A recombinant chimera composed of repeat region RR1 of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae adhesin with Pseudomonas exotoxin: in vivo evaluation of specific IgG response in mice and pigs

Using the binding and translocation domain of Pseudomonas exotoxin A [domain III deleted PE termed PE(ΔIII)] as a vehicle, this study characterized and evaluated a novel application of PE toxin in Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae adhesin used as an immunogen. PCR and sequence analysis revealed that 16 copies of AAKPV(E) in tandem repeat region 1 (RR1) of M. hyopneumoniae 97 kDa adhesion were successfully fused to the downstream of PE(ΔIII) to create a subunit vaccine, i.e. PE(ΔIII)-RR1. This chimeric protein, over-expressed in inclusion bodies of E. coli BL21(DE3)pLysS, was characterized by a monoclonal antibody (MAb) F2G5 prepared against RR1 of the 97 kDa adhesin and was readily purified. The data indicated that the epitope recognized by MAb F2G5 was located in the structure of PE(ΔIII)-RR1. Using ELISA and Western blot analyses, the specific IgG immune response against RR1 and whole adhesin in mice immunized with PE(ΔIII)-RR1 was found more marked than that in mice immunized with the M. hyopneumoniae whole cells. Similarly, PE(ΔIII)-RR1 also stimulated a remarkable IgG response against RR1 in pigs compared to that in pigs immunized with the conventional M. hyopneumoniae vaccine. The PE(ΔIII)-RR1 would be potentially useful for the future development of a M. hyopneumoniae adhesin vaccine.     

Efficacy of bivalent vaccines of porcine circovirus type 2 and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in specific pathogen-free pigs challenged with porcine circovirus type 2d

BackgroundPorcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (MHP) are economically significant pathogens in the pig industry. The use of combined vaccines against PCV2 and MHP is one of the most effective ways of protecting pigs from both diseases, and it has become a part of general management.ObjectivesThis study evaluated the efficacy of two new bivalent vaccines of PCV2 and MHP (Myco-X and Myco-XD) in SPF pigs. Myco-X and Myco-XD are a combined vaccine of MHP with PCV2b and PCV2d, respectively.MethodsSixteen pigs were divided into four groups: Myco-X-vaccinated challenged, Myco-XD-vaccinated challenged, unvaccinated challenged, and unvaccinated unchallenged. Two milliliters of Myco-X were administered intramuscularly, and 0.5 mL of Myco-XD was injected intradermally at 3 wk of age. The pigs were challenged with virulent PCV2d via the intramuscular and intranasal route 4 wk post-vaccination.ResultsAll vaccinated pigs showed effective reduction of the clinical signs, the PCV2d load in the blood and nasal swab samples, as well as lung and lymphoid tissue lesions in the challenge test. Compared to unvaccinated challenged animals, the vaccinated challenged animals showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) levels of anti-PCV2 IgG, PCV2d-specific interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and anti-MHP IgG.ConclusionsBased on clinical, microbiological, serological, and pathological assessments, this study confirmed that both combined vaccines could protect pigs against PCV2 infection caused by PCV2d. On the other hand, further research on the efficacy evaluation of these new vaccines against the MHP challenge and PCV2d/MHP co-challenge is needed.     

感染肺炎支原体姜曲海猪肺组织差异表达circRNAs的筛选与分析

为探明姜曲海猪感染猪肺炎支原体（Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae,Mhp）后肺组织环状RNA （circular RNA,circRNA）差异性表达谱及其在抗Mhp感染中的作用,试验以姜曲海猪为研究对象,分为感染组和对照组,人工感染Mhp 28 d后,解剖采集肺组织,采用高通量测序和生物信息学软件分析circRNA的表达情况。测序数据比对参考猪基因组序列,共鉴定到23 632个circRNAs,差异表达circRNAs为213个,其中97个上调,116个下调。随机选择4个差异表达circRNAs进行实时荧光定量PCR验证,检测结果与测序结果基本一致。差异表达circRNA来源基因可注释到包括抗原加工递呈、溶酶体、白细胞跨内皮迁移等免疫应答信号通路。circRNA-miRNA-mRNA靶标关系分析显示,筛选到海绵结合miRNA数量最多的3个差异表达circRNAs,分别为：circRNA-17284（21个）、circRNA-04848（19个）和circRNA-17270（19个）;预测到6个与免疫调控相关的靶向miRNAs,分别为：ssc-miR-4331、ssc-miR-370、ssc-miR-328、ssc-miR-30c-3p、ssc-miR-122和ssc-miR-125b。本研究测定了感染Mhp的猪肺组织circRNA表达谱,筛选到与免疫调控相关的差异表达circRNA,这有助于阐明姜曲海猪对Mhp的易感机制,为抗病育种研究提供了参考依据。     

Serum and mucosal antibody responses and protection in pigs vaccinated against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae with vaccines containing a denatured membrane antigen pool and adjuvant

Objective To investigate the protective efficacy of a pool of denatured membrane protein antigens of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (J strain) in the molecular size range 70 to 85 kDa (F3 antigen) in combination with adjuvants for pigs challenged with M hyopneumoniae .
Design A vaccine efficacy experiment with assessment of serum and respiratory tract antibody responses.
Procedure F3 antigens were emulsified with five different adjuvants. To groups of three pigs per vaccine, four vaccines were given by intramuscular injection, and two vaccines, including one of those given intramuscularly, were given by intraperitoneal injection.
Results Compared to six unvaccinated pigs, animals vaccinated with F3 antigen displayed significantly reduced pneumonia (54% reduction in mean lung score) following experimental challenge. Analysis of post-vaccination, pre-challenge IgG and IgA ELISA antibody absorbances in serum and respiratory tract washings revealed no correlation with lung score. Six weeks after challenge, pigs previously vaccinated intramuscularly mostly demonstrated greater IgG and IgA responses in respiratory tract washings, and greater IgG serum antibody responses, than those vaccinated by intraperitoneal injection.
Conclusion Pigs vaccinated with M hyopneumoniae antigens in the molecular size range of 70 to 85 kDa showed a significant reduction in lung lesions compared with unvaccinated control animals after experimental challenge. IgG and IgA antibody concentrations in serum and respiratory tract washings after vaccination do not provide a useful prognostic indicator of protection from enzootic pneumonia.     

猪肺炎支原体与猪支气管败血波氏杆菌在猪体液免疫和生长性能上的协同作用

试验选用10日龄成华×大约克杂交猪36头,随机分成四组(1、2、3、4),每组9头.其中1、2组用猪肺炎支原体全菌抗原免疫后再分别用猪肺炎支原体和猪支气管败血波氏杆菌进行攻毒,3、4组注射生理盐水作为对照,并与前两组同时分别用猪肺炎支原体和猪支气管败血波氏杆菌进行攻毒.采用间接ELISA、组织切片等方法对猪血清中的抗体水平、肺脏的病理变化及生长性能进行测定.试验表明:用猪肺炎支原体全菌抗原接种猪后,在血清中能检测到较高的抗体水平(25).猪肺炎支原体攻毒后2周,免疫猪和对照猪血清中猪肺炎支原体抗体的滴度分别为23.8与22.4(P＜0.05),且免疫猪的生长性能比对照猪好.在猪支气管败血波氏杆菌攻毒组,攻毒2周和4周后免疫猪血清中的猪支气管败血波氏杆菌抗体水平与对照猪相比分别提高了26.67%和30.00%(P＞0.05),6周后免疫猪和对照猪血清中的猪支气管败血波氏杆菌抗体分别为21.7和20.3(P＜0.05),且在攻毒后4～6周,免疫猪的生长性能有了显著的改善.组织切片显示,无论是用猪肺炎支原体攻毒还是用猪支气管败血波氏杆菌攻毒,免疫猪的肺脏病变程度都较对照猪轻.     

Blending of a conventional Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae vaccine with a positive marker: tracking of immunised pigs by peptide-specific antibodies raised to the marker component

Highly immunodominant marker antigens simply blended to existing veterinary vaccines may represent a smart approach for addressing the still open issue of vaccination compliance. This approach was evaluated by blending a widely deployed Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae vaccine with a peptide-KLH (Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin) conjugate as marker. Piglets were vaccinated twice with: (i) a combination of the M. hyopneumoniae-specific vaccine and the marker, (ii) M. hyopneumoniae-specific vaccine, (iii) marker alone or (iv) placebo dose only. All piglets which received the M. hyopneumoniae-specific vaccine/marker formulation or, as control, the marker blended with Montanide IMS1313 adjuvant responded to the respective immunisation from day 21 to 77 post vaccination as seropositive for the appropriate peptide and KLH. However, the responder rate to M. hyopneumoniae of piglets administered with M. hyopneumoniae-specific vaccine/marker was slightly reduced at day 35 and 49 post immunisation in comparison with piglets vaccinated with M. hyopneumoniae-specific vaccine alone. Accordingly, we conclude that this marker technology could be successfully applied to label a whole set of vaccines prevented that the blending process will be optimised.     

A field evaluation of two vaccines against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infection in pigs

Background

A field trial was carried out with two Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae vaccines in order to investigate the benefit of vaccination under field conditions in modern Danish pig production facilities with pigs being positive for M. hyopneumoniae. The M. hyopneumoniae infection of the herd was confirmed through blood samples that were positive for antibodies against M. hyopneumoniae combined with gross lesions of the lungs related to M. hyopneumoniae at slaughter and detection of M. hyopneumoniae by polymerace chain reaction in these lesions.

Results

A total of 2,256 pigs from two herds were randomly divided into three groups. Group 1 received 2 mL ThoroVAX^®VET, Group 2 received 1 mL Ingelvac^®MycoFLEX, and Group 3 was a non-vaccinated control group. The vaccination was performed by a person who was not involved in the rest of the trial and vaccination status thereby blinded to the evaluators.The prevalence of lung lesions related to M. hyopneumoniae were significantly lower for pigs vaccinated with ThoroVAX^®VET but not for pigs vaccinated with Ingelvac^®MycoFLEX^®, when compared to non-vaccinated pigs. There was no significant effect of vaccination on growth rate, antibiotic consumption or mortality.

Conclusion

This trial demonstrated that vaccination with Thoro^®VAX VET was effective in reducing the prevalence of lung lesion in pig units infected with M. hyopneumoniae.     

Experimental reproduction of porcine respiratory disease complex in pigs inoculated porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and followed by inoculation with porcine circovirus type 2

The aim of this study was to reproduce severe pneumonic lesions, similar to those during naturally-occurring porcine respiratory disease complex, in pigs dually inoculated with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae at 6 weeks of age, followed by inoculation with porcine circovirus type 2 at two weeks after. Time and sequence of infection with three pathogens mirror Asian field conditions. Microscopically, interstitial pneumonia and peribronchiolar lymphoid hyperplasia are considered the most characteristic lung lesions in infected pigs. The results of the present study demonstrate that inoculation of pigs with these three pathogens can lead to severe interstitial pneumonia with peribronchial or peribronchiolar lymphoid hyperplasia and fibrosis.     

广西陆川猪猪肺炎支原体P97基因R1区克隆及序列分析

本试验通过深入了解广西陆川猪猪肺炎支原体(Mhp)地方流行毒株的黏附因子P97基因R1区的序列特征、基本结构及遗传变异等特点,为广西地方品种陆川猪猪支原体肺炎(MPS)有效的综合防控措施提供理论依据,并为进一步研究广西陆川猪Mhp地方流行毒株特性打下坚实的基础。参考Mhp基因组序列设计扩增P97基因R1区的1对引物,以 2011年-2014年广西陆川猪MPS阳性病料为研究对象,提取基因组DNA,PCR扩增P97基因R1区,对PCR产物进行测序,将广西陆川猪Mhp不同地方流行毒株的P97基因R1区序列的碱基组成和推导的氨基酸序列进行比对。DNAStar软件分析结果表明,所获得的15株广西陆川猪Mhp毒株(GXLC-1、GXLC-2、GXLC-3、GXLC-4、GXLC-5、GXLC-6、GXLC-7、GXLC-8、GXLC-9、GXLC-10、GXLC-11、GXLC-12、GXLC-13、GXLC-14、GXLC-15)和3株广西其他品种猪Mhp毒株(GX227、GX595、GX674)的P97基因R1区的多处碱基发生变异。通过推导氨基酸序列统计P97 R1区五氨基酸(AAKPV/E)重复数为9~18,平均值为12,TN重复数为1~4,结果发现广西陆川猪Mhp流行毒株变异使其毒力和黏附能力增强,再加上陆川猪呼吸道短小狭窄的特殊结构,更易导致广西陆川猪MPS的发生。     

Cloning and Sequence Analysis of P97 Gene R1 Region of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in Guangxi Luchuan Pig

Through in-depth understanding of sequence characteristics, structure and genetic variation of adhesion factor P97 gene R1 region of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mhp) epidemic strains in Guangxi Luchuan pig, the assay was aimed to provide theoretical basis for mycoplasmal pneumonia of swine (MPS) integrated effective prevention and control measures of Guangxi local variety Luchuan pig, and lay a solid foundation for further study the characteristics of Mhp epidemic strains in Guangxi Luchuan pig.A pair of primers was designed to amplify P97 gene R1 region according to Mhp genome sequence, the MPS positive disease materials of Guangxi Luchuan pig from 2011 to 2014 as the object of study, after genomic DNA extraction and PCR amplification of P97 gene R1 region, the PCR products were sequenced.The base composition and deduced amino acid sequence of P97 gene R1 region of Mhp epidemic strains of Guangxi Luchuan pig were compared.The analysis of DNAStar showed that there were multiple base mutations in P97 gene R1 region of 15 strains of Guangxi Luchuan pig Mhp strains (GXLC-1, GXLC-2, GXLC-3, GXLC-4, GXLC-5, GXLC-6, GXLC-7, GXLC-8, GXLC-9, GXLC-10, GXLC-11, GXLC-12, GXLC-13, GXLC-14 and GXLC-15) and 3 strains of Guangxi other breeds of pigs Mhp strains (GX227, GX595 and GX674).The statistical repeat number of five amino acid (AAKPV/E) of P97 R1 region were 9 to 18, the average value was 12, TN repeats were 1 to 4.We found that Guangxi Luchuan pig Mhp strains mutation made its virulence and adhesion ability enhancement, and respiratory of Luchuan pig with the special structure of short and narrow, which could more easily lead to the occurrence of Guangxi Luchuan pig MPS.     

猪肺炎支原体p97 R1区基因和大肠杆菌LTB基因的重组和表达

本研究从猪肺炎支原体的主要抗原蛋白及其免疫特点出发,将猪肺炎支原体纤毛粘附决定区R1区基因和具有黏膜免疫佐剂作用的大肠杆菌不耐热肠毒素B亚单位(the B subunit of heat-labile enterotoxin LTB)基因重组表达,并且单独表达了R1区基因。将扩增的目的片段插入到表达载体pET-28a(+)中,分别构建了两个原核表达质粒pET28a(+)-rLTBR1和pET28a(+)-rR1,诱导表达了两个融合蛋白rLTBR1和rR1。对表达的目的蛋白进行了SDS-PAGE和Western blot检测,结果表明,表达的蛋白为特异的蛋白。本试验为进一步的研究rLTBR1融合蛋白在黏膜免疫方面的作用打下了基础。     

犊牛支原体肺炎继发牛A型多杀性巴氏杆菌感染的诊治

某奶牛场犊牛相继发生肺炎和关节炎,为确诊该牛场犊牛群发病的原因并提出防控方案,本试验剖检新生犊牛并采集病料,分别开展牛支原体及其他病原菌的分离培养、PCR鉴定及药敏分析;进行牛病毒性腹泻病毒、牛口蹄疫病毒和牛传染性鼻气管炎病毒PCR检测;制作犊牛肺脏组织病理切片并进行观察和评估。从犊牛肺脏组织分离到牛支原体和牛A型多杀性巴氏杆菌;牛病毒性腹泻病毒、牛口蹄疫病毒和牛传染性鼻气管炎病毒检测均为阴性;肺脏组织病理切片可见肺泡结构破坏、出血及大量炎性细胞浸润;药敏试验结果显示,牛支原体和牛A型多杀性巴氏杆菌分别对泰乐菌素和头孢唑啉敏感,但对青霉素、庆大霉素、林可霉素和氨苄西林均呈现耐药。该犊牛群确诊为牛支原体肺炎继发牛A型多杀性巴氏杆菌感染,采用泰乐菌素联合头孢唑啉肌肉注射,配合对症治疗和规范管理,有效控制了该场犊牛疾病。     

Evaluation of serovar-independent ELISA antigens of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae in pigs, following experimental challenge with A. pleuropneumoniae, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and Pasteurella multocida

Objective To compare the sensitivity and specificity of six serological enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) based on serovar‐independent antigens of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (App) and investigate cross‐reactivity in disease‐free pigs challenged with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and Pasteurella multocida. Design Five experimental pig trials using direct challenge with App serovars 1, 7 or 15 or direct challenge with M. hyopneumoniae and/or various dose rates of P. multocida. Procedure A 39‐kDa outer membrane protein antigen and five recombinant antigens from the apxIVA gene of App were evaluated. The latter were derived from the ApxIVA N‐terminus (ApxIVA‐N, ApxIVA‐NP, ApxIVA‐NPS) or C‐terminus (ApxIVA‐C, ApxIVA‐CP). Pigs were sampled after challenge and clinical and necropsy findings evaluated. Results The 39‐kDa ELISA had high sensitivity but lacked specificity, with significantly increased cross‐reactivity following P. multocida challenge. ELISAs based on ApxIVA N‐terminus antigens were significantly more sensitive than C‐terminus antigens for the detection of App‐induced disease. Although ApxIVA‐N and ApxIVA‐NP ELISAs had increased reactivity following P. multocida challenge, they retained high specificity for App‐induced disease (90–93%). Affinity purified ApxIVA‐NP antigen had marginally better specificity than ApxIVA‐N, without reduced sensitivity. Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae did not affect serological cross‐reactivity. In disease‐free pigs, the specificity of the ApxIVA‐NPS ELISA may be adversely affected by nasal carriage of apparently low‐virulence App strains. Conclusions ApxIVA‐N‐based ELISAs can be used for evaluating App status in commercial herds, but some appear limited by high carriage rates of low‐virulence App. The 39‐kDa antigen is only of merit in exclusion of App disease by negative serology.     

Interaction of bovine immunoglobulin gamma 2 (IgG2) with staphylococcal protein A: evidence for IgG2a and IgG2b sub-subclasses in the bovine

The reactivity of bovine IgG with protein A is confusing with respect to which of the bovine IgG class and subclasses are reactive. We have, therefore, re-examined the interaction of bovine immunoglobulins with protein A. The results presented in this paper indicated that at pH 8.0 protein A binds only immunoglobulin of the IgG2 subclass. The bound IgG2 can be readily recovered from an immobilized protein A column at pH 5.0. Furthermore, the antigenic IgG2 eluted demonstrated two charged species which could readily be separated by ion-exchange chromatography. These results indicate that IgG2 in the bovine exists in two sub-subclasses, IgG2a and IgG2b. The two sub-subclasses of IgG2 could be rapidly isolated with a good yield in two-steps namely protein A affinity chromatography followed by ion exchange chromatography.     

Chronic pneumonia in calves after experimental infection with Mycoplasma bovis strain 1067: Characterization of lung pathology,persistence of variable surface protein antigens and local immune response

Background

Mycoplasma bovis is associated with pneumonia in calves characterized by the development of chronic caseonecrotic lesions with the agent persisting within the lesion. The purposes of this study were to characterize the morphology of lung lesions, examine the presence of M. bovis variable surface protein (Vsp) antigens and study the local immune responses in calves after infection with M. bovis strain 1067.

Methods

Lung tissue samples from eight calves euthanased three weeks after experimental infection with M. bovis were examined by bacteriology and pathology. Lung lesions were evaluated by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for wide spectrum cytokeratin and for M. bovis Vsp antigens and pMB67 antigen. IHC identification and quantitative evaluation of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T lymphocytes and immunoglobulin (IgG1, IgG2, IgM, IgA)-containing plasma cells was performed. Additionally, expression of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC class II) was studied by IHC.

Results

Suppurative pneumonic lesions were found in all calves. In two calves with caseonecrotic pneumonia, necrotic foci were surrounded by epithelial cells resembling bronchial or bronchiolar epithelium. In all calves, M. bovis Vsp antigens were constantly present in the cytoplasm of macrophages and were also present extracellularly at the periphery of necrotic foci. There was a considerable increase in numbers of IgG1- and IgG2-positive plasma cells among which IgG1-containing plasma cells clearly predominated. Statistical evaluation of the numbers of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells, however, did not reveal statistically significant differences between inoculated and control calves. In M. bovis infected calves, hyperplasia of bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) was characterized by strong MHC class II expression of lymphoid cells, but only few of the macrophages demarcating the caseonecrotic foci were positive for MHC class II.

Conclusions

The results from this study show that infection of calves with M. bovis results in various lung lesions including caseonecrotic pneumonia originating from bronchioli and bronchi. There is long-term persistence of M. bovis as demonstrated by bacteriology and immunohistochemistry for M. bovis antigens, i.e. Vsp antigens and pMB67. The persistence of the pathogen and its ability to evade the specific immune response may in part result from local downregulation of antigen presenting mechanisms and an ineffective humoral immune response with prevalence of IgG1 antibodies that, compared to IgG2 antibodies, are poor opsonins.     

Differential gene expression of Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEPR‐LEP with high or low number of embryos in pigs during implantation

The objective of this study was to ascertain whether mRNA and protein expressions of implantation‐related genes (erythropoietin‐producing hepatocellular receptor–ligand A1, Eph‐ephrin A1 and leptin receptor–leptin, LEPR‐LEP) differed between pigs with high and low number of embryos, and whether these differences in gene expression might affect embryo implantation. Experimental pig groups (n = 24) for high and low number of embryos were prepared by altering the number of eggs ovulated in pre‐pubertal gilts treated with 1.5 × (High) or 1.0 × (Low) PG600 ([400 IU PMSG + 200 IU hCG]/dose, AKZO‐NOBEL). Gilts expressing oestrus were artificially inseminated twice and maintained in breeding and gestation until the reproductive tract was collected on day 22 of pregnancy. At slaughter, the reproductive tracts from each pregnant gilt from each treatment were immediately processed to collect samples for RNA and protein analysis. Within each gilt, three conceptus points were sampled, one from each horn and then a random conceptus within the tract. At each conceptus point, endometrial attachment site, chorion–allantois and embryo were collected and immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen. Number of corpus luteum (CL) (35.4 vs. 12.6) and total embryo number (18.8 vs. 10.2) were greater in the high‐embryo compared to the low‐embryo group, respectively (p < .05). Real‐time qPCR results showed that Eph‐ephrin A1 mRNA expression was less in the high‐embryo (p < .05) compared to the low‐embryo group. In addition, Western blotting analysis indicated that Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEP protein expression at endometrial attachment site in high‐embryo was less (p < .05) compared to low‐embryo group. It was also noted that mRNA expression of Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEPR‐LEP was greater in pregnant than non‐pregnant gilts (p < .05). Moreover, mRNA expression of Eph‐ephrin A1 (p < .05) and LEPR‐LEP was greatest at endometrial attachment site among all three tissues. There was a positive correlation between expressions of Eph‐ephrin A1, LEPR‐LEP and embryo length with the correlation coefficient 0.31–0.59. For Eph‐ephrin A1, the highest correlation coefficient appeared between Eph A1 expression and normal embryo number, between ephrin A1 expression and embryo length. For LEPR‐LEP, the highest correlation coefficient appeared between LEPR‐LEP expression and ovary weight (0.79 for both, p < .05), followed by embryo length and weight. The results of this study suggest that low expression of Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEPR‐LEP is somehow related to increased embryo number during implantation and that endometrial attachment site might be the main target tissue of these gene products. Yet, the increased expression of Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEPR‐LEP appeared associated with increased embryo growth (length and weight) and ovary weight, Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEPR‐LEP might play roles in the regulation of embryo implantation in pigs.     

Clarithromycin suppresses induction of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 and improves pathological changes in the lungs and heart of mice infected with influenza A virus

The influenza A virus (IAV)–cytokine–trypsin/matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) cycle is one of the important mechanisms of multiple organ failure in severe influenza. Clarithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic, has immune modulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. We analyzed the effects of clarithromycin on the induction of chemokines, cytokines, MMP-9, trypsin, vascular hyper-permeability and inflammatory aggravation in mice with IAV infection. IAV/Puerto Rico/8/34(H1N1) infection increased the levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and cytokines in serum, and MMP-9 and trypsin in serum and/or the lungs and heart. Clarithromycin significantly suppressed the induction of serum MCP-1 and MMP-9 and vascular hyperpermeability in these organs in the early phase of infection, but did not suppress the induction of trypsin, IL-6 or IFN-γ. Histopathological examination showed that clarithromycin tended to reduce inflammatory cell accumulation in the lungs and heart. These results suggest that clarithromycin suppresses infection-related inflammation and reduces vascular hyperpermeability by suppressing the induction of MCP-1 and MMP-9.     

Diagnostic utility of measuring serum amyloid A with a latex agglutination turbidimetric immunoassay in bovine mastitis: Comparison with haptoglobin and alpha 1 acid glycoprotein

This study established the precision and accuracy of a modified latex agglutination turbidimetric immunoassay (LATIA) reagent, and evaluated the ability of the measurement of serum amyloid A (SAA) compared to haptoglobin and α1-acid glycoprotein, which are acute phase proteins (APPs), for diagnosis of clinical mastitis. Concentrations of APPs in cows with mastitis were significantly higher than those in healthy cow. Only the plasma SAA concentration in cows with clinical mastitis (44.90 mg/l; n=15) was significantly higher than that in those with subclinical mastitis (10.70 mg/l; n=16), enabling their diagnosis in contrast to other APPs. Thus, the SAA assay using a LATIA reagent is useful in assessing mastitis severity due to its higher sensitivity and specificity than other APP assays.