Structural proteins of porcine enteroviruses

Analysis of the structural proteins of two strains (T80 and PE1) of cytopathogenic type 1 and two strains (V13 and T5) of cytopathogenic type II porcine enteroviruses by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, revealed polypeptide patterns which were generally similar to those described for other picornaviruses. However, one polypeptide (P5), of molecular weight 15 000 to 17 000, which was found in each strain of porcine enterovirus, has not been reported for other enteroviruses. A polypeptide (P4), of molecular weight 22 000, demonstrated in the type I strains, was lacking in the type II strains, and the molecular weight of the P2 polypeptide was lower in the type II strains than in the type I porcine enteroviruses.     

Immunohistochemical characterization of neurons in the porcine ciliary ganglion

The present study was aimed at disclosing the chemical coding of nerve structures in the porcine ciliary ganglion (CG) using immunohistochemical methods. The substances under investigation included markers of "classical" neurotransmitters, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DbetaH) as well as neuropeptides, somatostatin (SOM), galanin (GAL), substance P (SP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY). Immunoreactivity to ChAT and VAChT was found virtually in all the neuronal somata and in numerous intraganglionic, varicose nerve fibres which often formed basket-like formations around the nerve cell bodies. Many CG neurons contained immunoreactivity for SOM (46%) or GAL (29%). Interestingly, a small number (approx. 1%) of the cholinergic somata stained for TH but not for DbetaH; nevertheless, some extra- and intraganglionic nerve fibres displayed immunoreactivity for DbetaH or TH. The CG perikarya stained neither for vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) nor for neuropeptide Y (NPY), but some NPY- or VIP-positive nerve terminals were observed within nerve bundles distributed outside the ganglion. SP- and CGRP-immunoreactivity was found in some intraganglionic nerve fibres only. The present study revealed that the porcine CG consists of cholinergic neurons many of which contain SOM and GAL. Thus, it can be assumed that in the pig, these neuropeptides are involved, complementary to acetylocholine, in the parasympathetic postganglionic nerve pathway to structures of the eye including the ciliary and iris sphincter muscles.     

Immunohistochemical study of the otic ganglion in the pig

The presence of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT), neuropeptide Y (NPY), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), somatostatin (SOM), galanin (GAL), substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) was studied in neurons and nerve fibers of the porcine otic ganglion. ChAT-positive neurons were very numerous while VAChT-positive nerve cells were moderate in number. The number of neurons containing NPY and VIP was lower and those containing SOM, GAL, SP or CGRP were observed as scarce, or single nerve cells. The above mentioned substances (except SOM) were present in nerve fibers of the ganglion. ChAT- and VAChT-positive nerve fibers were numerous, while the number of nerve terminals containing NPY, VIP and SP was lower. GAL- and CGRP-positive nerve fibers were scarce.     

猪细小病毒NS基因原核表达与多克隆抗体制备

旨在制备抗猪细小病毒(PPV)非结构蛋白共有氨基酸的NS多肽多克隆抗体。根据GenBank(MK993540)公布的PPV基因组序列,克隆其非结构蛋白NS1、NS2共有基因序列(NS基因),并进行生物信息学分析。进而将NS基因克隆至原核表达载体pET-32a,构建重组质粒pET-32a-NS,转化至大肠埃希菌Rosetta(DE3)中进行诱导表达,利用镍柱亲和层析技术纯化表达的重组多肽,用重组多肽免疫Balb/c小鼠制备多克隆抗体。结果显示,PPV杨凌株NS基因长258bp,编码86个氨基酸的多肽,是具有亲水性的非跨膜NS多肽,具有大量的B细胞线性表位。NS多肽在37℃、0.8mol/L IPTG条件下,诱导6h有大量的可溶性表达。免疫印迹试验结果显示,该多肽具有较好的抗原性。用纯化NS多肽免疫小鼠后获得鼠抗NS多肽的血清抗体效价为1∶12800。用制备的NS多克隆抗体检测纯化的NS重组多肽及真核表达的NS1蛋白,均能检测出相应特异性条带,为进一步研究NS蛋白在PPV致病过程中的作用奠定了基础。     

Identification of the antigenic components of paramyxovirus-3, paramyxovirus-6 and Newcastle disease virus in turkeys

The aim of this study was to use the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the Western immunoblotting as possible tools to differentiate infections in turkeys by different paramyxoviruses. Pooled hyperimmune sera of turkeys infected with either paramyxovirus-3 (PMV-3), paramyxovirus-6 (PMV-6), or Newcastle disease virus (NDV) were assayed for antibodies specific to the three viruses by the ELISA and Western immunoblotting. ELISA results showed cross reactions of turkey antibodies between PMV-3 and PMV-6 antigens, while turkey antibodies to NDV did not cross-react with any of the other paramyxoviruses. The immunoblots of sera from birds infected with PMV-3 (Minnesota turkeys and Iowa chickens) reacted to low molecular weight polypeptides of PMV-3 of 29, 32, and 34 kDa, and to a high molecular weight band of 200 kDa. The same Minnesota turkey sera had a cross reaction to the 200 kDa polypeptide of PMV-6, while the Iowa chicken sera did not. Both sera had no apparent reaction to NDV proteins. Western immunoblotting showed that the turkey PMV-3 sera had a specific reaction to a 220 kDa polypeptide present in PMV-3, but not in PMV-6, while the turkey PMV-6 sera had a specific reaction to a 130 kDa polypeptide present in PMV-6, but not in PMV-3. Immunoblots of pooled sera from turkeys infected with PMV-6 (Minnesota source) reacted to the 200 kDa protein present in both PMV-3 and PMV-6; however, no reaction occurred between this sera and NDV proteins.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Acquired immunity in schistosomiasis with purified Fasciola hepatica cross-reactive antigens

We have previously demonstrated that a Fasciola hepatica-derived adult worm antigen, which is cross-reactive with Schistosoma mansoni and designated FhSmIII(M), induces resistance to challenge infection with S. mansoni in mice. The current review concerns the methods developed to isolate and partially characterize a major component of FhSmIII(M), a 12-kDa polypeptide, as well as immunity studies involving this antigen. Utilizing conventional gel filtration, followed by diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) Sephadex A-120 and monitoring the fractions by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot techniques (EITB), we were able to isolate the 12-kDa antigenic polypeptide to homogeneity. Conventional gel filtration chromatography was followed by high-pressure, liquid anion, exchange chromatography, when highly purified material was needed, although the effective yields diminished drastically with the latter. Mice, rabbits and calves with a primary infection of F. hepatica developed antibodies (detectable in enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to the F. hepatica 12-kDa polypeptide within 2 weeks of infection. Mice with a primary infection of S. mansoni developed significant, but low, levels of anti-12-kDa antibodies by 7 weeks post-infection. Immunization of mice with microgram amounts of this 12-kDa polypeptide in Freunds' adjuvant resulted in the development of up to 77% less S. mansoni worms than the controls. Treatment with either endoglycosidase H, neuraminidase or dithiothreitol had no effect on the protein's mobility on sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-PAGE or in its recognition by antibodies, suggesting the absence of carbohydrate moieties or disulphide bonds in relation to its antigenic determinants. Degradation by proteinase K further confirmed its polypeptide nature and points to recombinant DNA technology for the large-scale manufacture of this potential vaccine. Further use of this antigen in immunity studies should greatly contribute to the clarification of the mechanisms involved in cross-resistance against schistosomiasis.     

The small intestine of the adult New Hampshire chicken: an immunohistochemical study

The presence and distribution of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide or gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), gastric-releasing peptide (GRP) and glucagon immunoreactivity were studied in the small intestine of the New Hampshire chicken using immunohistochemistry. This is the first report of the presence of GIP-immunoreactive (ir) cells in avian small intestine. GIP, GRP and glucagon immunoreactivity was localized in the epithelium of the villi and crypts of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum. In particular, both in the duodenum and in the jejunum immunoreactive endocrine cells to GIP, GRP and glucagon were observed. In the ileum, we noticed GIP-ir and glucagon-ir cells. GRP-ir was found in nerve fibres of all three segments of the small intestine. The distribution of these bioactive agents in the intestinal tract of the chicken suggests that GIP and glucagon may play a role in the enteropancreatic axis in which intestinal peptides modulate pancreas secretion.     

Analysis of the chemical coding of neurons in the intermediate thoracic ganglion of the pig

The pig has been widely used as a model in cardiovascular research. A unique feature of the porcine extrinsic sympathetic cardiac nerves is that they arise from intermediate ganglia in the thoracic cavity. The localization and pattern of distribution of nerve cell bodies and fibers containing tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine B-hydroxylase (DBH), neuropeptide Y (NPY), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), somatostatin (SOM), galanin (GAL), methionine-enkephalin (MET) as well as calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP) and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) was studied with immunohistochemistry. Almost all the neurons showed immunoreactivity to TH. Immunoreactivity to NPY, VIP, SOM, GAL, MET and PACAP was displayed by nerve cell bodies while nerve fibers exhibited immunoreactivity to all the neuropeptides studied. Therefore, it seems that the chemical coding of neurons and especially nerve fibers in the porcine intermediate ganglion share general similarities (with certain neurochemical variability), with porcine prevertebral ganglia (e.g., celiacomesenteric and caudal mesenteric ganglia).     

Analysis of the N-terminal polypeptide of the capsid precursor protein and the ORF3 product of feline calicivirus.

The N-terminal unique polypeptide region of the capsid precursor protein of feline calicivirus (FCV) and the protein encoded by ORF3 of FCV were expressed as fusion proteins with glutathione S-transferase to analyze the expressed products in FCV-infected cells. Immunoblot analysis using a serum from a cat experimentally infected with FCV indicated relatively high immunogenicity of the N-terminal polypeptide in FCV-infected cats, as compared with the ORF3 protein. Specific antisera were prepared by immunization to mice with the fused proteins and used in immunoblot analysis. A 14 kD product corresponding to the N-terminal polypeptide and a 10 kD polypeptide of the ORF3 product were identified in the FCV-infected cells but not detected in the purified particles. No neutralization activity against FCV was detected in these antisera. The proteins identified as polypeptides of 14 kD and 10 kD in this study may have functions as non-structural proteins.     

Localization of amylin‐like immunoreactivity in the striped velvet gecko pancreas

Immunohistochemical techniques were employed to investigate the distribution of amylin‐like immunoreactive cells in the pancreas of gecko Homopholis fasciata. Four types of endocrine cells were distinguished: insulin immunoreactive (B cells), pancreatic polypeptide immunoreactive (PP cells), glucagon and pancreatic polypeptide immunoreactive (A/PP cells) and somatostatin immunoreactive cells (D cells). Pancreatic islets contained B, A/PP and D cells, whereas extrainsular regions contained B, D and PP cells. In the pancreatic islets, amylin‐like immunoreactive cells corresponded to B cells, but not to A/PP or D cells. In the extrainsular regions, amylin‐like immunoreactive cells corresponded to either B or PP cells. Amylin secreted from intrainsular B cells may regulate pancreatic hormone secretion in an autocrine and/or a paracrine fashion. On the other hand, amylin secreted from extrainsular PP and B cells, and/or intrainsular B cells may participate in the modulation of calcium homoeostasis in an endocrine fashion.     

Immunohistochemical study on the distribution of endocrine cells in the gastrointestinal tract of the babirusa, Babyrousa babyrussa (Suidae)

The distribution and relative frequency of endocrine cells in the gastrointestinal tract of the babirusa were studied immunohistochemically using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method. Thirteen types of gut endocrine cells were detected; they were immunoreactive for chromogranin, serotonin, somatostatin, gastrin, bovine pancreatic polypeptide (BPP), glucagon, secretin, cholecystokinin (CCK), methionine-enkephalin-Arg6-Gly7-Leu8 (MENK8), motilin, gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) and peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY). Cells that were immunoreactive for chromogranin, serotonin, somatostatin and glucagon were found in all portions of the gastrointestinal tract. MENK8-immunoreactive cells were observed in the stomach and small intestine. Gastrin-immunoreactive cells were detected in the pyloric region and duodenum. PYY-immunoreactive cells were found in the small and large intestine. Cells immunoreactive for motilin, CCK, GIP, and secretin were observed in the proximal small intestine and those immunoreactive for neurotensin were found only in the ileum. Although the distribution pattern of endocrine cells in the gastrointestinal tract of babirusa was similar to those reported for pig, restricted distribution of several endocrine cells, gastrin, BPP, MENK8, motilin, CCK, GIP, secretin and neurotensin and wider distribution of glucagon and PYY were observed in the babirusa. The unexpected presence of MENK8 in all glandular regions of the stomach and PYY in the small intestine was also noted. The distribution of gut endocrine cells might be related to the regulatory characteristics of the babirusa digestive tract.     

Histologic and immunocytochemical study of endocrine cells in the gastrointestinal tract of the cow and calf

The regional distribution and relative frequency of argyrophil cells, and of cells immunoreactive for 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), substance P (SP), somatostatin, glicentin, glucagon, bovine pancreatic polypeptide (BPP), gastrin, leucine-enkephalin, gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), cholecystokinin, secretin, motilin, and neurotensin were studied in 9 segments from the gastrointestinal tract of cows (greater than 1 year old) and calves (less than 3 months old). Argyrophil cells, 5-HT-immunoreactive cells, and somatostatin-immunoreactive cells were distributed throughout the gastrointestinal tract, whereas the other immunoreactive cells were more restricted in distribution. Most endocrine cells were more numerous in the calf than in the cow. This feature was most conspicuous in the abomasum. In the abomasum, argyrophil cells in the cow and calf and 5-HT-immunoreactive cells in the calf were found predominantly in the fundic region, whereas somatostatin-immunoreactive cells and gastrin-immunoreactive cells in the cow and calf and 5-HT-immunoreactive cells in the cow were most numerous in the pyloric region. Substance P-, glucagon-, BPP-, and leucine-enkephalin-immunoreactive cells were rarely detected. In the small intestine, argyrophil cells, 5-HT-, SP-, somatostatin-, gastrin-, GIP-, cholecystokinin-, secretin-, and motilin-immunoreactive cells were most numerous in the duodenum. Neurotensin-, glicentin-, glucagon-, and BPP-immunoreactive cells were detected with the highest frequency in the ileum. In the large intestine, argyrophil cells and 5-HT-, glicentin-, BPP-, somatostatin-, glucagon-, and SP-immunoreactive cells occurred with the highest frequency in the rectum.     

瘦素在动物繁殖上的研究进展

瘦素（ｌｅｐｔｉｎ）是１４６个氨基酸组成的分子量为１４６ｋＤａ的多肽,由脂肪细胞所分泌。瘦素作为内分泌因子,通过阿片促黑激素皮质素原（ＰＯＭＣ）和神经多肽Ｙ（ＮＰＹ）影响丘脑下部（ＧｎＲＨ）释放,从而影响着生殖激素的产生和释放,动物初情期的发动伴随着瘦素水平的不断提高,成年动物繁殖功能的维持也有赖于瘦素发挥作用。瘦素对性腺和垂体的作用机理尚不明确。     

提高口蹄疫病毒衣壳多肽VP_1免疫原性的实验研究

以口蹄疫病毒(FMDV)衣壳多肽VP制成3种抗原制剂,即VP_1与鲎血蓝蛋白(TTH)连接而成的复合抗原(TTH—VP_1);VP_1与VP_2、VP_3,VP_4连接而成的VP_(1.2.3.4)复合物以及VP_1自身交联成的共聚体PolyVP_1。将3种抗原制剂分别免疫小鼠,测定其激发的抗病毒粒子的中和抗体反应,并与未交联VP_1所激发的免疫反应相比较。结果表明,PolyVP_1激发的抗体中和指数明显高于单纯VP_1激发的抗体中和指数(P<0.01),而TTH—VP_1和VP_(1.2.3.4)激发的抗体中和指数与单纯VP_1相比,无显著差异(P>0.05)。本实验结果提示,小分子多肽兔疫原的自身交联能提高其免疫原性。     

牛支原体不同分离株全菌蛋白免疫印迹分析

为比较牛支原体（Mycoplasma bovis,M.bovis）不同分离株间全菌蛋白组成的差异,找到其具有免疫原性的蛋白片段,试验采用裂解液法提取分离自全国不同地区6株M.bovis分离株（W70株、1738株、Q3株、Q1株、JX02株、677株）的全菌蛋白,并利用自制抗血清对所获蛋白进行SDS-PAGE和免疫印迹分析。结果显示,6株分离株全菌蛋白条带数量、清晰度存在差异,其中W70株、1738株、Q3株和Q1株的蛋白条带数量及清晰度均优于JX02株和677株,蛋白质分子质量范围在23.2～130.8 ku之间;6株分离株均显现2条大小为55和43 ku的免疫杂交条带。综上所述,M.bovis不同分离株全菌蛋白组成存在差异,55和43 ku是其主要的免疫原性蛋白之一,该试验结果为M.bovis病血清学诊断、分子诊断技术及疫苗的研制提供理论依据。     

Cellular immune response of lymph nodes from dogs following the intradermal injection of a recombinant antigen corresponding to a 66 kDa protein of Echinococcus granulosus

A recombinant polypeptide (referred to as EgA31), which represents a 66kDa protein, was prepared from an Echinococcus granulosus cDNA library. In order to assess its potential to induce cellular immune responses, dog popliteal and prescapular lymph nodes were sensitized with this recombinant polypeptide. Subpopulations of lymphocytes were then analyzed by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry on lymph node sections. Five days after the sensitization, the paracortical areas of the lymph nodes appeared hypertrophic, the number of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ and CD5+ cells increased, the number of B-cells began to augment and some secondary follicles occurred, and a number of CD4+ cells appeared in germinal centers. Many large secondary follicles and a significantly augmented number of CD5+ cells in cords of medullae were observed 10 days after the sensitization. These active cellular responses strengthen the interest for further studies on the development of a vaccine with this recombinant polypeptide.     

禽胰多肽研究进展

禽胰多肽(avian pancreatic polypeptide,APP)是由36个氨基酸残基组成,由胰脏胰多肽细胞分泌的一种多肽。研究表明,APP具有促进畜禽采食,加快生长发育,调节胃肠道运动,影响内分泌活动和保护细胞膜的完整性等多种生理作用。在近30年的研究工作中,人们对胰多肽的生理功能和临床应用有了一定的了解,但是对其生理活性及作用机制的研究尚处于探索阶段,在许多方面还有待进一步研究揭示。     

Evaluation of cercarial antigen for the serodiagnosis of fasciolosis in experimentally and naturally infected sheep

The value of cercarial antigen for diagnosis of experimental and natural sheep fasciolosis was studied by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and enzyme linked immunotransfer blot (EITB). In ELISA, the antibody levels of experimentally infected sheep with Fasciola gigantica appeared at 2 weeks post infection (PI), gradually increased till 7 weeks PI and nearly remained at the same level from 7 to 13 weeks PI (the end of experiment). Also, the sensitivity and specificity of cercarial antigen for diagnosis of naturally sheep fasciolosis were 100 and 90%, respectively.In EITB, in the sheep experimentally infected with F. gigantica, the band of 32.5kDa molecular weight polypeptide appeared at 2 weeks PI and continued till the end of experiment. Also, the cercarial antigen recognized 32.5kDa molecular weight band with all sera from naturally infected sheep with fasciolosis (n = 25). This band did not cross-react when tested with sera from infected sheep with Cysticercus tenuicollus (n = 20). This study suggests that, the 32.5kDa molecular weight polypeptide could be used as sensitive and specific epitope for the serodiagnosis of sheep fasciolosis.     

犬贾第虫病毒(长春株)全基因组序列分析

根据已报道的人源蓝氏贾第虫病毒序列设计了互相重叠的6对特异性引物，以犬贾第虫（长春株）纯培养滋养体总核酸为模板进行RT—PCR。PCR产物连接到pMD18-T载体进行测序，通过BLAST在GenBank进行同源性搜索，并用DNAMAN分子生物学软件进行分析。结果测得我国犬贾第虫病毒（长春株）基因组全长为6276bp（DQ238861），编码1个有887个氨基酸残基的衣壳蛋白和1056个氨基酸残基的融合蛋白，这2个阅读框被-1核糖体移码框分开，重叠处有220nt。基因组中G＋C占49．62％。其序列与国外报道的人源蓝氏贾第虫病毒（L13218）序列同源性为94．62％，编码的氨基酸同源性为93．50％；与国内人源蓝氏贾第虫病毒（AF525216）序列同源性为98．88％，编码的氨基酸同源性为98．30％。     

Identification and heterologous expression of a Sarcoptes scabiei cDNA encoding a structural antigen with immunodiagnostic potential

The mite Sarcoptes scabiei causes sarcoptic mange (or scabies), a disease of considerable human and veterinary significance. An S. scabiei cDNA clone of about 2 kb was isolated from a S. scabiei var. hominis expression library by immunological screening using blood serum from a naturally infected chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra). The nucleotide sequence of the identified cDNA contains an open reading frame of 1930 bp that encodes a 642 amino acid polypeptide. This polypeptide shows tandem repeats of a glycine-serine rich 20 residue sequence followed by a unique C-terminal glutamate rich 54 residue sequence. The cDNA or the deduced polypeptide did not show significant similarities to any of the sequences in the databases. A carboxyl-terminal fragment of this polypeptide (residues 380 to 642) was efficiently expressed in Escherichia coli as a fusion with Glutathione S-transferase and then was used to produce a specific antiserum. The antigen encoded by the cDNA was located at the integument of the mite's epidermis and the cavities surrounding its vital organs. Western blot analysis of mite extracts using the specific antiserum against the recombinant protein identified antigens larger that 60 kDa indicating that the isolated cDNA did not contain the full ORF. Moreover, we designed a diagnostic assay based on the carboxyl-terminal fragment of the antigen for the identification of infected animals.