx expression (r² = 0.82). The same relationship was found for shedding at day 35 (r² = 0.85), but it was also related to the number and type of STECs present at entry. Stx - producing STEC infections resulted in 100 to 1000 × higher shedding in calves compared with Stx-negative STECs.

Conclusions

STEC infections in beef feeder calves reflect the number and type of STECs involved in the infection and STEC expression of Stx. Application of Celmanax® reduced O157 and non-O157 STEC shedding by calves but further research is required to determine appropriate dosages to manage STEC infections.     

Expression and distribution of intermediate-filament proteins and laminin during the development of the bovine Müllerian duct

The expression pattern of several intermediate-filament proteins (vimentin, cytokeratin 8, 18 and 19) and the basal lamina component laminin was investigated in the Wolffian and the Müllerian ducts of bovine embryos and fetuses. The material studied comprised sexually undifferentiated stages [crown-rump length (CRL) 0.9 cm/1.0 cm/1.2 cm/1.9 cm/2.5 cm] and female stages (CRL 3.0 cm/4.2 cm/5.1 cm). Laminin could be demonstrated in the basal lamina of the developing Wolffian and Müllerian duct as well as in the stroma surrounding the Müllerian duct. The intermediate-filament protein vimentin was expressed in the mesothelium of the funnel field and in the epithelium of the Müllerian duct in all studied specimens, whereas the epithelial cells of the Wolffian duct only showed vimentin expression from a CRL of 2.2 cm onwards. In the cranial part of the Müllerian ducts only a few cells stained with pan-cytokeratin antibodies, whereas mesothelium and epithelium of the Wolffian duct showed as distinct immunostaining in all investigated stages. Both genital ducts showed no immunostaining with the antibody against cytokeratin 19 at any time of development. We conclude from our immunohistochemical results that the epithelial cells of the Wollfian duct do not contribute cells to the developing Müllerian duct.     

Expression of α1-acid glycoprotein and lipopolysaccharide binding protein in visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue of dairy cattle

Adipose tissue is an endocrine compartment that plays an important role in immune defence by producing and releasing a wide range of proteins, including acute phase proteins (APPs). The liver is the main organ of APP synthesis, although extrahepatic production has also been reported. In the present study, expression of two APPs in dairy cattle, lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) and α1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), was determined in four visceral (pericardial, mesenteric, omental and retroperitoneal) and three subcutaneous (withers, tail head and sternum) adipose tissue depots. mRNA expression was evaluated using qualitative and quantitative PCR, protein profiles were assessed by Western blot analysis and cellular localisation was determined by immunohistochemistry. The presence of LBP and AGP was demonstrated at mRNA and protein levels in all seven adipose tissue depots. Expression of AGP and LBP suggests that they may have roles as local and systemic inflammatory adipokines.     

Truncated Expression and Activity Detection of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus S Protein，and Preparation of its Polyclonal Antibody

In order to highly express S protein of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) and prepare its specific polyclonal antibody,the main antigen region of S gene was amplified by PCR method,subcloned into pET30a(+) prokaryotic expression vector,transformed into BL21(DE3) expression bacteria,and induced by IPTG.The recombinant S protein was purified by affinity chromatography,its activity was detected by Western blotting,New Zealand White rabbits were immuned using the recombinant S protein to prepare polyclonal antibody,and detection of the antibody titer by indirect ELISA was conducted. After BamHⅠ/HindⅢ double enzyme digestion, we obtained pET30a-S recombinant plasmid,with induction of 1 mmol/L IPTG for 4 h,the recombinant S protein were expressed in inclusion body form,after purification and Western blotting,the protein showed good activity and specificity,antibody titer of polyclonal antibody against S protein was 1∶25600 detected by indirect ELISA. In this study PEDV S protein was successfully truncated expressed and its polyclonal antibody was also prepared,which layed a foundation for further development of rapid immunology detection kit of porcine epidemic diarrhea,and provided a condition for the study of structure and function of S protein and identification of the antigenic epitopes.     

Expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and vascular density in mammary adenomas and adenocarcinomas in bitches

Background

The study aimed at examining hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)1α expression in adenocarcinomas and adenomas in bitches in regard to tumour malignancy grade, proliferation, apoptosis and vascularisation. Therefore, paraffin sections of 15 adenomas and 64 adenocarcinomas sampled from 79 dogs aged 6 to 16 years were analysed.

Results

A significantly higher HIF-1α expression was noted in adenocarcinomas in comparison to adenomas (P < 0.0004). Moreover, HIF-1α expression in adenocarcinomas correlated positively with tumour malignancy grade (r = 0.59, P < 0.05), Ki-67 antigen expression (r = 0.43; P < 0.0005), TUNEL-positive cells (r = 0.62, P < 0001) and tumour vascularity measured by quantification of vessels characterized by the expression of von Willebrand Factor (r = 0.57, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Results of this study indicate a similar biological role of HIF-1α in dogs and in humans, which may confirm suitability of the animal model in investigations on progression of tumours in humans.