成年牦牛皮肤中血管与神经的组织学观察及HIF-1α在皮肤中的表达

本研究旨在探讨牦牛不同部位皮肤内血管和神经的分布情况,及检测低氧诱导因子-1α（HIF-1α）在不同部位皮肤上的定位及相对表达量,探究牦牛皮肤对高原低氧环境的适应机制。采用HE、Masson’s三色和Verhoeff VG染色法,对成年牦牛皮肤内血管和神经结构进行观察与分析;采用免疫组织化学、实时荧光定量PCR和蛋白免疫印迹法,对HIF-1α的mRNA和蛋白在成年牦牛皮肤组织中表达与分布进行研究。结果表明,颈部血管与神经密度最高,前臂部和小腿部次之,跖部最低,部位间差异显著（P<0.05）。HIF-1α主要表达在表皮层、毛囊的上皮根鞘、皮脂腺、汗腺、血管、神经;颈部、前臂部和小腿部强阳性表达,跖部阳性表达。HIF-1α mRNA的相对表达量跖部明显低于其他部位（P<0.05）,其他三个部位两两比较差异不显著（P>0.05）。HIF-1α蛋白相对表达量颈部最高,跖部最低,差异显著（P<0.05）。研究结果提示,成年牦牛不同部位皮肤内不同血管和神经形态结构相似,密度从颈部到前肢再到后肢差异显著。HIF-1α的差异性表达进一步说明皮肤在牦牛适应低氧环境中发挥作用。     

脑红蛋白和缺氧诱导因子-1α在牦牛后脑的表达与定位研究

脑红蛋白(neuroglobin,NGB)和缺氧诱导因子-1α(hypoxia inducible factor-1α,HIF-1α)是存在于脊椎动物神经系统中的两种关键性神经保护因子,在低氧适应过程中具有重要的生理功能.为探究牦牛(Bos grunniens)脑组织中对机体运动、呼吸、感觉等生理活动起重要调节作用的后...     

Failure to detect abnormal prion protein and scrapie-associated fibrils 6 wk after intracerebral inoculation of genetically susceptible sheep with scrapie agent

Detection of the scrapie-associated protease-resistant prion protein (PrP^res) in sheep brains in the early phase after intracerebral inoculation of the scrapie agent has not been documented. Fourteen 4-mo-old, genetically susceptible lambs (QQ homozygous at codon 171 of the PrP gene) were obtained for this study. Twelve lambs were inoculated intracerebrally with a brain suspension from sheep naturally affected with scrapie, and 2 served as uninoculated controls. Two inoculated animals were euthanized at each of 6 times postinoculation (1 h to 6 wk), and their brains were collected for histopathological study, for detection of PrP^res by the Western blot technique and an immunohistochemical (IHC) method, and for the detection of scrapie-associated fibrils (SAF) by negatively stained electron microscopy (EM). Microscopic lesions associated with introduction of the inoculum were seen in the brains of inoculated animals at all 6 times. However, both the Western blot and IHC techniques did not detect PrP^res after the initial 3 d postinoculation, nor did EM detect SAF in any of the samples. From these findings, it is presumed that until host amplification has occurred, the concentration of PrP^res in inoculum is insufficient for detection by currently available techniques.     

低氧诱导因子-1α对牦牛肾小管上皮细胞上皮-间质转化的影响

本研究旨在探讨低氧诱导因子-1α（HIF-1α）对牦牛肾小管上皮细胞上皮-间质转化（EMT）的影响。首先对牦牛肾小管上皮细胞进行培养鉴定,并选取第三代细胞对其分别进行药物处理（DMOG组）和不做药物处理（对照组）,检测EMT相关基因在mRNA和蛋白水平的表达变化,并观察细胞形态变化。结果表明：使用Ⅰ+Ⅱ型胶原酶可以更好地获得肾小管上皮细胞;免疫荧光结果细胞CK18表达呈阳性,Vimentin和CD31呈阴性表达;qRT-PCR和Western blot结果表明,DMOG组中的HIF-1α,TGF-β1,α-SMA在mRNA和蛋白水平均较对照组有极显著增加（P<0.01）,而E-cadherin的表达显著降低（P<0.05）;经药物干预后,细胞形态由铺路石样转变为长梭形,经鉴定长梭形细胞为间质细胞。本研究成功建立了牦牛肾小管上皮细胞的分离培养体系,并发现HIF-1α表达上调可以促进牦牛肾小管上皮细胞上皮-间质转化。     

褪黑素对镉致鸭大脑皮质毒性损伤的保护作用

为探究褪黑素对镉致鸭大脑皮质毒性损伤的保护作用,本试验将16只20日龄高邮鸭随机分为4组,分别为对照组、褪黑素组、镉组、镉与褪黑素共处理组。对照组鸭自由采食饮水;褪黑素组鸭自由饮用含有0.2 mg·L^-1褪黑素的水;镉组鸭自由采食拌有2 mg·kg^-1氯化镉的饲料;镉与褪黑素共处理组鸭自由饮用含有0.2 mg·L^-1褪黑素水的同时自由采食拌有2 mg·kg^-1氯化镉的饲料。60 d后,剖检并采集鸭大脑皮质。比色法检测大脑皮质中丙二醛（MDA）和总抗氧化能力（T-AOC）的水平,ELISA法检测肿瘤坏死因子（TNF-α）、白介素-1β（IL-1β）的含量,免疫组化染色观察Nrf2核转位,免疫印迹法检测Nrf2、HO-1的蛋白表达。结果显示,与对照组相比,镉组鸭大脑皮质发生明显Nrf2核转位,T-AOC水平极显著降低（P<0.01）,MDA、TNF-α、IL-1β含量和Nrf2、HO-1蛋白表达量极显著升高（P<0.01）;与镉组相比,镉与褪黑素共处理组鸭大脑皮质Nrf2核转位减少,T-AOC水平显著升高（P<0.05）,MDA、TNF-α、IL-1β含量和Nrf2、HO-1蛋白表达量显著或极显著降低（P<0.05或P<0.01）。综上,褪黑素对镉所致的鸭大脑皮质毒性损伤具有一定的保护作用。     

Diagnosis of preclinical and subclinical scrapie in a naturally infected sheep flock utilizing currently available postmortem diagnostic techniques.

Scrapie is a naturally occurring transmissible encephalopathy of sheep and goats. Currently available methods for diagnosis are the presence of characteristic histopathologic changes and detection of an abnormal form of prion protein (PrPres) in the brains of affected animals. This study documents preclinical and subclinical scrapie in a flock of 16 sheep utilizing histopathology, immunohistochemistry (IHC), western blot, and electron microscopy (for scrapie-associated fibrils) for confirmation of the disease. Prior to necropsy, none of the sheep showed signs of clinical scrapie. Based on the results of histopathology and positive PrPres tests, 3 ewes were found to have subclinical scrapie. An additional ewe, which did not have histopathologic changes in the brain but was positive by IHC and western blot,was considered a preclinical case of scrapie. None of the sheep had amyloid in the brain stem.     

Localization of metallothioneins-I & -II and -III in the brain of aged dog.

Localization of metallothionein (MT) -I & -II and MT-III and its significance in the brain aging in dogs were examined using immunohistological and molecular pathological techniques. MT-I & -II immunohistochemistry showed positive staining in the hypertrophic astrocytes throughout the aged dog brains; these MT-I & -II immunoreactive astrocytes were predominant in the cerebral cortex and around the blood vessels in the brain. These findings dominated in the brain regions with severe age-related morphological changes. In situ hybridization using MT-I mRNA riboprobes also demonstrated signals for MT-I mRNA in these hypertrophic astrocytes. Immunohistochemistry using a guinea pig antiserum against a synthetic polypeptide of canine MT-III demonstrated positive MT-III immunoreactivity predominantly in neurons in the Zn-rich regions such as hippocampus and parahippocampus. The findings were supported by in situ hybridization using MT-III mRNA riboprobes. Both MT-III immunoreactivity and signals for MT-III mRNA were demonstrated in neurons in the brain regardless of the intensity of the age-related changes. These results suggest, first, MT-I & -II may be induced in relation to the progress of the age-related morphological changes in the brain, playing an important role in the protection of the brain tissue from the toxic insults responsible for the brain aging, and second, MT-III may play a role in maintenance of Zn-related essential functions of the brain.     

Detection of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptors Flt-1 and KDR in canine mastocytoma cells

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a major regulator of angiogenesis and a potential autocrine growth factor for neoplastic cells in various malignancies. In the present study, we have investigated expression of VEGF and VEGF receptors in canine mastocytomas and the canine mastocytoma cell line C2. As assessed by immunostaining of tissue sections and cytospin slides, primary neoplastic mast cells (MC) and C2 cells were found to express the VEGF protein. In Northern blot and RT-PCR experiments, C2 cells expressed VEGF mRNA in a constitutive manner. VEGF mRNA expression in C2 cells was counteracted by LY294002 and rapamycin, suggesting involvement of the PI3-kinase/mTOR pathway. Moreover, C2 cells were found to express VEGF receptor-1 (Flt-1) and VEGF receptor-2 (KDR). However, recombinant VEGF failed to promote (3)H-thymidine uptake in C2 cells, and a neutralizing anti-VEGF antibody (bevacizumab) failed to downregulate spontaneous proliferation in these cells. In addition, rapamycin decreased the expression of VEGF in C2 cells at the mRNA and protein level without suppressing their proliferation. Together, canine mastocytoma cells express VEGF as well as VEGF receptors. However, despite co-expression of VEGF and its receptors, VEGF is not utilized as an autocrine growth regulator by canine mastocytoma cells.     

The expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha in primary reproductive organs of the female yak (Bos grunniens) at different reproductive stages

The yak (Bos grunniens) is the most important livestock animal in high-altitude regions owing to its prominent adaptability to cold conditions, nutritional deficiencies and hypoxia. The reproductive organs exhibit different histological appearances and physiological processes at different reproductive stages. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) is the regulatory subunit of HIF-1 that crucially regulates the response to hypoxia in mammalian organisms. The goal of our study was to investigate the expression and distribution of HIF-1α in the primary yak reproductive organs at different reproductive stages. Samples of the ovary, oviduct and uterus of 15 adult female yaks were collected and used in the experiment. The expression and localization of HIF-1α proteins and mRNA were investigated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blot (WB) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The results indicated that the expression of HIF-1α protein in the ovary was higher during the luteal phase than during the follicular phase and gestation period (p < .05). In the oviduct, HIF-1α protein was also more highly expressed during the luteal phase than during the follicular phase and gestation period (p < .01). However, in the uterus, the HIF-1α protein had stronger expression during the gestation period than during the follicular phase (p < .01) and luteal phase (p < .05). The expression of HIF-1α mRNA was similar to that of its protein. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed intense immunostaining of HIF-1α proteins in the follicular granulosa cells, granular luteal cells, villous epithelial cells of the oviduct, endometrial glandular epithelium and luminal epithelium, foetal villous trophoblast, and epithelia of caruncular crypts. This study showed that the expression of HIF-1α in the ovary, oviduct and uterus varies according to the stage of the reproductive cycle. This implies that HIF-1α plays an important role in regulating the stage-specific physiological function of yak reproductive organs under hypoxic environments.     

Canine Lat1: molecular structure, distribution and its expression in cancer samples

A full-length cDNA sequence of canine L-type amino acid transporter 1 (Lat1) was determined from a canine brain. The sequence was 1828 bp long and was predicted to encode 485 amino acid polypeptides. The deduced amino acid sequence of canine Lat1 showed 93.2% and 91.1% similarities to those of humans and rats, respectively. Northern blot analysis detected Lat1 expression in the cerebellum at 4 kb, and Western blot analysis showed a single band at 40 kDa. RT-PCR analysis revealed a distinct expression of Lat1 in the pancreas and testis in addition to the cerebrum and cerebellum. Notably, Lat1 expression was observed in the tissues of thyroid cancer, melanoma and hemangiopericytoma. Although the cancer samples examined were not enough, Lat1 may serve as a useful biomarker of cancer cells in veterinary clinic.     

Expression of receptor tyrosine kinases VEGFR-1 (FLT-1), VEGFR-2 (KDR), EGFR-1, PDGFRa and c-Met in canine primary brain tumours

Inhibition of tumour growth and angiogenesis by targeting key growth factor receptors is a promising therapeutic strategy for central nervous system tumours. Characterization of these growth factor receptors in canine primary brain tumours has not been done. Using quantitative real‐time TaqMan polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we evaluated the expression of messenger RNA (mRNA) for five tyrosine kinase growth factor receptors (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor [VEGFR]‐1, VEGFR‐2, endothelial growth factor receptor [EGFR]‐1, platelet‐derived growth factor receptor a [PDGFRa], and c‐Met) relative to normal cerebral cortex in 66 spontaneous canine primary brain tumours. Increased expression of VEGFR‐1 and VEGFR‐2 mRNA was greatest in grade IV astrocytomas (glioblastoma multiforme) and grade III (anaplastic) oligodendrogliomas. EGFR‐1 mRNA expression was more consistently increased than the other receptors in all tumour types, while increased PDGFRa mRNA expression was mostly restricted to oligodendrogliomas. The similarities in increased expression of these tyrosine kinase growth factor receptors in these canine tumours, as compared to data from their human counterparts, suggest that common molecular mechanisms may be present.     

Effects of low‐dose cyclophosphamide with piroxicam on tumour neovascularization in a canine oral malignant melanoma‐xenografted mouse model

Low‐dose cyclophosphamide (CyLD) has shown promise in the treatment of several cancers; however, the effect of CyLD on canine oral malignant melanoma has never been explored. In this study, we investigated the effects of CyLD with or without piroxicam (Px) on tumour neovascularization and vascular normalization in a canine oral malignant melanoma‐xenografted mice model. After treatment with CyLD, Px or a combination of both (CyPx), the growth of the tumour in the treatment groups was significantly suppressed compared to the control group at 30 days of treatment. Proliferation index was also significantly reduced by all treatments, only CyPx significantly lowered microvessel density and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels. Additionally, CyLD significantly reduced the proportion of normal vessels and caused an imbalance between VEGF and thrombospondin‐1. These results suggested that CyPx has potent anti‐angiogenic effects in terms of both the number and quality of blood vessels in xenografted canine oral malignant melanoma.     

APPEARANCE OF THE CANINE MENINGES IN SUBTRACTION MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGES

The canine meninges are not visible as discrete structures in noncontrast magnetic resonance (MR) images, and are incompletely visualized in T1‐weighted, postgadolinium images, reportedly appearing as short, thin curvilinear segments with minimal enhancement. Subtraction imaging facilitates detection of enhancement of tissues, hence may increase the conspicuity of meninges. The aim of the present study was to describe qualitatively the appearance of canine meninges in subtraction MR images obtained using a dynamic technique. Images were reviewed of 10 consecutive dogs that had dynamic pre‐ and postgadolinium T1W imaging of the brain that was interpreted as normal, and had normal cerebrospinal fluid. Image‐anatomic correlation was facilitated by dissection and histologic examination of two canine cadavers. Meningeal enhancement was relatively inconspicuous in postgadolinium T1‐weighted images, but was clearly visible in subtraction images of all dogs. Enhancement was visible as faint, small‐rounded foci compatible with vessels seen end on within the sulci, a series of larger rounded foci compatible with vessels of variable caliber on the dorsal aspect of the cerebral cortex, and a continuous thin zone of moderate enhancement around the brain. Superimposition of color‐encoded subtraction images on pregadolinium T1‐ and T2‐weighted images facilitated localization of the origin of enhancement, which appeared to be predominantly dural, with relatively few leptomeningeal structures visible. Dynamic subtraction MR imaging should be considered for inclusion in clinical brain MR protocols because of the possibility that its use may increase sensitivity for lesions affecting the meninges.     

Cerebral vascular hamartomas in five dogs

Vascular hamartomas are considered developmental lesions rather than true neoplasms. Reports of such anomalies in the canine brain are scarce, and their classification is confusing. This case series of vascular hamartomas from the brains of five dogs was characterized using histochemistry and immunohistochemistry, in addition to gross and microscopic findings. All five hamartomas were located in the telencephalon, three in the pyriform lobe, without any predilection for the left or right side. Each hamartoma consisted of a proliferation of thin-walled vessels which varied in caliber. These vessels were elastin-negative, with varying amounts of collagen and no muscular component. In four of the five hamartomas, lining cells were actin- and factor VIII-positive. All five hamartomas contained glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP)-positive parenchyma at moderate to high frequency, and four contained neurofilament-positive axons between component vessels. This report shows that vascular hamartomas in the canine brain are structural malformations for which immunohistochemistry is useful for accurate classification.     

Identification and characterization of two bovine spongiform encephalopathy cases diagnosed in the United States.

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy of cattle, first detected in 1986 in the United Kingdom and subsequently in other countries. It is the most likely cause of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) in humans, but the origin of BSE has not been elucidated so far. This report describes the identification and characterization of two cases of BSE diagnosed in the United States. Case 1 (December 2003) exhibited spongiform changes in the obex area of the brainstem and the presence of the abnormal form of the prion protein, PrP(Sc), in the same brain area, by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot analysis. Initial suspect diagnosis of BSE for case 2 (November 2004) was made by a rapid ELISA-based BSE test. Case 2 did not exhibit unambiguous spongiform changes in the obex area, but PrP(Sc) was detected by IHC and enrichment Western blot analysis in the obex. Using Western blot analysis, PrP(Sc) from case 1 showed molecular features similar to typical BSE isolates, whereas PrP(Sc) from case 2 revealed an unusual molecular PrP(Sc) pattern: molecular mass of the unglycosylated and monoglycosylated isoform was higher than that of typical BSE isolates and case 2 was strongly labeled with antibody P4, which is consistent with a higher molecular mass. Sequencing of the prion protein gene of both BSE-positive animals revealed that the sequences of both animals were within [corrected] the range of the prion protein gene sequence diversity previously reported for cattle.     

Parvovirus-induced encephalitis in a juvenile raccoon

A juvenile raccoon was euthanized because of severe neurologic signs. At postmortem examination, no significant gross lesions were present. Histologic evaluation demonstrated nonsuppurative encephalitis in thalamus, brainstem, and hippocampus, cerebellar Purkinje cell loss, as well as poliomyelitis and demyelination of the spinal cord. Parvovirus antigen–specific immunohistochemistry revealed immunopositive neurons in the brainstem, cerebral cortex, and hippocampus. A few Purkinje cells were also immunopositive. DNA extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded brain tissue (thalamus, hippocampus, cerebral cortex) yielded a positive signal using PCR targeting both feline and canine parvovirus. Sequencing analyses from a fragment of the NS1 gene and a portion of the VP2 gene confirmed the presence of DNA of a recent canine parvovirus variant (CPV-2a–like virus) in the cerebellum. Our case provides evidence that a recent canine parvovirus (CPV) strain (Carnivore protoparvovirus 1) can infect cerebral and diencephalic neurons and cause encephalitis in an otherwise healthy raccoon. Parvovirus-induced encephalitis is a differential diagnosis of rabies and canine distemper in raccoons with neurologic signs.