Erysipelas arthritis in swine: concentrations of complement and third component of complement in synovia.

Concentrations of hemolytic complement and of 3rd component of complement were determined in serums and in synovia of normal and arthritic joints in swine affected with arthritis experimentally produced by the inoculation of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. Mean concentrations of complement in arthritic joints were increased from 24.7 to 37.5 50% hemolytic units of complement per milliliter. Third component of complement, expressed as a percentage of the serum concentration, was increased from a mean of 16.9 (normal joint synovia) to a mean of 27.1 (arthritic joint synovia). Also, fast-migrating conversion products of 3rd component of complement were not detected in synovia from arthritic joints. These results are interpreted as indicating a relatively less important role for immune complexes in the pathogenesis of erysipelothrix arthritis than is described for rheumatoid arthritis in persons.     

Expression of bone morphogenetic protein-6 and -2 and a bone morphogenetic protein antagonist in horses with naturally acquired osteochondrosis

OBJECTIVE: To determine the mRNA expression of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-6 and -2 and a BMP antagonist (Noggin) in horses with osteochondrosis. SAMPLE POPULATION: Samples of articular cartilage from affected stifle or shoulder joints of 10 immature horses with naturally acquired osteochondrosis and corresponding joints of 9 clinically normal horses of similar age; additionally, samples of distal femoral growth plate cartilage and distal femoral articular cartilage were obtained from a normal equine fetus. PROCEDURE: Cartilage specimens were snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen, and total RNA was isolated. Adjacent specimens were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde for histologic examination. Expression of BMP-6, BMP-2, and Noggin mRNA was evaluated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Spatial tissue mRNA expression of BMP-6 was determined by in situ hybridization. RESULTS: Nucleotide sequences were obtained for portions of the BMP-6 propeptide and mature peptide region, as well as the signal and mature peptide region of Noggin. Expression of BMP-6, BMP-2, and Noggin mRNA was found to be similar in cartilage from normal and osteochondrosis-affected horses. Spatial expression of BMP-6 correlated with the middle and deep layers of articular cartilage; no differences were observed in overall expression between cartilage specimens from the 2 groups of horses. No expression of BMP-6 was found in the superficial layer, subchondral bone, or osteochondrosis-affected cleft fibrous tissue. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although these signaling peptides may play important roles in cartilage differentiation, results did not provide evidence to suggest that they are involved in the disease process of osteochondrosis.     

Effects of interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha on expression of matrix-related genes by cultured equine articular chondrocytes

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) on expression and regulation of several matrix-related genes by equine articular chondrocytes. SAMPLE POPULATION: Articular cartilage harvested from grossly normal joints of 8 foals, 6 yearling horses, and 8 adult horses. PROCEDURE: Chondrocytes maintained in suspension cultures were treated with various doses of human recombinant IL-1beta or TNF-alpha. Northern blots of total RNA from untreated and treated chondrocytes were probed with equine complementary DNA (cDNA) probes for cartilage matrix-related genes. Incorporation of 35S-sulfate, fluorography of 14C-proline labeled medium, zymography, and western blotting were used to confirm effects on protein synthesis. RESULTS: IL-1beta and TNF-alpha increased steady-state amounts of mRNA of matrix metalloproteinases 1, 3, and 13 by up to 100-fold. Amount of mRNA of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 also increased but to a lesser extent (1.5- to 2-fold). Amounts of mRNA of type-II collagen and link protein were consistently decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Amount of aggrecan mRNA was decreased slightly; amounts of biglycan and decorin mRNA were minimally affected. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Treatment of cultured equine chondrocytes with IL-1beta or TNF-alpha resulted in marked alterations in expression of various matrix and matrix-related genes consistent with the implicated involvement of these genes in arthritis. Expression of matrix metalloproteinases was increased far more than expression of their putative endogenous inhibitor. Results support the suggestion that IL-1beta and TNF-alpha play a role in the degradation of articular cartilage in arthritis.     

Cytokine and chemokine gene expression of IL-1beta stimulated equine articular chondrocytes

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate mRNA expression of several proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in equine unstimulated and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta)-stimulated chondrocytes. STUDY DESIGN: In vitro experiment using equine chondrocyte cultures. SAMPLE POPULATION: Whole articular cartilage from metacarpophalangeal joints (n=5 horses; 10 fetlocks). METHODS: Chondrocyte monolayer cultures were established from digested adult equine articular cartilage and stimulated with 5 ng/mL of recombinant human IL-1beta. RNA was extracted from the cells 24 hours after stimulation. IL-1beta, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and ubiquitin (house keeping gene) mRNA expression were investigated by real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS: IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-8 mRNA were expressed in unstimulated chondrocytes from macroscopically normal joints and were significantly up-regulated after stimulation (5/5 horses). IL-4 mRNA was not detected in any samples (0/5 horses). TNF-alpha mRNA, by comparison, was expressed in 2/5 unstimulated samples and in all stimulated samples but a considerable sample variation in response to IL-1beta stimulation was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Equine chondrocytes express mRNA for several proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines and IL-1beta modulates their expression. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Chondrocytes express proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines capable of modulating a local inflammatory cascade in articular cartilage, which could potentially lead to focal degradation and osteoarthritis.     

一步法RT-PCR检测禽呼肠孤病毒的研究

根据已发表的禽呼肠孤病毒（ARV）S1133株S1基因序列，设计合成了一对扩增跨幅为532bp的引物。这对引物对ARV标准株，分离株以及人工感染SPF鸡跗关节组织抽提的核酸进行一步法RT-PCR扩增，即将反转录和PCR反应在一个PCR反应管中一次性完成。结果该方法对ARV4个标准株和5个分离株的扩增均获得了与预期大小一致的RT-PCR产物，而对照样品的扩增全为阴性；该方法最低可检测到0.16ng的ARV RNA，还可以直接从感染鸡关节组织抽提的核酸中检测到ARV RNA，表明该一步法RT-PCR对于ARV的检测是可行的。     

Influence of glucosamine on matrix metalloproteinase expression and activity in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated equine chondrocytes

OBJECTIVE: To characterize potential mechanisms of action of glucosamine inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression and activity in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated equine chondrocytes. SAMPLE POPULATION: Chondrocytes cultured from samples of metacarpophalangeal articular cartilage collected from cadaveric limbs of horses. PROCEDURE: The effect of glucosamine on MMP activity in conditioned medium from LPS-stimulated cartilage explants was determined by a colorimetric assay with azocoll substrate. Treatments consisted of negative and positive controls, glucose (50 mM), and glucosamine (50, 25, 6.25, 3, and 1.5 mM). The influence of glucosamine on MMP synthesis was determined in chondrocytes in pellet culture incubated with LPS (20 microg/mL). Concentration of MMP-13 was quantified in spent medium via ELISA; nonspecific MMP activity was determined via azocoll digestion in organomercurial-activated medium. Effects of glucosamine on MMP mRNA concentration in similarly treated chondrocytes were determined by northern blot hybridization with MMP-1, -3, and -13 probes. Statistical analyses were performed with 2-way ANOVA. RESULTS: Glucosamine had no effect on activated MMP activity but inhibited MMP protein expression, as determined by azocoll digestion (glucosamine, 3 to 50 mM) and MMP-13 ELISA (glucosamine, 1.5 to 50 mM). Resting mRNA concentrations for MMP-1, -3, and -13 mRNA were significantly lower in cultures exposed to glucosamine at concentrations of 50 and 25 mM than those of positive controls. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Glucosamine appears capable of pretranslational, and possibly also translational, regulation of MMP expression; data suggest a potential mechanism of action for chondroprotective effects of this aminomonosaccharide.     

Matrix metalloproteinase mRNA expression in canine anal furunculosis lesions

Although the aetiology of anal furunculosis (AF) in dogs is poorly understood, there is evidence for an underlying immune dysfunction. This is illustrated by the presence of a T helper type 1 cytokine mRNA profile in AF lesions and the clinical response to ciclosporin therapy. Expression of MMPs 2, 9 and 13 were evaluated in AF lesional biopsies by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. There was significantly increased expression of both MMP-9 and MMP-13 mRNA in AF biopsies compared to controls (p<0.001) but no significant difference in MMP-2 mRNA expression. Since MMP-9 and MMP-13 are primarily produced by macrophages, these data suggest that ulceration could be the result of aberrant activation of this cell type in the tissues. It is feasible that such pathological macrophage activity occurs in response to interferon-gamma secreted by T helper type 1 cells. This could explain why the lesions resolve following treatment with the immunosuppressive drug ciclosporin.     

基于RNA-Seq筛选ALV-J感染汶上芦花鸡肝差异表达致病相关基因

为挖掘感染ALV-J汶上芦花鸡的肝差异表达致病相关基因。本研究以汶上芦花鸡为试验素材,分别在42和300日龄进行ALV血液病毒分离检测筛选ALV阴性和阳性个体,对ALV阳性个体有病理变化的肝组织和阴性个体肝组织进行PCR检测,分别选取3只ALV阳性（G1组）和阴性（G2组）个体的肝组织,并对G1组PCR产物测序、聚类分析确定ALV亚型,利用RNA-Seq测序技术筛选差异表达基因,并进行功能分析,利用荧光定量qRT-PCR对部分差异表达基因进行验证。结果表明,G1组样品经PCR检测、PCR扩增产物测序和聚类分析确定ALV为J亚型,转录组分析发现,共有42个差异基因在GO和KEGG中富集,其中,上调基因18个,下调基因24个。随机选取的5个差异表达基因qRT-PCR验证结果与RNA-Seq测序结果相一致。GO分析显示,差异表达基因主要涉及细胞过程、代谢过程、对刺激的反应、免疫系统等;KEGG分析显示,差异表达基因主要富集在细胞过程、信号传导、疾病、新陈代谢等信号通路。本研究通过转录组分析发现了影响ALV-J致病性的多个基因和关键信号通路,为深入了解ALV-J致病的分子机制提供了思路。     

Effects of an adenosine kinase inhibitor and an adenosine deaminase inhibitor on accumulation of extracellular adenosine by equine articular chondrocytes

OBJECTIVE: To investigate accumulation of extracellular adenosine (ADO) by equine articular chondrocytes and to compare effects of adenosine kinase inhibition and adenosine deaminase inhibition on the amount of nitric oxide (NO) produced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated chondrocytes. SAMPLE POPULATION: Articular cartilage from metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints of 14 horses. PROCEDURE: Chondrocytes were cultured as monolayers, and cells were incubated with LPS, the adenosine kinase inhibitor 5'-iodotubercidin (ITU), or the adenosine deaminase inhibitor erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)adenine hydrochloride (EHNA). Concentrations of ADO in cell supernatants were measured by use of reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Effect of inhibition of enzymatic metabolism of ADO on induced NO production was evaluated by exposing cells to a combination of LPS and ITU or LPS and EHNA. RESULTS: Articular chondrocytes accumulated extracellular ADO when exposed to LPS or ITU. Chondrocytes exposed to ITU accumulated ADO in a time-dependent manner. Unstimulated chondrocytes did not accumulate ADO. Similarly, EHNA alone did not produce detectable ADO concentrations; however, addition of EHNA and ITU resulted in a synergistic effect on accumulation of ADO. Lipopolysaccharide-induced NO production was more effectively suppressed by exposure to ITU than to EHNA CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Equine articular chondrocytes release ADO in response to the proinflammatory stimulus of bacterial LPS. Inhibition of the metabolism of ADO increases accumulation of extracellular ADO. Autocrine release of ADO from chondrocytes may play a role in the cellular response to tissue damage in arthritic conditions, and pharmacologic modulation of these pathways in joints of arthritic horses could be a potential method of therapy.     

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of antibody to avian reovirus by using protein sigma B as the coating antigen

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using the expressed protein sigma B as the coating antigen (sigma B-ELISA) for detecting antibody to avian reovirus (ARV) in chickens was developed and compared with a conventional ELISA. Both ELISA s and a serum neutralisation (SN) test were used to test the sera from experimentally vaccinated and farm chickens. The sigma B-ELISA could clearly distinguish the SN-positive and -negative sera in 38-week-old chickens. The correlation rate between SN and a sigma B-ELISA was 100 per cent (65/65), and that between SN and conventional ELISA was 84 per cent (55/65). With the sigma B-ELISA, all SN-negative sera had low absorbance values (below 0.06), and the absorbance values correlated closely with the SN titres. However, the sera which were antibody-negative by SN had various absorbance values, ranging from 0.07 to 0.39 in the conventional ELISA. Hence, the sigma B-ELISA had lower non-specific binding reactions than the conventional ELISA against sera from ARV -negative birds. Antibody against ARV could be detected by sigma B-ELISA after vaccination. Absorbance values peaked 4 weeks after vaccination at 2 weeks of age and were maintained until the birds were 27 weeks old. The results suggest that the presence of antibody against viral protein sigma B in birds may be used as a good indicator by the sigma B - ELISA for detecting immune status of a chicken flock or to detect chickens infected with ARV.     

Active expression of matrix metalloproteinase-13 mRNA in the granulation tissue of equine superficial digital flexor tendinitis

The DNA microarray analysis for matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-related mRNA expression in equine superficial digital flexor tendinitis indicated that mRNA level of MMP-13 was apparently up-regulated in the tendinitis as compared to normal tendon. In situ hybridization also revealed that fibroblastic cells proliferated in the granulation tissue generated in the tendinitis actively expressed MMP-13 mRNA. On the other hand, in normal tendon, a few fibroblastic cells and vascular components lied in the endotenon barely expressed its mRNA, but other cellular components in the tendon bundle were not positively hybridized. As mentioned above, MMP-13 but not other collagenases or gelatinases, may play an important role in tendon injuries in the racehorses.     

载入骨形态发生蛋白的羟基磷灰石/丝素蛋白复合支架的细胞相容性研究

骨形态发生蛋白-2(BMP-2)能够促进成骨细胞分化和骨组织的再生。将制备的羟基磷灰石/丝素蛋白(HA/SF)复合支架在50μg/mL BMP-2溶液中浸渍4 h后,获得了载入BMP-2的HA/SF复合支架。体外检测在原核表达系统中表达、纯化的BMP-2有促进细胞增殖的生物活性;BMP-2从HA/SF复合支架中的释放可持续9 d,并保持其生物活性,其中BMP-2在第1天的释放率即达到了43%;细胞实验结果显示,与空白HA/SF复合支架相比,载入BMP-2的HA/SF复合支架可以促进人骨肉瘤细胞(MG-63)的增殖与分化;RT-PCR检测BMP-2的加入使细胞内骨钙素基因mRNA转录水平明显提高,即骨钙素基因的表达增强。研究结果提示:HA/SF复合支架可吸附BMP-2并使其缓慢释放,从而促进细胞的增殖与分化,具有良好的细胞相容性,是一种较理想的骨组织缺损修复材料。     

新城疫病毒感染鸡肾脏组织蛋白质组学方法条件的优化

为研究新城疫病毒(NDV)与宿主组织细胞之间的相互作用关系,本研究以NDV疫苗(La Sota)接种的鸡肾脏组织为材料,对其差异蛋白的表达进行分析,通过条件的优化,建立了NDV感染鸡肾脏组织的双向凝胶电泳检测方法。采用ImageMaster2D Platinum version 6.0软件对电泳图谱分析后显示:24 cm IPG胶条(pH4～pH7)对应的凝胶中可检测到约1 400个蛋白点,蛋白点匹配率达90%,表明NDV感染鸡肾脏组织蛋白质组双向凝胶电泳模型稳定、分辨率高、重复性好,在对4个时间点对照和人工感染凝胶分析过程中发现差异蛋白点主要集中于接种后7 d,该样品的2-DE电泳图谱中共有29个差异表达明显的蛋白点,其中上调表达蛋白点有15个,下调表达蛋白点有14个,利用荧光定量PCR对其中4个差异蛋白在mRNA水平进行检测,结果与双向电泳结果一致,NDV接种鸡肾脏组织蛋白质组学方法的建立为NDV致病机理的研究提供有效的方法。     

基于转录组测序挖掘广西麻鸡生长发育相关基因

【目的】通过对1和60日龄广西麻鸡腿肌进行转录组测序(RNA-Seq),筛选出广西麻鸡生长发育关键基因。【方法】选择1和60日龄健康母鸡各3只,分别采集腿肌组织,利用Illumina Novaseq^TM 6000平台进行mRNA转录组测序,利用DESeq2软件进行差异表达基因的分析,并对差异表达基因进行GO功能和KEGG通路富集分析,进一步筛选出生长发育相关基因,并用实时荧光定量PCR验证转录组测序结果。【结果】转录组测序结果显示,6个样本分别获得34 296 198～41 647 642条clean reads。与1日龄腿肌相比,60日龄腿肌共获得2 304个差异表达基因,其中998个基因上调,1 306个基因下调。GO功能富集分析发现,共获得富集条目572条,其中生物过程381条,细胞组分70条,分子功能121条。KEGG通路富集分析发现,共获得34个显著富集的信号通路,其中心肌收缩、MAPK信号通路、紧密连接、肌动蛋白细胞骨架信号通路、心肌细胞中的肾上腺素能信号传导等与生长发育相关。通过GO功能和KEGG通路富集分析获得5个生长发育相关基因,分别为肌球蛋白重...     

An unusual case of concomitant infection with chicken astrovirus and group A avian rotavirus in broilers with a history of severe clinical signs

A molecular study of intestinal samples from 21 broiler flocks with a history of enteritis revealed that 23.8% and 14.3% were positive for chicken astrovirus (CAstV) and avian rotavirus (ARV), respectively. CAstV and group A ARV were simultaneously detected in only one broiler flock. Birds in this group developed the significant intestinal lesions characterized by frothy contents, paleness, and thin intestinal walls. In this report we present an unusual case of runting stunting syndrome (RSS) with a history of high mortality and growth retardation in broiler chickens. We also make the first identification of CAstV and group A ARV in broiler chickens in Korea.     

Phenotypic maintenance of articular chondrocytes in vitro requires BMP activity.

Articular chondrocytes are phenotypically unique cells that are responsible for the maintenance of articular cartilage. The articular chondrocytic phenotype is influenced by a range of soluble factors. In particular, members of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family support the articular chondrocytic phenotype and stimulate synthesis of cartilaginous matrix. This study was carried out to determine the importance of BMPs in supporting the differentiated phenotype of articular chondrocytes in vitro. Exogenous BMP-2 supported expression of collagen type II and aggrecan in monolayer chondrocyte cultures, slowing the dedifferentiation process that occurs under these conditions. In contrast, BMP-2 had little effect on expression of these genes in three-dimensional aggregate cultures. Endogenous BMP-2 expression was lost in monolayer cultures, coincident with the down-regulation of collagen type II and aggrecan mRNAs, whereas BMP-2 mRNA levels were stable in aggregate cultures. Antagonism of endogenous BMP activity in aggregate cultures by Noggin or a soluble form of the BMP receptor resulted in reduced expression of collagen type II and aggrecan mRNAs, reduced collagen type II protein and sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) deposition into the aggregate matrices and reduced secretion of GAGs into the culture media. These results indicate that endogenous BMPs are required for maintenance of the differentiated articular chondrocytic phenotype in vitro. These findings are of importance to cell-based strategies designed to repair articular cartilage. Articular chondrocytes require conditions that will support endogenous expression of BMPs to maintain the specialized phenotype of these cells.