Immunobiotic Lactobacillus strains augment NLRP3 expression in newborn and adult porcine gut-associated lymphoid tissues

We isolated cDNA encoding porcine nucleotide-binding domain-like receptor family, pryin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) from Peyer's patches. The complete nucleotide open reading frame of porcine NLRP3 contains 3108-bp encoding a deduced polypeptide of 1036-amino acid residues. The porcine NLRP3 amino acid sequence is more similar to the longest isoform of human than the mouse counterpart. The predicted amino acid sequence of porcine NLRP3 presented nine C-terminal leucine-rich repeat domains. In newborn swine, the expression of NLRP3 was detected at higher levels in spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes, while lower levels were observed in intestinal tissues. In adult swine, NLRP3 was strongly expressed in Peyer's patches and the mesenteric lymph nodes, and the expression level in the lower intestinal tissues was comparable to that in spleen. Toll-like receptor and nucleotide-binding domain ligands, as well as Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Lactobacillus gasseri, enhanced NLRP3 expression in gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALT) of newborn and adult swine. Our results should aid in understanding the intestinal immunoregulatory mechanisms underlying NLRP3 activation and the priming ability of immunobiotic lactic acid bacteria in porcine GALT.     

Gene organization, alternate splicing and expression pattern of porcine visfatin gene

Visfatin is a newly discovered visceral fat-specific adipocytokine. It is upregulated in obesity and exerts insulin-mimetic effects in various tissues in human and mouse. We reported here the cloning and characterization of porcine visfatin, its three alternate splicing variants. Sequence analysis indicated that variant 1 is the predominant form among species, which contains an open reading frame of 1473 bp encoding a 52-kDa protein of 491 amino acids. While the other two variants were predicted to encode two 3' truncated proteins due to early termination. The nucleotide and amino acid sequences deduced from variant 1 were conservative across species. The porcine visfatin gene was composed of 11 exons at least and had exactly the same exon/intron structure as the human orthologs. Nested PCR showed that variants 1 and 3 were ubiquitously expressed in porcine tissues and that variant 2 was expressed in most tissues examined with exception of testis and liver. The discovery of the three variants of visfatin in porcine would be useful to the further investigation of the function of the visfatin gene.     

肽聚糖识别蛋白研究进展

肽聚糖识别蛋白(PGRPs)是一类可识别肽聚糖和含肽聚糖的细菌的模式识别受体,在天然免疫应答中发挥着重要的识别和调节功能.机体通过有限的模式识别受体迅速识别大量不同的病原微生物,进行及时有效的初步防御.近年来,学者们对昆虫和哺乳动物PGRPs已有一定程度的研究,成功地克隆出多个PGRPs基因.对肽聚糖识别蛋白的认识,揭开了天然免疫系统研究的新篇章,对于了解整个免疫系统的反应机制有重要意义.文章就PGRPs基因、结构、表达、功能及进化等方面做了简述.     

SI与APP、PRRS、PCV－2和Mhyo交叉感染的血清学调查

对甘肃省健康规模猪场和发病（非流感）规模猪场进行H1N1和H3N2猪流感（SI）感染抗体检测,健康规模猪场H1N1SI和H3N2SI混合感染抗体阳性率为25．45％（28／110）;发病（非流感）规模猪场H1N1SI和H3N2SI混合感染抗体阳性率为25．97％（20／77）。对两个规模猪场1、6、7和10月份的抗体检测结果,平均抗体阳性率分别为21．27％、56．14％、75％和15．62％。H1N1和／或H3N2SI阳性猪场猪传染性胸膜肺炎（APP）、猪繁殖与呼吸综合征（PARS）、猪圆环病毒病（PCV-2）和猪支原体肺炎（Mhyo）感染抗体平均阳性率依次分别为50．79％、40．32％、43．82％和33．33％;猪传染性胸膜肺炎（APP）免疫抗体平均保护率为49．5％,猪繁殖与呼吸综合征（PRRS）、猪圆环病毒病（PCV-2）和猪支原体肺炎（Mhyo）免疫抗体阳性率依次分别为56．52％、47．92％和38．04％。     

Full genome sequence and analysis of Indian swine hepatitis E virus isolate of genotype 4

The full-length genomic sequence of an Indian swine hepatitis E virus (HEV) isolate (IND-SW-00-01) recovered from feces of a pig experimentally infected with swine HEV pool from western India was determined. The genome consisted of 7,240 nucleotides, excluding the poly (A) tail of at least 22 residues and contained three open reading frames (ORFs), ORF-1 encoding 1,707 amino acids, ORF-2 encoding 674 amino acids and ORF-3 encoding 114 amino acids. Comparative full-length genome sequence and phylogenetic analyses suggested that the Indian swine HEV represents a distinct variant among the genotype 4 isolates with a divergence of 15-16.6%. Analyses based on ORF-1, 2 and 3 as well as partial ORF-2 (227 nucleotides) yielded similar results. As compared to type 4 HEV isolates, 26 unique amino acid substitutions were recorded, 16 in ORF-1, 8 in ORF-2 and 2 in ORF-3. IND-SW-00-01 showed insertion of 'C' at 5159 position while all other type 4 isolates have insertion of 'U' at the same position. Whether these changes contribute towards observed absence of type 4 HEV infections in Indian patients needs to be determined.     

Langerhans cells in porcine skin

Langerhans cells (LCs) are resident dendritic cells (DCs) of skin and mucosal epithelium. The standard for identifying skin DCs as LCs is expression of langerin (CD207), a surface protein that mediates Birbeck granule (BG) formation upon internalization. Reports of BGs in porcine skin DC are contradictory, due to lack of langerin detection. Here, we present the sequence of porcine langerin/CD207, showing that the predicted porcine protein shares 75%/86% amino acid identity/similarity with human. Langerin mRNA was detected in porcine skin DCs by PCR and langerin protein was detected in both isolated skin DCs and skin sections by immunostaining. Approximately, 50-70% of skin DCs expressed langerin, demonstrating that the majority of porcine skin DCs are LCs. The full length sequence combined with the identification of antibodies reactive with porcine langerin, facilitates the study of LCs in swine, and advances the use of swine for studying skin diseases and infectious disease processes involving skin.     

Immunobiotic lactic acid bacteria beneficially regulate immune response triggered by poly(I:C) in porcine intestinal epithelial cells

ABSTRACT: This study analyzed the functional expression of TLR3 in various gastrointestinal tissues from adult swine and shows that TLR3 is expressed preferentially in intestinal epithelial cells (IEC), CD172a+CD11R1high and CD4+ cells from ileal Peyer's patches. We characterized the inflammatory immune response triggered by TLR3 activation in a clonal porcine intestinal epitheliocyte cell line (PIE cells) and in PIE-immune cell co-cultures, and demonstrated that these systems are valuable tools to study in vitro the immune response triggered by TLR3 on IEC and the interaction between IEC and immune cells. In addition, we selected an immunobiotic lactic acid bacteria strain, Lactobacillus casei MEP221106, able to beneficially regulate the anti-viral immune response triggered by poly(I:C) stimulation in PIE cells. Moreover, we deepened our understanding of the possible mechanisms of immunobiotic action by demonstrating that L. casei MEP221106 modulates the interaction between IEC and immune cells during the generation of a TLR3-mediated immune response.     

Molecular identification and functional expression of porcine Toll-like receptor (TLR) 3 and TLR7

To investigate porcine Toll-like receptors (TLR) responding to viral pathogen associated molecular patterns, the full-length cDNA of porcine TLR3 and TLR7 were identified and characterized. Porcine TLR3 and TLR7 cDNA encode 904- and 1050-amnio-acid polypeptides, respectively. Both porcine TLR3 and TLR7 contain typical functional TLR domains and share about 80% sequence identity to other mammalian orthologues. Tissue expression profiles showed that TLR3 was highly expressed in kidney, duodenum, spleen and liver, and moderately expressed in bone marrow, lung, and skin. Conversely, TLR7 was moderately and constitutively expressed in all tissues evaluated. Stimulation of mammalian cells transfected with porcine TLR3 and TLR7 constructs with TLR3 and TLR7 agonists [poly (I:C) and imiquimod (R837), respectively], and adenovirus elicited activation of interferon regulatory factors (IRFs). These data provide molecular and functional information for porcine TLR3 and TLR7, and implicate their role in mediating immune protection against porcine viral diseases.     

Molecular cloning and characterization of a porcine Fc gamma RIIb sub-isoform(FcγRIIb1)

Receptors for the Fc fragment of IgG (FcγRs) constitute one of the main effector mechanisms through which IgG immune complexes exert their action. Four FcγRs, FcγRI (CD64) with high affinity, FcγRI with intermediate affinity, FcγRII (CD32) and FcγRIII (CD16) with low affinity, have been identified. There are three FcγRII isoforms (activating FcγRIIa and FcγRIIc, and inhibiting FcγRIIb) existing in humans, one isoform in mice (inhibiting FcγRIIb), and two isoforms in cattle (inhibiting FcγRIIb, activating FcγRIIc). Two splice sub-isoforms of FcγRIIb, FcγRIIb1(b1) and FcγRIIb2(b2), have been identified in humans, mice and cattle, however, few of FcγRIIb sub-isoforms have been investigated in pig. In this study, we describe the molecular cloning, sequencing and characterization of a porcine FcγRIIb sub-isoform, FcγRIIb1. The cDNA encoding porcine FcγRIIb1 was isolated from peripheral blood leucocytes RNA with RT-PCR. The porcine FcγRIIb1 cDNA contains a 951bp open-reading frame, encoding a 316 amino acid transmembrane glycoprotein composed of two immunoglobulin (Ig)-like extracellular domains, a transmembrane region and a cytoplasmic tail with an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibiting motif (ITIM). The porcine FcγRIIb1 shares 98.3% homology and has a 19 amino acid in-frame insertion in cytoplasmic tail when compared with amino acid sequence of DQ026064. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that the glycoprotein encoded by the porcine FcγRIIb1 cDNA was expressed in the stable transfected COS-7 cells, and an immunoglobulin-binding assay showed that it had binding activity for IgG immune complexes. Identification of the porcine FcγRIIb1 will help our understanding of the molecular basis of IgG-FcγR interaction in the porcine immune response.     

Molecular cloning, chromosomal location, and biological activity of porcine interleukin-21

A pig interleukin-21 (IL-21) cDNA was successfully cloned and sequenced from porcine peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) stimulated with 10 microg/ml concanavalin A (ConA), 10 microg/ml phytohemagglutinin P (PHA), 50 ng/ml phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), and 0.5 microg/ml anti-porcine CD3 antibody for 48 hr. The open reading frame of the porcine IL-21 cDNA is 459 base pairs in length and encodes 152 amino acids. The predicted amino acid sequence of the porcine IL-21 shows 86.2%, 77.7%, and 58.4% identity to the bovine, human, and murine IL-21, respectively. The porcine IL-21 gene was mapped to porcine chromosome 8 (8q22-->q23) by means of fluorescence in situ hybridization and radiation hybrid mapping, where the porcine IL-2 gene had been mapped nearby. The recombinant porcine mature IL-21 expressed by E. coli induced dose-dependent proliferation and IFN-gamma production from a human NK cell line, NK0. The porcine IL-21 identified in this study will be helpful for the enhancement of innate immune responses of pigs.     

家蚕模式识别受体PGRP、βGRP编码基因的克隆鉴定及表达谱分析

模式识别受体(PRR)是生物体先天免疫系统中免疫受体的代表,对生物体的生存极为重要。克隆鉴定了家蚕的14个模式识别受体编码基因,包括10个肽聚糖识别蛋白(PGRP)基因和4个β-葡聚糖识别蛋白(βGRP)基因,并得到了BmPGRP-S3、BmPGRP-S4和BmPGRP-L5的完整编码序列。家蚕PGRP的长型和短型亚家族都具有典型的酰胺酶活性结构域,短型亚家族具有信号肽,长型亚家族则没有信号肽。5个PGRP长型亚家族基因成簇分布于第1号染色体;5个PGRP短型亚家族基因中有2个分布于第9号染色体,有3个分布于第16号染色体。家蚕βGRP家族成员都具有信号肽,其中BmβGRP1-3成簇分布于第11号染色体,编码蛋白不具有典型的葡聚糖结合结构域;BmβGRP4独立分布于第22号染色体,编码蛋白具有典型的葡聚糖结合结构域。基因芯片数据分析表明,BmPGRP-L5和BmβGRP1在5龄第3天幼虫各组织中没有表达,其余12个模式识别受体基因为多组织表达,但在丝腺组织中均无表达。在这12个模式识别受体基因中,BmPGRP-L3等6个模式识别受体基因在中肠组织中的表达水平偏高;BmβGRP3、BmβGRP4和BmPGRP-L3、BmPGRP-L4等在家蚕生殖腺中的表达水平较高。在生殖腺以外的其他各组织中,这12个基因的表达不具有雌雄差异性。BmβGRP1在家蚕各发育时期没有表达,BmPGRP-L5主要在变态发育的转折期表达,其余12个模式识别受体基因在各发育时期均有表达,并从5龄第3天幼虫到上蔟第2天有较高水平的表达,雌雄个体间无表达差异性。由此说明这些模式识别受体基因的表达具有一定的组织性和发育时期性。给人工饲料无菌饲养的家蚕5龄第3天幼虫分别添食大肠杆菌、家蚕黑胸败血菌和家蚕白僵菌,对免疫诱导3、6、12和24h的家蚕进行个体水平的实时荧光定量PCR检测,发现PGRP长型亚家族基因BmPGRP-L1、BmPGRP-L3和短型亚家族基因BmPGRP-S1-3均能被这3种微生物诱导上调表达;βGRP基因家族中的BmβGRP3、BmβGRP4也能被3种微生物诱导上调表达。同时对诱导12h时家蚕各组织中14个家蚕模式识别受体基因的表达谱进行分析,结果显示经3种微生物分别诱导后,家蚕头部组织中BmβGRP2、BmβGRP4、BmPGRP-L2和BmPGRP-S1、BmPGRP-S3-5均上调表达;表皮、中肠和脂肪体中仅有BmβGRP3、BmPGRP-L4等少数模式识别受体基因上调表达。     

Molecular characterisation of equine group A rotavirus, Nasuno, isolated in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan

In this study, equine group A rotavirus (RV-A), Nasuno, isolated from foal diarrhoea in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan was characterised genetically by sequence analysis of the genome segments encoding VP4 and VP7. The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences revealed high homology with P[12] RV-As (94.0-99.3% and 94.9-99.4%) and G3 RV-As (86.9-99.5% and 91.1-99.4%). Nasuno was also classified into P[12] and G3 in the phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequences of the genome segments encoding VP4 and VP7.     

Molecular cloning and functional characterization of porcine IFN-beta promoter stimulator 1 (IPS-1)

The IFN-beta promoter stimulator 1 (IPS-1), also known as MAVS/VISA/Cardif, is an adaptor molecule for the retinoic-acid-inducible protein I (RIG-I) or melanoma-differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) that recognizes intracellular double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and triggers a signal for producing type I IFN. In the present study, porcine IPS-1 cDNA was cloned, using RT-PCR coupled with rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE)-PCR, from porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The open reading frame of porcine IPS-1 consists of 1575bp encoding 524 amino acids. The putative porcine IPS-1 protein contains a N-terminal CARD-like domain, a central proline-rich domain, a C-terminal transmembrane domain, and exhibits similarity to mouse, rat, monkey, human and cattle counterparts, ranging from 59% to 79%. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed that porcine IPS-1 mRNA was widely expressed in different tissues. Porcine kidney (PK-15) cells transfected with a DNA construct encoding porcine IPS-1 produced type I IFN, and activated IRF3 and NF-kappaB. Deletion mutant analyses further revealed that both the CARD-like domain and transmembrane domain are essential for these functions. In addition, poly(I:C)-induced porcine IFN-beta promoter activation in PK-15 cells was significantly reduced by siRNA targeting IPS-1, indicating that IPS-1 is an important immunoregulator in the porcine innate immune system. The availability of porcine IPS-1 and establishment of its function in the type I IFN signaling pathway provides a useful molecule for defining its role during the course of pig infectious diseases.     

Regional and age dependent changes in gene expression of Toll-like receptors and key antimicrobial defence molecules throughout the gastrointestinal tract of dairy calves

The primary aim of this study was to determine regional and age-dependent expression patterns of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), peptidoglycan recognition protein 1 (PGLYRP1), and β-defensin in rumen, jejunum, ileum, cecum and colon of 3 week (n=8) and 6 month old (n=8) calves. The expression of most TLRs was significantly down-regulated throughout the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) with increasing age. TLR10 expression was significantly higher in ileum than all other gut regions, irrespective of age. TLR2 and TLR4 expression were significantly higher in the cecum and colon of 6 month old calves. Furthermore, expression of β-defensin, and PGLYRP1 was only detectable in 6 month old calves. The expression of TLRs was positively or negatively correlated with population of total bacteria and/or lactic acid bacteria depending on the GIT region. These observations indicate that innate immune responses to commensal microflora may vary significantly throughout the GIT and with age changes.     

Cloning and expression of interferon-alpha/gamma from a domestic porcine breed and its effect on classical swine fever virus

To further evaluate the clinical impact of recombinant PoIFN-alpha/gamma, PoIFN-alpha/gamma genes from a Chinese domestic big-white porcine breed were cloned using PCR, and expressed in a high-level prokaryotic system. The antiviral activities of rPoIFN-alpha/gamma on vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), and classical swine fever virus (CSFV) were investigated in different cell lines. The cloned PoIFN-alpha gene encodes a protein of 166 amino acids and has been named PoIFN-alphac. In a comparison of PoIFN-alphac with reported PoIFN-alphaI genes, eight amino acid substitutions at positions 43 (F to L), 78 (N to D), 86 (Y to C), 104 (A to V), 118 (R to L), 128 (T to P), 151 (S to V), and 156 (R to T) were observed, and resulted in no potential N-glycosylation site in the deduced PoIFN-alpha amino acid sequences. In contrast to PoIFN-alphac, one nucleotide substitution was found at position 462 (A to G), hence 0.1% synonymity is specific for the PoIFN-gamma gene. Both PoIFN-alphac and PoIFN-gamma genes were inserted into a prokaryotic vector pQE30, and expressed in E. coli M15 (pREP4) or SC11103 (pREP4) with the N-terminal six consecutive histidine residues, respectively. rPoIFN-alphac and rPoIFN-gamma proteins were detected by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting analysis at 20.7 and 18.0 kDa, respectively. In addition, the rPoIFN-alphac and rPoIFN-gamma protein were purified using Ni-NTA metal-affinity chromatography, and their anti-VSV, anti-PRRSV, and anti-CSFV activities were surveyed in homologous and heterologous cell lines. The results suggested that rPoIFN-alpha and rPoIFN-gamma could inhibit classical swine fever virus and other important viral pathogens in different cell lines.