High sensitivity of thymocytes of LEC strain rats to induction of apoptosis by X-irradiation

It is known that physical disruption of cell contacts induces apoptosis of thymocytes. When thymocytes from LEC and WKAH rats were incubated in vitro at 37 degrees C for 0-6 hr and then the proportion of apoptotic cells was determined using a flow cytometer, it was found that the percentages of apoptotic thymocytes from both LEC and WKAH rats increased with incubation time and that the proportion of apoptotic cells from LEC rats was significantly higher than that from WKAH rats at each incubation time. The fact that cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis, did not show significant inhibitory effects on induction of apoptosis of thymocytes indicates that induction of apoptosis during in vitro cultivation did not require de novo protein synthesis. When thymocytes from LEC and WKAH rats were X-irradiated in vitro at 4 and 8 Gy, the percentages of radiation-induced apoptotic cells increased with post-incubation time after X-irradiation in both LEC and WKAH rat thymocytes and the proportions of apoptotic cells from LEC rats were significantly higher than those from WKAH rat cells at 2 and 4 hr post-incubation after X-irradiation. When thymocytes from LEC and WKAH rats were X-irradiated in the presence of cycloheximide, the induction of apoptosis was substantially inhibited, indicating that radiation-induced apoptosis of thymocytes from LEC and WKAH rats required de novo protein synthesis. The present results showed high sensitivities of thymocytes of LEC rats to induction of apoptosis during in vitro cultivation and by X-irradiation.     

Caspase activation in equine influenza virus induced apoptotic cell death.

Equine influenza virus (EIV) is the leading cause of acute respiratory infection in horses worldwide. In recent years, the precise mechanism by which influenza infection kills host cells is being re-evaluated. In this report, we examined whether caspases, a group of intracellular proteases, are activated following EIV infection and contribute to EIV-mediated cell death. Western blotting analysis indicated that a nuclear target of caspase-3, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) was proteolytically cleaved in EIV-infected MDCK cells, but not in mock-infected cells. In comparison with caspase-3 specific inhibitor Ac-DEVD-CHO, a general caspase inhibitor Boc-D-FMK provided much stronger inhibition of EIV-induced cytopathic effect and apoptosis. Our results suggest that EIV may activate more than one caspase. Caspase activation and cleavage of its cellular targets may play a critical role in EIV-mediated cytotoxicity.     

Characteristics of glycoprotein B of equine herpesvirus 1 expressed by a recombinant baculovirus.

A recombinant baculovirus (Bac-EgB) containing the complete open reading frame of equine herpesvirus 1 glycoprotein B (EHV-1 gB) expressed recombinant products of 107-133 kDa, 58-75 kDa and 53-57 kDa, corresponding to EHV-1 gB precursor, large and small subunits respectively. High molecular mass products (>200 kDa) in the Bac-EgB infected insect cells were consistent with oligomerisation of the recombinant EHV-1 gB products, and analysis with tunicamycin and endoglycosidases indicated that the baculovirus-expressed gB contained N-linked sugars with high mannose and hybrid chains. N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis of the gB forms revealed identical signal and endoproteolytic cleavage sites to those of gB in EHV-1 infected mammalian cells, and authenticity of processing and transport was supported by the presence of EHV-1 gB antigen at the surface of infected insect cells. Immunogold labelling and electron microscopy of recombinant baculovirus particles indicated that the recombinant gB was also present in baculovirus envelopes. Bac-EgB infected insect cells were able to induce low levels of complement dependent virus neutralising antibody, and have been shown to evoke protective immune responses in murine models of respiratory disease and abortion.     

Characterization of pseudorabies virus glycoprotein B expressed by canine herpesvirus

A recombinant canine herpesvirus (CHV) which expressed glycoprotein B (gB) of pseudorabies virus (PrV) was constructed. The antigenicity of the PrV gB expressed by the recombinant CHV is similar to that of the native PrV. The expressed PrV gB was shown to be transported to the surface of infected cells as judged by an indirected immunofluorescence test. Antibodies raised in mice immunized with the recombinant CHV neutralized the infectivity of PrV in vitro. It is known that the authentic PrV gB exists as a glycoprotein complex, which consists of gBa, gBb and gBc. In MDCK cells, PrV gB expressed by the recombinant CHV was processed like authentic PrV gB, suggesting that the cleavage mechanism of PrV gB depends on a functional cleavage domain from PrV gB gene and protease from infected cells.     

Interleukin‐11 receptor alpha is expressed on canine osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma (OSA) is the most common bone tumour in humans and companion animals, and has a poor long‐term prognosis. The identification of new markers and targeted therapies may help increase long‐term survival of these patients. Previous studies have demonstrated that interleukin‐11 receptor alpha (IL‐11Rα) is expressed in human and murine OSA but not in normal bone. The current study demonstrated via western analysis, immunoflourescence and immunohistochemistry that IL‐11Rα was expressed in primary canine OSA tissues as well as in a number of canine OSA cell lines, but not in normal canine bone. Cytotoxin‐conjugated antibodies targeting IL‐11Rα‐mediated canine OSA cytotoxicity. Thus, canine OSA may be a valuable model for the evaluation of IL‐11Rα directed therapies.     

Effect of aflatoxin B1 on resistance induced by Bordetella bronchiseptica vaccine in rabbits

The effects of aflatoxin B1 on the development of the immune response to oil-adjuvanted Bordetella bronchiseptica vaccine and on acquired resistance to bacterial challenge were studied in rabbits. The doses of aflatoxin used were insufficient to produce clinical intoxication. Rabbits were randomly assigned to three groups, each having six animals: control (T), vaccinated (V), and vaccinated plus aflatoxin (VA) at 0.05 mg/kg daily per os. Groups V and VA were vaccinated twice, and the three groups were subsequently challenged with virulent B. bronchiseptica. The average weight gain at weekly intervals was significantly reduced in group VA, and no statistically significant differences were found in the titers of agglutinating antibodies between groups V and VA. There were significant differences between groups V and VA in the extent and severity of the pneumonic process, group VA being most affected. Results indicated that agglutinating antibody titers were not related to the level of protection in the latter group. Other mechanisms, such as alveolar macrophage activity and cell-mediated immunity, were implicated in the impairment of the acquired resistance in rabbits subclinically intoxicated with aflatoxin.     

鹿角盘不同提取部位对环磷酰胺致小鼠骨质疏松的防治作用

建立了环磷酰胺所致小鼠骨质疏松模型,利用空白对照组和葡萄糖酸钙阳性组做对比,以小鼠免疫器官脏器指数、股骨计量学、骨钙、磷、镁、骨羟脯氨酸含量为指标观察鹿角盘提取物对小鼠免疫功能、骨量的影响.结果:20mg/(kg·d)环磷酰胺可引起小鼠胸腺指数下降(P＜0.01),股骨干重、股骨横径减少(P＜0.01),股骨长减少(P＜0.05),骨钙、羟脯氨酸含量同时下降(P＜0.01),引起小鼠骨丢失;鹿角盘水提物和70％乙醇提取物均可增加小鼠股骨的干重和骨钙的含量,水提物高剂量组和70％乙醇提取物高低、高剂量组使骨羟脯氨酸含量显著提高.结果表明鹿角盘对以低转换型骨丢失为特征的骨质疏松具有一定的预防作用.     

Leukoencephalomalacia in two horses induced by oral dosing of fumonisin B1

Leukoencephalomalacia (LEM) was induced by the oral administration of fumonisin B1 (FB1) to 2 horses: a filly received 59.5 mg/kg of a 50% preparation of FB1, administered in 21 doses of 1.25-4 mg/kg over 33 days; a colt, 44.3 mg/kg of 95% pure FB1 in 20 doses of 1-4 mg/kg in 29 days. Both animals developed nervous signs such as apathy, changes in temperament, inco-ordination, walking into objects, and one showed paralysis of the lips and tongue. Characteristic lesions of LEM were present in the brains. These trials proved conclusively that FB1 can induce LEM in horses.     

硒对黄曲霉毒素B1中毒雏鸭肾组织抗氧化功能的影响

为观察黄曲霉毒素B1(aflatoxin B1,AFTBl)对试验雏鸭肾组织抗氧化功能的影响及亚硒酸钠对AFTBl的颉颃效应.本试验以雏鸭为试验动物,7日龄雏鸭90只,共分为3组,每组各30只.第Ⅰ组设为空白对照组,灌胃同等量二甲基哑砜;第Ⅱ、Ⅲ组为试验组.每天分别按0.1 mg/kg体重剂量给第Ⅱ、Ⅲ组雏鸭灌胃AFTB11次,连续投药21 d,试验期间给第Ⅲ组雏鸭每天按1 mg/kg体重剂量灌胃亚硒酸钠(Na2 SeO3)1次.分别在给雏鸭投药后7、14、21d,检测雏鸭肾组织总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氧酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)及丙二醛( MDA)等抗氧化指标.试验结果显示,第Ⅱ、Ⅲ组雏鸭肾组织SOD、CAT、GSH-Px及GR活性与T-AOC均显著低于第Ⅰ组(P＜0.05),而MDA显著高于第Ⅰ组(P＜0.05);与第Ⅱ组相比,经灌胃投用亚硒酸钠的第Ⅲ组雏鸭肾组织各项抗氧化指标均得到明显的改善(P＜0.05).结果表明,黄曲霉毒素B1导致雏鸭肾组织抗氧化功能发生显著的变化,而亚硒酸钠能明显改善其变化.     

鸡传染性法氏囊病病毒VP3蛋白的原核表达及其B细胞抗原表位鉴定

为鉴定鸡传染性法氏囊病病毒(IBDV)VP3蛋白中的B细胞抗原表位,本研究将IBDV的VP3基因亚克隆于pET-28a中,构建了表达重组质粒pETVP3,经IPTG诱导在E.coli BL21(DE3)中表达了重组蛋白(rVP3).Western blot鉴定表明,rVP3能被IBDV抗血清特异性识别.同时,根据IBDV VP3的氨基酸序列,合成覆盖VP3全序列的重叠多肽,并与载体蛋白BSA藕联制备多肽人工结合抗原.Peptide-ELISA和Dot-ELISA检测结果表明VP3中有2个线性表位可以被已制备的单克隆抗体(MAb)识别,即~(728)PRDWDRLPYLNL~(739)和~(982)PKPKPKPNAPTQ~(993);Dot-ELISA结果显示,在VP3中还存在另外4个线性多克隆抗体识别位点:~(818)SLANAPQAGSKSQRA~(831),~(851)QREKD TIUSKKMETMGIYFATP~(872),~(876)ALNGHRGPSPGQLKYWQNTREI~(897)和~(961)QMKDLLLTAMEMK~(973).这些抗原表位的鉴定为开发IBD表位疫苗奠定了基础.     

Diarrhoea in pigs induced by rotavirus.

Electron microscope examination of the faeces of scouring pigs revealed virus particles which were morphologically indistinguishable from rotavirus (reo-like), a virus associated with diarrhoea in neonatal pigs (Lecce, King & Mock, 1976). This is the first record of the virus in the Republic of South Africa.     

Characterization of feline CD56 molecule expressed on insect cells by the baculovirus expression system.

Recently we cloned 140 kDa form of feline CD56 cDNA. In this study, we expressed the feline CD56 molecule by the baculovirus expression system. We found that the molecule was expressed on the cell surface when examined by the indirect immunofluorescence assay using an anti-human CD56 monoclonal antibody. Immunoblotting analysis revealed that the molecular weight of the major expressed product was 140 kDa. Interestingly we found that the insect cells expressing the feline CD56 molecule aggregated, indicating that the expressed molecule mediates homophilic adhesion.     

Ergovaline does not alter the severity of ryegrass staggers induced by lolitrem B

AIM: To investigate a possible interaction between lolitrem B and ergovaline by comparing the incidence and severity of ryegrass staggers in sheep grazing ryegrass (Lolium perenne) containing lolitrem B or ryegrass containing both lolitrem B and ergovaline.

METHODS: Ninety lambs, aged approximately 6 months, were grazed on plots of perennial ryegrass infected with either AR98 endophyte (containing lolitrem B), standard endophyte (containing lolitrem B and ergovaline) or no endophyte, for up to 42 days from 2 February 2010. Ten lambs were grazed on three replicate plots per cultivar. Herbage samples were collected for alkaloid analysis and lambs were scored for ryegrass staggers (scores from 0–5) weekly during the study. Any animal which was scored ≥4 was removed from the study.

RESULTS: Concentrations of lolitrem B did not differ between AR98 and standard endophyte-infected pastures during the study period (p=0.26), and ergovaline was present only in standard endophyte pastures. Ryegrass staggers was observed in sheep grazing both the AR98 and standard endophyte plots, with median scores increasing in the third week of the study. Prior to the end of the 42-day grazing period, 22 and 17 animals were removed from the standard endophyte and AR98 plots, respectively, because their staggers scores were ≥4. The cumulative probability of lambs having scores ≥4 did not differ between animals grazing the two pasture types (p=0.41).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: There was no evidence for ergovaline increasing the severity of ryegrass staggers induced by lolitrem B. In situations where the severity of ryegrass staggers appears to be greater than that predicted on the basis of concentrations of lolitrem B, the presence of other tremorgenic alkaloids should be investigated.     

Leukoencephalomalacia in a horse induced by fumonisin B1 isolated from Fusarium moniliforme

Each of two horses was dosed by stomach tube with culture material on maize of Fusarium moniliforme MRC 826. One horse developed severe hepatosis and mild oedema of the brain after 6 doses of 2.5 g of culture material/kg body mass/day in 7 days. The second horse, in a similar experiment but at a dosage rate of 1.25 g/kg/day, developed mild hepatosis and moderate oedema of the brain. In both animals the brain oedema was particularly noticeable in the medulla oblongata. The mycotoxin fumonisin B1 was extracted and purified from the culture material of F. moniliforme MRC, 826 which contained approximately 1 g/kg of this compound. A horse was injected intravenously 7 times from Day 0-Day 9 with 0.125 mg of fumonisin B1/kg body mass/day. Clinical signs of neurotoxicosis, which appeared on Day 8, included nervousness followed by apathy, a wide-based stance, trembling, ataxia, reluctance to move, paresis of the lower lip and tongue, and an inability to eat or drink. Euthanasia was performed on the horse on Day 10 while the animal was in a tetanic convulsion. The principal lesions were severe oedema of the brain and early, bilaterally symmetrical, focal necrosis in the medulla oblongata. This report provides experimental evidence that fumonisin B1, produced by F. moniliforme, causes equine leukoencephalomalacia.     

CD56 is expressed exclusively on CD3+ T lymphocytes in canine peripheral blood

CD56+ cells in canine blood leukocytes were characterized by flow-cytometric analysis of peripheral blood of 30 healthy adult beagle-dogs (15 males and 15 non-pregnant females). In 19 of the 30 dogs, anti human CD56 antibody, Leu-19, reacted with 8.8-21.7% of peripheral blood lymphocytes. All CD56+ cells simultaneously expressed CD3 molecules on their surface. Further phenotypic analysis revealed that 50.6+/-13.1% of the CD56+ cells showed CD4-CD8+ phenotype and 43.7+/-10.1% showed CD4+CD8- phenotype. Expression intensity of CD56 on the CD4-CD8+CD56+ cells was significantly higher than that on CD4+CD8-CD56+ cells (P<0.001). These findings indicate that CD56, which is a neural cell adhesion molecule, is uniquely expressed on subsets of T lymphocytes in canine peripheral blood.