Oral immunization of the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) upregulates the mucosal immunoglobulin IgX

The frog Xenopus laevis is a model species for developmental biology but is also of significant interest to comparative immunologists. Amphibians are the oldest group of organisms in which both the B lymphocytes of some species undergo immunoglobulin (Ig) class switch recombination and also have a dedicated mucosal Ig isotype. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that frog IgX would be produced in response to oral immunization. In order to facilitate studies of humoral, and especially mucosal immunity, in this model species, we developed a gavage technique for oral immunization. The result of this oral administration of antigen to frogs was assayed by the induction of the mucosal antibody isotype, IgX, in plasma by enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA), and a significant IgX upregulation was detected compared to frogs receiving systemic immunization into the coelom. These data are consistent with the view that IgX is the functional analog of mammalian IgA and mandate further studies of the relationship between IgX and IgA. Additionally, the gavage technique should be adaptable for functional studies of gut-associated immunology in other small aquatic vertebrates.     

Mycobacterium gordonae as potential cause of granulomatous lesions of the toe tips in the South African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis)

During regular health status monitoring of the colony of amphibian, Mycobacterium (M.) gordonae were isolated from granulomatous lesions of the tiptoes from the South African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) maintained at the Tierforschungszentrum of the University of Ulm. During a period of three years a total of 21 animals of the colony, consisting of 350-400 frogs, showed granuloma of the tip of the toes and a loss of the claws. The general condition and the behavior of the frogs appeared to be unchanged. Using a selective medium one isolate was cultured and identified by sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. To apply a rapid diagnostic method for detecting mycobacteria, in particular M. gordonae in the health monitoring programme of the Xenopus laevis colony, we established the rpoB gene PCR followed by HaeIII restriction analysis of the PCR product. We identified M. gordonae from granuloma of the tiptoes and from unaltered tissue samples of the lungs and skin by PCR restriction analysis. Since mycobacterial species apparently are widespread in granulomatous lesions of the tiptoes of Xenopus laevis, we hypothesize a pathogenic potential. This view is supported by an increasing number of reports in the literature on infections with nontuberculous, "non-pathogenic" mycobacteria in Xenopus laevis.     

Eugenol for anesthesia of African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis)

OBJECTIVE: To determine the level of anesthesia attained in Xenopus laevis frogs with eugenol at different doses and by different routes of administration. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective experimental trial. ANIMALS: Sixty X. laevis nonbreeding female frogs weighing between 90 and 140 g. METHODS: Three different routes of administration were tested - subcutaneous injections into the dorsal lymph sacs, topical administration using a gauze patch, and immersion in a bath containing eugenol. Following the determination of the best route of administration, the acetic acid test, the withdrawal reflex, righting reflex, heart rate, and respiratory frequency were used to evaluate central nervous system depression following eugenol bath administration. In an additional group, the response to a surgical incision of the abdominal wall was evaluated. The pharmacokinetics of eugenol were determined following bath immersion administration, and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated following blood concentration determination by tandem liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry analyses. RESULTS: It was not possible to induce anethesia with subcutaneous and patch administration, independent of the eugenol dose administered. The immersion bath was the only efficacious route for anesthesia inducing surgical anesthesia for at least 30 minutes with postoperative analgesia. Histopathology of selected tissues (heart, lung, liver, kidneys, eyes) showed no evidence of lesions 24 hours following bath immersion. The elimination half-life (T(1/2)) was 4 hours. CONCLUSIONS: When administered as a single-bath immersion (dose 350 mg L(-1)) for 15 minutes, eugenol may serve as an effective anesthetic in X. laevis frogs for short surgical procedures.     

Case of cutaneous necrosis in African clawed frogs Xenopus laevis after the topical application of eugenol

Case of cutaneous necrosis in African Clawed frogs Xenopus laevis after the topical application of eugenol. African Clawed frogs showed necrotic cutaneous lesions after a topical application of high concentrations of eugenol, an analgesic and anesthetic agent. Microscopically, ulceration of the epidermis, a loss of mucous and serous glands as well as an infiltration of inflammatory cells were observed.     

Mycobacterium szulgai infection in a captive population of African clawed frogs (Xenopus tropicalis).

A colony of captive Xenopus tropicalis became infected with Mycobacterium szulgai. Clinical signs, when observed, were lethargy, weight loss, and emaciation. Visceral granulomas were common findings at laparoscopy and necropsy. The diagnosis of mycobacteriosis was based on histologic appearance and Ziehl-Neelsen staining of tissues. The identification of M. szulgai organisms was based on comparison of the 16S rRNA gene sequence with several GenBank databases. There have been no reports of this mycobacterial species as the causative agent of naturally occurring disease in amphibians.     

光滑爪蟾皮肤抗菌肽的分离纯化及活性检测

通过高效液相色谱法,对光滑爪蟾皮肤分泌物进行分离纯化,得到具有抗菌活性的光滑爪蟾皮肤抗菌肽。通过最小抑菌浓度（MIC）试验、溶血活性试验及癌细胞抑制试验,对其体外生物活性进行研究。结果表明,经过纯化得到2个纯度高且具有活性的抗菌肽（AMP1和AMP2）,质谱鉴定结果得出其相对分子质量分别为1 082.78和2237.34。MIC结果表明,AMP1对S.aureus ATCC25923、Escherichia coli ATCC25922的MIC值分别为23.63、8.71mg/L,对MRSA无抑菌作用。AMP2对S.aureus ATCC25923,Escherichia coli ATCC25922、MRSA的MIC值分别为4.94、10.7、86.6mg/L。溶血试验显示AMP1,AMP2具有极弱溶血活性,且对癌细胞SW480具有抑制作用。     

Characterization of glycoconjugates and sialic acid modification in the olfactory bulb of the Chinese fire-bellied newt (Cynops orientalis)

Diverse glycoconjugates are expressed in the vertebrate olfactory bulb and serve as guidance cues for axons of nasal receptor neurons. Although the involvement of glycoconjugates in the segregation of the olfactory pathway has been suggested, it is poorly understood in salamanders. In this study, lectin histochemistry was used to determine glycoconjugate distribution in the olfactory bulb of the Chinese fire-bellied newt (Cynops orientalis). Succinylated wheat germ agglutinin (sWGA), Ricinus communis agglutinin-I and Lens culinaris agglutinin showed different bindings in the nerve fibre layer or glomerular layer, or both, between the main and accessory olfactory bulbs. We then investigated the lectin-binding pattern after the removal of terminal sialic acids using neuraminidase. Desialylation resulted in a change in the binding reactivities with seven lectins. Wheat germ agglutinin, sWGA, soybean agglutinin (SBA) and peanut agglutinin showed different degrees of binding between the main and accessory olfactory bulbs. In addition, SBA showed a heterogeneous labelling of glomeruli in the rostral region of the main olfactory bulb. Our results suggest that terminal sialic acids mask the heterogeneity of glycoconjugates in the olfactory bulb of C. orientalis.     

光滑爪蟾抗菌肽的分离纯化和对癌细胞的生长抑制作用

通过凝胶过滤层析及高效液相色谱法,从皮肤分泌物中分离出具有抑菌活性的物质,即光滑爪蟾抗菌肽。以大肠癌细胞为体外实验模型,通过细胞形态学、MTS试验,研究光滑爪蟾抗菌肽对SW480细胞的杀伤和生长抑制作用。结果表明,经过分离纯化,得到较纯的活性物质,即光滑爪蟾抗菌肽。通过细胞形态学观察,光滑爪蟾抗菌肽作用组中,细胞的数量明显减少,细胞明显皱缩,成圆形,细胞间隙增大,死细胞增多。MTS试验表明,光滑爪蟾抗菌肽对SW480的生长抑制作用随着浓度的增加而加强。     

Heterogeneous expression of glycoconjugates in the primary olfactory centre of the Japanese sword‐tailed newt (Cynops ensicauda)

Histochemical organization of the Caudata olfactory system remains largely unknown, despite this amphibian order showing phylogenetic diversity in the development of the vomeronasal organ and its primary centre, the accessory olfactory bulb. Here, we investigated the glycoconjugate distribution in the olfactory bulb of a semi‐aquatic salamander, the Japanese sword‐tailed newt (Cynops ensicauda), by histochemical analysis of the lectins that were present. Eleven lectins showed a specific binding to the olfactory and vomeronasal nerves as well as to the olfactory glomeruli. Among them, succinylated wheat germ agglutinin (s‐WGA), soya bean agglutinin (SBA), Bandeiraea simplicifolia lectin‐I (BSL‐I) and peanut agglutinin showed significantly different bindings to glomeruli between the main and accessory olfactory bulbs. We also found that s‐WGA, SBA, BSL‐I and Pisum sativum agglutinin preferentially bound to a rostral cluster of glomeruli in the main olfactory bulb. This finding suggests the presence of a functional subset of primary projections to the main olfactory system. Our results therefore demonstrated a region‐specific glycoconjugate expression in the olfactory bulb of C. ensicauda, which would be related to a functional segregation of the olfactory system.     

Immunohistochemical studies on the differential maturation of three types of olfactory organs in the rats

Differential maturation of three types of olfactory organs, the olfactory epithelium (OE), the vomeronasal organ (VNO) and the septal olfactory organ of Masera (MO), was examined immunohistochemically in embryonic and newborn rats by the use of antiprotein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) serum. These olfactory organs were derived in common from the olfactory placode as neuroepithelia. In the OE, PGP 9.5-immunopositive olfactory cells first appeared at 13 days of gestation. The OE maturated completely, and showed the same cytological features as in the adult at 20 days of gestation. The MO first appeared as a dense mass of PGP 9.5-immunopositive sensory cells on the most ventrocaudal part of the nasal septum at 15 days of gestation and was evidently isolated from the OE by the decrease of immunopositive cells in the intercalated epithelium between the OE and the MO at 20 days of gestation. However, even at 7 days after birth, the MO did not complete its development and contained sensory cells aggregating in the mass. The VNO was separated from the nasal cavity at 13 days of gestation as a tubular structure of a neuroepithelium including PGP 9.5-immunopositive sensory cells. These cells gradually increased in number in the sensory epithelium of the VNO and extended their dendritic processes to the free surface at 7 days after birth. These findings clarified the differential maturation of these olfactory organs. That is, the OE completes its development before birth, while the MO and VNO after birth.     

Lectin binding patterns in the olfactory bulb of mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos)

We histologically examined lectin binding patterns in the olfactory bulb of mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) using 21 biotinylated lectins. Positive staining for the N‐acetylglucosamine‐specific lectins (Bandeiraea simplicifolia II, Datura stramonium, Lycopersicon esculentum, Solanum tuberosum, Triticum vulgare), galactose or N‐acetylgalactosamine‐specific lectins (Artocarpus intergrifolia, Phaseolus vulgaris erythroagglutinin, Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin, Ricus communis) and the mannose‐specific lectins (Lens culinaris and Pisum sativum) was observed in the olfactory nerve and glomerular layers. Canavalia ensiformis staining showed a similar pattern to that obtained with the lectins and there was also faint staining in the mitral cells. Olfactory nerve axons terminate in the glomeruli, where they make excitatory synapses with the dendrites of mitral cells. This finding indicates that glycoconjugates that bind Canavalia ensiformis play an important role in formation of glomeruli. No positive staining for the other lectins was seen in the olfactory bulb. Based on these results, we conclude that cell surface sugar moieties of the olfactory bulb in mallard ducks express N‐acetylglucosamine and mannose residues rather than N‐acetylgalactosamine residues. The carbohydrate composition of mallard duck olfactory bulb differed from that of other vertebrates found in previous studies.     

神经内分泌细胞在鸭胸腺中的表达特征

应用免疫组化技术并结合图像分析软件研究了β-内啡肽、胃泌素、胰高血糖素、5-羟色胺、血管活性肠肽、神经肽Y、生长抑素细胞在鸭胸腺中的表达特征。结果显示：7种神经内分泌细胞在胸腺中呈强阳性表达;β-内啡肽阳性细胞在皮质部较多,而胃泌素、胰高血糖素、5-羟色胺、血管活性肠肽、神经肽Y、生长抑素阳性细胞在髓质和皮髓质交界区的数量高于皮质部;除胰高血糖素外,其余6种神经内分泌激素在胸腺小体中呈不同程度的阳性反应。本试验结果说明,鸭胸腺不仅是中枢免疫器官,而且具有重要的神经内分泌功能;β-内啡肽阳性细胞在T淋巴细胞的发育中发挥重要作用;胃泌素、胰高血糖素、5-羟色胺、生长抑素、血管活性肠肽、神经肽Y阳性细胞在髓质部和皮髓质交界区的表达有利于其通过内分泌、自分泌或旁分泌方式调节T细胞的发育。同时,也探讨了胸腺小体的功能。     

德阳市3种林草模式下土壤动物群落特征

为了解林草模式下土壤动物组成及群落结构特征,以核桃(Juglans regia)+紫花苜蓿(Medicago sativa)、核桃+菊苣(Cichorium intybus)及核桃+鸭茅(Dactylis glomerata)3种模式为研究对象,同时以纯核桃林模式作为对照进行土壤动物调查。结果表明,1)调查共获土壤动物303只,分属3门7纲17目,优势类群为线虫纲(Nematoda)、膜翅目(Hymenoptera)、蜱螨目(Acarina);2)林草模式下土壤动物表聚性明显,纯林模式下土壤动物个体密度土层分布表现为5-10cm10-15cm0-5cm;3)核桃+苜蓿模式下Shannon-Wiener多样性指数和密度-类群指数(DG)最高,纯林模式下密度-类群指数(DG)最低,但Pielou均匀度指数最高;4)核桃+苜蓿模式下虽然土壤动物个体数明显高于纯林模式,但在类群种类上却与纯林模式最为相似;5)4种模式中,核桃+苜蓿模式腐食性(Saprozoic)土壤动物种团比例最高。综合而言,3种林草模式均能有效增长土壤动物群落组成,尤其以核桃+苜蓿模式土壤动物群落丰富程度最高。     

Expression patterns of the slit subfamily mRNA in canine malignant mammary tumors

Slit, a secreted protein, functions as a chemorepellent factor in axon guidance and neuronal migration and as an inhibitor in leukocyte chemotaxis. In humans, slit2 protein attracts endothelial cells and promotes tube formation in the tumor angiogenic mechanism. In this study, we cloned a part of the canine slit subfamily and examined the expression of slit subfamily mRNAs in 3 normal canine mammary glands and 11 mammary tumor samples by RT-PCR. The cloned part of the slit gene sequences showed high similarity to those of the human, mouse, and rat. The mRNAs were expressed at low levels in the normal mammary gland. The expression levels of slit1 mRNA were low in both the normal and tumor tissues. In contrast, the expression of slit2 mRNA increased in most of the malignant mammary tumors, and an increase in slit3 mRNA expression was observed in 2 of the malignant mixed tumors. These results suggest that the expression of slit2 plays an important role in tumor angiogenesis in canine mammary gland tumors and that slit2 can be a putative marker for malignancy diagnosis of these tumors.     

Expression patterns of the implantation-associated genes in the uterus during the estrous cycle in mice

The mRNA expression patterns of EGF, HB-EGF, Amphiregulin, EGF receptor, IGF-1, CSF-1, IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-1 receptor type 1, IL-1 receptor antagonist, LIF, COX-1, COX-2, Mucin-1, calcitonin, and rat USAG-1 mouse homologue, all of which are involved in the process of conceptus implantation to the endometrium, were examined during the estrous cycle by means of real-time quantitative PCR. COX-2, HB-EGF, LIF, Mucin-1, CSF-1, IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, and IL-1 receptor antagonist were temporally regulated during the estrous cycle and highly expressed during the estrous stage. In the case of COX-1, EGF, IGF-1, and EGF receptor, the highest mRNA expression was during the diestrous stage. In contrast, the rat USAG-1 mouse homologue mRNA expression did not change during the estrous cycle. These results indicate that rat USAG-1 mouse homologue expression at implantation might be specifically regulated by embryonic factors rather than the maternal environment.