Functional activities of the Tsh protein from avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) strains

The temperature-sensitive hemagglutinin (Tsh) expressed by strains of avian pathogenic Escherichia (E.) coli (APEC) has both agglutinin and protease activities. Tsh is synthesized as a 140 kDa precursor protein, whose processing results in a 106 kDa passenger domain (Tsh_s) and a 33 kDa β-domain (Tsh_β). In this study, both recombinant Tsh (rTsh) and supernatants from APEC, which contain Tsh_s (106 kDa), caused proteolysis of chicken tracheal mucin. Both rTsh (140 kDa) and pellets from wild-type APEC, which contain Tsh_β (33 kDa), agglutinated chicken erythrocytes. On Western blots, the anti-rTsh antibody recognized the rTsh and 106 kDa proteins in recombinant E. coli BL21/pET 101-Tsh and in the supernatants from APEC grown at either 37℃ or 42℃. Anti-rTsh also recognized a 33 kDa protein in the pellets from APEC13 cultures grown in either Luria-Bertani agar, colonization factor antigen agar, or mucin agar at either 26℃, 37℃, or 42℃, and in the extracts of outer membrane proteins of APEC. The 106 kDa protein was more evident when the bacteria were grown at 37℃ in mucin agar, and it was not detected when the bacteria were grown at 26℃ in any of the culture media used in this study. Chicken anti-Tsh serum inhibited hemagglutinating and mucinolytic activities of strain APEC13 and recombinant E. coli BL21/pET101-Tsh. This work suggests that the mucinolytic activity of Tsh might be important for the colonization of the avian tracheal mucous environment by APEC.     

Immune response of BALB/c mouse immunized with recombinant MSPs proteins of Anaplasma marginale binding to immunostimulant complex (ISCOM)

Anaplasmosis, caused by Anaplasma marginale, results in significant economic losses of cattle in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Six major surface proteins (MSPs) were well characterized and designated as MSP1, MSP2, MSP3, MSP4, and MSP5. The objective of this study was to evaluate the humoral immune response of BALB/c mice against the recombinant MSPs, incorporated into immunostimulating complex (ISCOM). The recombinant proteins purified by Ni-NTA columns were incorporated into ISCOM and ISCOMATRIX by the lipid film hydration method. BALB/c mice immunized with ISCOM/rMSPs and ISCOMATRIX/rMSPs vaccines produced whole IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a, in contrast to the negative groups (PBS and ISCOMATRIX adjuvant). All groups that received antigen responded specifically against the rMSPs by Western blotting, showing the rMSP1a (60-105kDa), rMSP1b (100kDa), rMSP4 (47kDa), and rMSP5 (29kDa). Additional studies will have to be performed in cattle to evaluate the humoral and cellular mechanisms of this subunit vaccine and their possible use as protective vaccines against homologous and heterologous strains of A. marginale.     

边缘无浆体MSP5基因片段的克隆与原核表达

目的克隆边缘无浆体MSP5基因,构建重组质粒,并进行表达与鉴定。方法根据GenBank公布的边缘无浆体MSP 5基因序列(AY714547)设计一对引物,无菌颈静脉采集边缘无浆体阳性的牛血,用PCR方法从4血的DNA模板中扩增MSP 5基因582bp的片断。将该片段克隆到原核表达载体pGEX-KG中,构建原核表达载体KG-MSP5,转化BL21,经IPTG的诱导表达蛋白。利用BugBuster GST Bind Purification Kit将其纯化,经Western blotting进行分析。结果重组质粒KG-MSP5,转化BL21,在IPTG的诱导下表达大小约46 kPa蛋白。western blotting分析表明其具有很好的免疫原性。结论本研究为边缘无浆体的血清学诊断试剂盒的研制奠定了基础。     

Mapping of B-cell epitopes in the N-terminal repeated peptides of Anaplasma marginale major surface protein 1a and characterization of the humoral immune response of cattle immunized with recombinant and whole organism antigens

Major surface protein (MSP) 1a of the genus type species Anaplasma marginale (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) together with MSP1b forms the MSP1 complex. MSP1a has been shown to be involved in adhesion, infection and tick transmission of A. marginale, as well as to contribute to protective immunity in cattle. A differential antibody response to MSP1a and MSP1b was observed in cattle immunized with A. marginale derived from bovine erythrocytes (anti-MSP1a response) or cultured tick cells (anti-MSP1b response). In this study, we further characterized the MSP1a antibody response of cattle using several immunogens, including recombinant MSP1a (rMSP1a) protein, erythrocyte- or tick cell culture-derived A. marginale, or a combination of tick cell culture-derived A. marginale and rMSP1a. The MSP1a antibody response to all these immunogens was directed primarily against the N-terminal region of MSP1a that contains tandemly repeated peptides, whereas low antibody levels were detected against the C-terminal portion. Linear B-cell epitopes of MSP1a were mapped using synthetic peptides representing the entire sequence of the protein that were prepared by SPOT synthesis technology. Only two peptides in the N-terminal repeats were recognized by sera from immunized cattle. These peptides shared the sequence SSAGGQQQESS, which is likely to contain the linear B-cell epitope that was recognized by the pools of bovine sera. The average differential of antibody titers against MSP1a minus those against MSP1b correlated with lower percent reductions in PCV. A preferential antibody response to MSP1a was observed in cattle immunized with erythrocyte-derived, cell culture-derived plus rMSP1a or rMSP1a alone, and the percent reduction PCV was significantly lower in these cattle as compared with the other immunization groups. These results provide insight into the bovine antibody response against A. marginale and the role of MSP1a in protection of cattle against A. marginale infection.     

The natural history of Anaplasma marginale

The intracellular pathogen Anaplasma marginale (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae), described by Sir Arnold Theiler in 1910, is endemic worldwide in tropical and subtropical areas. Infection of cattle with A. marginale causes bovine anaplasmosis, a mild to severe hemolytic disease that results in considerable economic loss to both dairy and beef industries. Transmission of A. marginale to cattle occurs biologically by ticks and mechanically by biting flies and by blood-contaminated fomites. Both male ticks and cattle hosts become persistently infected with A. marginale and serve as reservoirs of infection. While erythrocytes are the major site of infection in cattle, A. marginale undergoes a complex developmental cycle in ticks that begins by infection of gut cells, and transmission to susceptible hosts occurs from salivary glands during feeding. Major surface proteins (MSPs) play a crucial role in the interaction of A. marginale with host cells, and include adhesion proteins and MSPs from multigene families that undergo antigenic change and selection in cattle, thus contributing to maintenance of persistent infections. Many geographic strains of A. marginale have been identified worldwide, which vary in genotype, antigenic composition, morphology and infectivity for ticks. Isolates of A. marginale may be maintained by independent transmission events and a mechanism of infection/exclusion in cattle and ticks. The increasing numbers of A. marginale genotypes identified in some geographic regions most likely resulted from intensive cattle movement. However, concurrent A. marginale strain infections in cattle was reported, but these strains were more distantly related. Phylogenetic studies of selected geographic isolates of A. marginale, using msp4 and msp1α, provided information about the biogeography and evolution of A. marginale, and msp1α genotypes appear to have evolved under positive selection pressure. Live and killed vaccines have been used for control of anaplasmosis and both types of vaccines have advantages and disadvantages. Vaccines have effectively prevented clinical anaplasmosis in cattle but have failed to block A. marginale infection. Vaccines are needed that can prevent clinical disease and, simultaneously, prevent infection in cattle and ticks, thus eliminating these hosts as reservoirs of infection. Advances in genomics, proteomics, immunology and biochemical and molecular technologies during the last decade have been applied to research on A. marginale and related organisms, and the recent development of a cell culture system for A. marginale has provided a format for studying the pathogen/tick interface. Recent advancements and new research methodologies should provide additional opportunities for development of new strategies for control and prevention of bovine anaplasmosis.     

日本脑炎病毒NS1基因在大肠杆菌中的高效表达

提取日本脑炎病毒弱毒株SA14-14-2的基因组RNA,用RT-PCR扩增其NS1基因cDNA,将其克隆到原核表达载体pET-30b(+)中,转化大肠杆菌BL-21(DE3),经IPTG诱导,NS1基因获得高效表达.SDS-PAGE分析显示,表达的融合蛋白表观相对分子质量约为46 000,重组NS1蛋白占菌体总蛋白的30.8%.Western blotting分析表明,重组蛋白具有良好的免疫原性.     

Egg yolk IgY against RHDV capsid protein VP60 promotes rabbit defense against RHDV infection

VP60 capsid protein is the major structural and immunogenicity protein of RHDV (Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus, RHDV), and has been implicated as a main protein antigen in RHDV diagnosis and vaccine design. In this report, egg yolk antibody (IgY) against N-terminal of VP60 was evaluated and developed as a new strategy for RHDV therapy. Briefly, N-terminal of VP60 (～250aa) fragment was cloned and inserted into pET28a expression vector, and then the resultant plasmid, pET28a/VP60-N, was transformed into E. coli BL21(DE3) for recombinant VP60-N protein (rVP60-N) expression. Next, the rVP60-N was purified by Ni⁺-affinity purification chromatography and identified by Western blotting with RHDV antiserum. After immunizing the chickens with rVP60-N, the anti-rVP60-N IgY was isolated, and the activity and specificity of the IgY antibody were analyzed by ELISA and Western blotting. In our results, the rVP60-N could be expressed in E. coli as soluble fraction, and the isolated anti-rVP60-N IgY demonstrated a high specificity and titer (1:22,000) against rVP60-N antigen. For further evaluation of the IgY efficacy in vivo, rabbits were grouped randomly and challenged with RHDV, and the results showed that anti-rVP60-N IgY could significantly protect rabbits from virus infection and promote the host survival after a sustained treatment with anti-rVP60-N IgY for 5 days. Taken together, our study demonstrates evidence that production of IgY against VP60 could be as a novel strategy for the RHDV therapy.     

人补体C1INH基因的原核表达及其抗血清的制备

 采用PCR技术获得人补体C1INH基因全长,以其为模板扩增出抗原表位基因片段命名为C1,然后将C1片段重组到pET32a(+)载体中,筛选阳性克隆,转化大肠杆菌;IPTG诱导表达,用超声波裂解重组菌BL21培养物,纯化蛋白后免疫新西兰兔制备抗血清。SDS-PAGE分析表明,pET32a-C1融合蛋白在大肠杆菌BL21（DE3）菌株中以包涵体形式高效表达;获得的抗血清经间接ELISA法检测效价为1∶6 400;Western-blot检测显示,抗血清可与原核表达的C1INH蛋白进行特异性结合,为进一步检测真核表达蛋白及研究rhC1INH的功能活性,并为C1INH的临床检测奠定基础。     

Anaplasma marginale infection in a Japanese Black cow 13 years after eradication of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus in Okinawa, Japan

In October 2007, a 15-year-old Japanese Black cow on Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan, was diagnosed with Anaplasma marginale infection based on clinical symptoms, blood examination, smear observation, 16S rRNA and groEL gene sequence analysis, and the result of a CF test. The cow was introduced into the farm from mainland Japan as a calf in 1993, one year before the eradication of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, the main vector of A. marginale in Okinawa Prefecture. It is possible that the cow was first infected with A. marginale as a calf in Ishigaki Island and had been persistently infected since then. This is the first reported clinical case of A. marginale infection of cattle since the eradication of R. microplus in Okinawa Prefecture. Additional analysis of major surface protein 1α amino acid sequences revealed that the A. marginale Okinawa strain presented four new repeat forms which were not seen in other strains. This indicates that the Okinawa strain may be a unique geographical variant of A. marginale.     

Targeting the Tick/Pathogen Interface for Developing New Anaplasmosis Vaccine Strategies

Bovine anaplasmosis is a tick-borne hemolytic disease of cattle that occurs worldwide caused by the intraerythrocytic rickettsiae Anaplasma marginale. Control measures, including use of acaricides, administration of antibiotics and vaccines, have varied with geographic location. Our research is focused on the tick-pathogen interface for development of new vaccine strategies with the goal of reducing anaplasmosis, tick infestations and the vectorial capacity of ticks. Toward this approach, we have targeted (1) development of an A. marginale cell culture system to provide a non-bovine antigen source, (2) characterization of an A. marginale adhesion protein, and (3) identification of key tick protective antigens for reduction of tick infestations. A cell culture system for propagation of A. marginale was developed and provided a non-bovine source of A. marginale vaccine antigen. The A. marginale adhesion protein, MSP1a, was characterized and use of recombinant MSP1a in vaccine formulations reduced clinical anaplasmosis and infection levels in ticks that acquired infection on immunized cattle. Most recently, we identified a tick-protective antigen, subolesin, that reduced tick infestations, as well as the vectorial capacity of ticks for acquisition and transmission of A marginale. This integrated approach to vaccine development shows promise for developing new strategies for control of bovine anaplasmosis.     

伪狂犬病病毒gB和gE蛋白重组表达及抗体间接ELISA检测方法的建立

本研究利用PCR扩增伪狂犬病病毒(PRV)Bartha-K61株gB基因核心抗原区和闵A株gE基因核心抗原区,构建了重组质粒pET-32a-gB和pET-32a-gE,并转化至大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)感受态细胞中,经IPTG诱导进行表达.SDS-PAGE分析表明,pET32a-gB蛋白分子量约为44 kDa,pET3...     

The protective effect of a Toxoplasma gondii SAG1 plasmid DNA vaccine in mice is enhanced with IL-18

More effective vaccines against Toxoplasma gondii may contribute to the control of this pathogen that has major veterinary and public health significance. In this study, two recombinant plasmids pcDNA/TgSAG1 and pVAX/mIL-18 containing T. gondii SAG1 (TgSAG1) and murine cytokine interleukin-18 (IL-18) were evaluated for their ability to protect mice against T. gondii challenge. Mice were given two intramuscular immunizations 3 weeks apart, and challenged with T. gondii 3 weeks later. All animals vaccinated with pcDNA/TgSAG1 alone or with pVAX/mIL-18 developed specific anti-TLA (T. gondii lysate antigen) antibodies and specific lymphocyte proliferative responses. Co-injection of pVAX/mIL-18 significantly increased the production of IFN-γ and IL-2. Further, challenge experiments showed that co-immunization with pVAX/mIL-18 significantly (P < 0.05) increased the survival rate (60%), compared with pcDNA/TgSAG1 alone (40%). Therefore, codelivery of the IL-18-secreting plasmid potentiates the induction and maintenance of the type 1 helper T-cell immune response and may be a potent strategy for enhancing the protective efficacy of vaccines against T. gondii.     

Optimization of in-house ELISA based on recombinant major sperm protein (rMSP) of Dictyocaulus viviparus for the detection of lungworm infection in cattle

The aim of this study was to optimize an in-house ELISA based on a recombinant version of the major sperm protein (MSP) of Dictyocaulus viviparus for routine diagnosis of lungworm infection in cattle. A recombinant MSP (rMSP) was cloned into pGEX-6P-1 vector and expressed as a glutathione-S-transferase (GST) fusion protein in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) chemically competent cells. The product was then employed as capture antigen in an ELISA, and validated against 304 samples of known status (216 negative and 88 positive) in which the antibody levels in sera had also been measured earlier with a commercial ELISA kit (Ceditest® lungworm ELISA). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis of the ELISA results estimated the optimized diagnostic sensitivity and specificity as 97.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 91.9–99.7%) and 98.1% (CI: 95.3–99.5%), respectively. The results from the in-house rMSP-based ELISA were compared with results obtained on both fecal examination and the Ceditest® lungworm ELISA. Rising antibody levels in sera of experimentally infected calves were observed between 21 and 28 days post infection, when patency was also confirmed by the presence of larvae in feces. Notably, using the in-house rMSP-based ELISA infection was confirmed in calves shedding larvae approximately 3–4 weeks post inoculation, while using the Ceditest® lungworm ELISA those animals remained negative. Additionally, 251 sera samples from calves naturally exposed to the parasites on pasture were used to evaluate the test. In in-house rMSP-based ELISA no cross-reactions were observed with sera from calves infected with the gastrointestinal nematodes (Ostertagia ostertagi and Cooperia oncophora), even though the presence of eggs in the feces was confirmed. Overall, the in-house rMSP-based ELISA optimized in this study showed excellent diagnostic performance for detection of lungworm infection in cattle.     

Phylogenetic analysis of the genus Anaplasma in Southwestern China based on 16S rRNA sequence

To identify the species within the genus Anaplasma circulating among ruminants in the Southwest of China, we performed the phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene of two Anaplasma isolates from cattle and seven from goats. The two sequences obtained from cattle strains belonged to the A. marginale cluster, whereas the other seven sequences from caprine strains formed two Anaplasma spp. clusters, which diverged earlier than the clusters of A. marginale, A. centrale and A. ovis. These results indicate that there are at least two Anaplasma species circulating among ruminants in Southwestern China.     

Synthesis, cloning, and expression of Mycoplasma suis inorganic pyrophosphatase gene using PCR-based accurate synthesis and overlap-extension PCR, and its immunogenicity analysis

Mycoplasma suis (M. suis), a hemotrophic pathogen of pigs, causes economic losses in swine production throughout the world. Inorganic pyrophosphatase (ppa) is a very important gene in M. suis. The ppa gene of M. suis was synthesized by PCR-based accurate synthesis (PAS) and overlapextension PCR, inserted into vector pMD18-T, and then subcloned to the prokaryotic expression vector pET28c.The recombinant plasmid pET28c_ppa was transformed to E. coli BL21 for expression under induction of isopropyl thiogalactoside. The expressed product was identified by SDS–PAGE and Western blot, which suggested that the recombinant protein has good antigenicity. Piglets were immunised with purified recombinant protein, and specific antibodies to the recombinant protein were detected in piglet serum. The results show that the ppa gene can be efficiently expressed in E. coli and that the expressed recombinant protein can elicit a specific serum antibody response in piglets. PAS and overlap-extension PCR were first used to synthesize the ppa of M. suis. They provide simple, rapid, reliable and relatively inexpensive methods to synthesize, clone, and express genes. The experiment conducted in this paper will enable future research into the role and function of the ppa gene.     

Experimental in vitro transmission of Babesia sp. (EU1) by Ixodes ricinus

Babesia sp. (EU1), first characterized in 2003, has been implicated in human cases of babesiosis in Italy, Austria and Germany. It has been identified in roe deer and in its suspected tick vector, Ixodes ricinus, in several European countries. The aim of the present study was to validate the competence of I. ricinus as a vector of Babesia sp. (EU1) via experimental infections. For this purpose, a parasite strain isolated from roe deer was cloned in sheep erythrocytes. After experimental infections, parasite DNA was successfully amplified by PCR in both eggs and larvae originating from infected I. ricinus females and in the salivary glands of females exposed to Babesia sp. (EU1) as nymphs. We also demonstrate that infected females were able to transmit parasite DNA during a new blood meal. Together with previous epidemiological studies, these results validate I. ricinus as a competent vector for Babesia sp. (EU1).     

Outbreak of anaplasmosis associated with novel genetic variants of Anaplasma marginale in a dairy cattle

During early lactation, dairy cows may present a transient immunosuppressive state and develop anaplasmosis caused by Anaplasma marginale. In this study, clinical anaplasmosis in dairy cattle in the Thrace region of Turkey was investigated with respect to within-herd prevalence, vertical transmission, and genetic diversity. In March and September 2015, thirty lactating cows showed primary clinical signs of anaplasmosis, including fever, anaemia, decreased milk yield, anorexia, and laboured breathing. Symptoms disappeared in most cows after administration of long-acting oxytetracycline, but nine of them (30%) died. Following diagnosis based on clinical signs, microscopy and molecular findings, blood samples were collected from apparently healthy lactating cows (n = 184), pregnant heifers (n = 39) and newborn calves (n = 24). DNA was extracted from each sample and analyzed for the presence of major surface proteins (MSPs) of A. marginale, followed by sequencing to assess diversity of isolates. Microscopic examination of erythrocytes revealed A. marginale inclusion bodies in symptomatic cows. Examination of thin blood smears showed 3.8% of the lactating, clinically asymptomatic, cows to be infected with A. marginale, while nPCR detected 31.0% positive. A. marginale infection was not detected in pregnant heifers by either method. Congenital infection was found in one calf by nPCR. This is the first report of transplacental transmission of A. marginale in Turkey. The MSP4 sequence analyses showed high genetic diversity among the isolates, presenting 97.6-99.6% homology at the amino acid level. The sequences of MSP1a amplicons revealed genetic diversity providing three new tandem repeats.     

PADRE-TGFβ1融合蛋白的原核表达及鉴定

构建PADRE-TGFβ1原核表达质粒,并对其进行诱导表达和反应原性分析.对PADRE、联接序列(Linker)及TGFβ1的基因序列进行密码子优化,采用全基因合成的方法人工合成全长PADRE-Linker-TGFβ1序列,合成产物克隆至pET-28a(+)质粒.将构建好的质粒转化至E.coli BL21(DE3)感受...     

Seroprevalence of antibody to NcSAG1 antigen of Neospora caninum in cattle from Western Java,Indonesia

Neospora caninum can cause fetal abortion and neonatal mortality in cattle, and is a cause of economic concern worldwide. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Neospora caninum-specific antibodies in cattle from Western Java, Indonesia. Serum samples from 991 cattle from 21 locations were tested for antibodies to N. caninum by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) on the basis of recombinant NcSAG1. The overall seroprevalence was 16.6%, ranging from 0 to 87.5% in the sampled locations. The results of this study indicate latent infection rates of sampled animals were different in each location. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the relationship between N. caninum infection and abortion in cattle, and to identify risk factors for infection in high-prevalence environments.