Skin mast cell histamine release following stem cell factor and high-affinity immunoglobulin E receptor cross-linking in dogs with atopic dermatitis

Stem cell factor (SCF) influences mast cell activation and inflammatory mediator release, and is elevated in tissues undergoing allergic inflammation. Wheal formation in response to the injection of SCF or anti-immunoglobulin (Ig)E antibody injection was compared between normal (n = 10) and nonlesional atopic (n = 10) canine skin. In situ SCF secretion was compared between lesional and nonlesional skin using immunohistochemistry. Histamine release by skin cell suspensions after stimulation with SCF, concanavalin A (ConA) or rabbit anticanine IgE antibodies was compared between normal and atopic dogs. All dogs exhibited strong responses to intradermal SCF injection at 10 and 50 ng mL(-1). Atopic dogs had significantly (P = 0.002) larger wheal responses to anti-IgE than normal dogs; but there was no difference in numbers of skin mast cells bearing IgE as detected by immunohistochemistry. Only atopic dogs exhibited interstitial deposition of SCF in both lesional and nonlesional skin specimens. Median histamine release stimulated by SCF in the absence of IgE from lesional skin cells was higher in atopic than normal dogs (P = 0.04). These experiments suggest that dermal SCF secretion could potentiate histamine release following IgE receptor cross-linking and thus, could be one of the explanations for the inherent mast cell hyperexcitability observed in canine atopic dermatitis.     

Production of stem cell factor in canine mast cell tumors

Mast cell tumor (MCT) is the most common cutaneous tumor in dogs. We recently revealed that production of stem cell factor (SCF) contributes to the proliferation of neoplastic mast cells in an autocrine/paracrine manner. The aim of the present study was to determine the contribution of the mechanism in clinical MCTs. In consequence, high SCF expression (>10 times compared to HRMC cells) was observed in 5 of 7 MCT samples used in the study regardless of KIT mutation, which was confirmed in immunohistochemical analysis. In addition, production of SCF was observed in Ki-67-positive cells in the MCT xenograft. These results indicate the broad contribution of SCF autocrine/paracrine mechanism on clinical MCTs, providing the rationale for the clinical use of KIT inhibitors regardless of KIT mutation.     

Generation and characterization of novel canine malignant mast cell line CL1

Studies using the currently available malignant canine mast cell lines and bone marrow-derived cultured mast cells (BMCMCs) have provided an in-depth understanding of normal and neoplastic canine mast cell biology. However, many of the currently available malignant canine mast cell lines possess limitations, including loss of cell surface markers and inability to bind canine IgE. We have recently generated a novel mast cell line, CL1, from an 11-year-old spayed female Labrador retriever diagnosed with systemic mastocytosis and neoplastic effusion. The CL1 cells express KIT, Fc?RI, CD44, CD45, CD14, CD11a, CD11b and CD18 as well as chymase. Interestingly, these cells express wild-type KIT, with no evidence of autophosphorylation, but are able to proliferate independently without the addition of exogenous stem cell factor (SCF), KIT ligand. However, stimulation of CL1 cells with SCF induces KIT phosphorylation promoting cell proliferation. The CL1 cells retain functional properties of mast cells, degranulating in a dose-dependent manner in response to both IgE cross-linking and chemical stimulation. Lastly, cytogenetic evaluation revealed several recurrent tumor-associated chromosome copy number imbalances in the CL1 line. In summary, the CL1 cell line possesses phenotypic and functional properties similar to those found in canine BMCMCs, and will likely be a useful tool to study mast cell biology, factors regulating transformation of mast cells, cytogenetic abnormalities in mast cell tumors, and novel preclinical therapies.     

Endothelin-positive mast cells in porcine renal artery and vein

For a first time the endothelin (ET)-positive mast cells were examined in the wall of kidney renal artery and vein. The specimen's were collected from six 8-month-old Danmark Landrace pigs, immediately after slaughtering. Mast cells immunopositive to ET granules were observed in the wall of both artery and vein. In the renal artery, they were found mostly between the media and the adventitia. Some mast cells were found in the media, next to smooth muscle cells. Relatively few mast cells were found in the intima and between intima and tunica media. In the renal vein a smaller number of mast cells were observed. They showed similar localization as in the renal artery. Immunopositive mast cells were established also close to endothelial cells - mostly between internal elastic membrane and basal membrane of the endothelium. In conclusion, on the basis of obtained results, presumptions for active participation of ET (most probably mainly ET-1) in the motility of the vessels' smooth muscle and for stimulation of nitric oxide release from the intimal endothelial cells were made.     

Effects of cytokines from thymocytes and thymic stromal cells on chicken intrathymic T cell development

We have studied the ability of thymic stromal cells (TSC) and thymocytes to produce cytokines and the involvement of cytokines in intrathymic T cell development. When thymocytes were co-cultured with thymic stromal cells in absence of direct contact and mitogenic stimulation, induction of thymocyte proliferation was observed. Supernatants of cultured stromal cells (TSC-CS) promoted a high proliferative response on CD3- thymocytes but had little effect on CD3+ thymocytes. These results indicate that stromal cells have produced a cytokine which can induce immature thymocyte proliferation. Moreover, stromal cells express the MRNA for stem cell factor (SCF) and c-kit (the receptor for SCF) was detected on CD3- thymocytes but not on CD3+ thymocytes. Since SCF can enhance the proliferation of immature thymocytes in synergy with IL-7 in mammals, there is a possibility that chicken stromal cells may produce a IL-7-like factor. Thymocytes have clearly expressed interferon (IFN)-gamma. In contrast, thymic stromal cells showed no detectable expression of IFN-gamma. CD3+ thymocytes express IFN-gamma MRNA more strongly than CD3 thymocytes, suggesting that IFN-gamma from thymocytes may operate on stromal cells and then may indirectly induce clonal elimination of CD3+ cells on stromal cells. The expression of these cytokines and receptors by thymic stromal cells and thymocyte subpopulations suggests that these cytokines participate in paracrine interactions between these cell populations during thymocyte differentiation.     

猪MEF2C基因慢病毒表达载体构建及C2C12细胞转染条件的优化

MEF2C基因能够控制肌细胞分化过程中的基因转录,特别在骨骼肌、心肌和平滑肌中介导细胞的分化。本研究将猪 MEF2C 基因化学合成后经 Bam HI 和 Asc I 双酶切后克隆到慢病毒表达载体 pLen-ti6.3_MCS_IRES2-EGFP中,获得的重组质粒用限制性内切酶酶切分析和测序鉴定;利用慢病毒阴性对照侵染靶细胞C2C12来确定最佳MOI值以及靶细胞最适抗生素Blasticidin剂量。结果显示猪MEF2C基因成功克隆到慢病毒表达载体中;该重组质粒侵染靶细胞C2C12的最佳MOI值为300;靶细胞抗生素的筛选剂量为4μg/mL,维持剂量为3μg/mL上述试验为建立MEF2C稳定过表达细胞系提供了前期工作基础。     

山羊皱胃平滑肌细胞的培养及鉴定

用外科手术方法取山羊皱胃的平滑肌组织,采用组织块培养的方法,在体外进行山羊皱胃平滑肌细胞的分离培养,为反刍动物皱胃疾病的研究提供了实验材料。结果表明,本研究成功培养出山羊皱胃的平滑肌细胞。倒置显微镜下,细胞生长状态良好,呈现平滑肌细胞特征性的"峰-谷"状结构,活细胞达95%以上,免疫组化染色显示细胞浆内平滑肌肌动蛋白呈阳性表达。     

Morphological and immunocytochemical investigations on mast cells in porcine ureter

Morphological, morphometric, histochemical and immunocytochemical investigations on mast cells, located in the wall of ureter of 8 months aged pigs were performed. Mast cells were found in all three layers of ureteral wall, but their distribution was irregular and the number unequal. It was established that alcian blue (AB)-positive mast cells were significantly more than toluidine blue (TB)-positive mast cells. A statistically significant smaller number of both AB and TB-stained mast cells were observed in the tunica mucosa. The largest number of mast cells was found in the tunica muscularis. In the adventitia, mast cells were higher in number in the main connective tissue than in the connective tissue near the blood vessels. Mast cells stained with TB showed variably expressed gamma-metachromasia, which was best visible in those situated in the lamina propria of the mucosa. The prevailing parts of mast cells, however, were AB-positive after AB-safranin staining. This was mostly found in mast cells of the tunica muscularis and in mast cells of perivascular location in the tunica adventitia. Immunocytochemically, mast cells were found to be positive for histamine and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in the muscle coat, and to histamine in the adventitia, as well. On the basis of obtained results it was presumed that the mast cells in porcine ureter most probably took part not only in keeping of local homeostasis, but played also an important role of mobility of smooth muscle cells in the middle layer of ureter on one hand, and, on the other, in the adventitial blood vessels.     

Stem cell factor enhances IgE-mediated histamine and TNF-alpha release from dispersed canine cutaneous mast cells

Stem cell factor (SCF), the c-kit receptor ligand, plays a critical role in mast cell (MC) development and differentiation. In addition, SCF has recently been found to both modulate and induce MC activation. To investigate the effect of SCF on canine cutaneous MC function, we have characterized the ability of SCF to modulate the release by mature canine MC of preformed (histamine) and newly generated (TNF-alpha) mediators. Mature MC were isolated from skin and cultured in the absence or presence of exogenous SCF (6 ng/ml) for up to 5 days and then challenged with anti-IgE (1 microg/ml) alone for 30 min or with a combination of SCF (50 ng/ml) and anti-IgE. SCF alone failed to trigger either histamine or TNF-alpha release at any time. However, we observed that SCF used as a co-stimulus significantly potentiated histamine and TNF-alpha release in canine MC activated through Fc epsilon RI regardless of whether or not SCF was added to the medium during culturing. Thus, the mean histamine release (%) and TNF-alpha production (pg/ml) were found to be significantly higher if cells were maintained in culture in SCF-supplemented medium compared with cells cultured in the absence of exogenous SCF. We also observed that MC responsiveness to immunological stimulation increased with culture time, the percentage of histamine released being higher in cells cultured for at least 3 days when compared to freshly isolated MC. Taken together these findings suggest that canine skin MC releasability can be enhanced independently either through prolonged incubation with SCF and/or through anti-IgE and SCF co-stimulation.     

Reduced mucosal injury of SPF chickens by mast cell stabilization after infection with very virulent infectious bursal disease virus

Recent studies here have demonstrated that increased mast cell populations and tryptase activity contribute to lesion formation in regions of immune organs in special-pathogen-free chickens after infection with very virulent infectious bursal disease virus (vvIBDV). Mast cells and their mediators have been implicated in acute inflammatory injury after vvIBDV infection, but their precise role in this process remains elusive. In this study, the role of mast cells in the vvIBDV infection process was examined using ketotifen, a mast cell membrane stabilizer. On days 1, 2, and 3 postinfection, the bursa of Fabricius (BFs) were collected to quantify mast cells, tryptase and histamine contents by cytochemistry, immunohistochemistry and fluorospectrophotometry analyses, respectively. The results showed that the mast cell populations, tryptase expression, and histamine released increased significantly in the BFs (p < 0.01) of infected birds compared to controls, and acute inflammatory responses were observed in the former. In contrast, in infected chickens pretreated with ketotifen, mast cells, tryptase, and histamine were markedly decreased (p < 0.01) and probably as a result, the BFs remitted significantly. The overall results suggest that mast cells are positively involved in BF injury induced by vvIBDV infection. Inhibition of mast cell degranulation and concurrent mediator release may represent a novel strategy to modulate this process. This study, thus, advances the understanding of the acute inflammatory injury mechanisms triggered by vvIBDV infection and the contribution of mast cell activity in this process.     

miR-143在肌细胞中的表达及其影响

本试验旨在研究microRNA-143(miR-143)对小鼠肌细胞增殖和分化的影响。利用Real-time PCR方法对细胞不同分化时期进行检测,并且在小鼠肌细胞C2C12中通过转染miR-143 mimics和Inhibitor对标志基因myogenin(MyoG)进行检测,然后利用免疫荧光和Western blotting方法对组织相容性复合体(major histocompatibility complex,MHC)基因表达水平进行检测。结果表明,miR-143与肌细胞的增殖和分化密切相关,过表达miR-143后,肌细胞标志基因MyoG出现下调,敲低后结果相反,且在分化细胞中过表达miR-143,免疫荧光和Western blotting结果显示,标志基因MHC的表达水平下降。因此,miR-143是一个潜在的影响肌肉生长发育的microRNA,为以后肌肉发育和功能的研究提供了一个新的资料。     

Mast cells in the ovary of Gallus gallus domesticus

1. Histamine or mast cells are involved in mammalian ovary function. Their role in the avian ovary is not known. In the present study mast cell distribution in the ovary of the domestic fowl was studied. 2. Mast cells were distributed throughout the ovary, both in the stroma of medullary and cortical regions as well as in the thecae of normal and atretic follicles. In the stroma, mast cells were especially abundant in the area just below the germinal epithelium (GE) and followed the contours of the GE. 3. In the follicles, mast cells were more obvious in the thecae of small non-yolky follicles, whereas they were compressed and scattered in the larger yolky follicles. They were more frequently seen in the theca externa than in the theca interna and in their ultrastructure showed characteristic mast cell granules. 4. Some of the atretic follicles showed increased mast cells in their thecae. Postovulatory follicles had very few mast cells. 5. The possible role of the mast cells in the ovarian activity of domestic fowl is discussed.     

山羊可溶型干细胞因子mRNA在不同毛色皮肤组织中的表达水平简

为探讨可溶性干细胞因子（stem cell factor, SCF）基因表达水平与山羊毛色间的相关性,本试验利用实时荧光定量PCR（QRT-PCR）技术研究了SCF基因mRNA在黑色和白色山羊皮肤中的表达量,并对结果进行统计分析。经内参基因校正后,黑色山羊皮肤中可溶型SCF的相对表达量是白色山羊相对表达量的0.27倍（P>0.05）。可溶型SCF mRNA表达量可能与山羊毛色表型不存在相关性。     

A Case of Feline Gastrointestinal Eosinophilic Sclerosing Fibroplasia

Feline gastrointestinal eosinophilic sclerosing fibroplasia was diagnosed in an 8-month-old Scottish fold that had a primary gastrointestinal mass involving the stomach, duodenum and mesenteric lymph nodes. Histopathologically, the most characteristic feature of this mass was granulation tissue with eosinophil infiltration and hyperplasia of sclerosing collagen fiber. Immunohistochemically, large spindle-shaped cells were positive for smooth muscle actin and vimentin. This case emphasizes the importance of feline gastrointestinal eosinophilic sclerosing fibroplasia as a differential diagnosis of gastrointestinal neoplastic lesions such as osteosarcoma and mast cell tumor in cats.     

奶牛皱胃平滑肌细胞体外培养方法的建立

平滑肌细胞是胃动力的基本单位,为研究奶牛皱胃弛缓的发病机理,本研究建立了奶牛皱胃平滑肌细胞的体外培养方法。手术取奶牛皱胃组织,镜下分离出肌层,运用酶消化法分离皱胃平滑肌细胞并进行体外培养,在倒置显微镜下观察细胞的生长状态,用免疫组化染色方法进行平滑肌细胞鉴定。结果显示细胞生长状态良好,呈现平滑肌细胞特征性的"峰-谷"状结构,免疫组化染色显示细胞浆内平滑肌肌动蛋白呈阳性表达,表明该细胞为平滑肌细胞,可用于后续的试验研究。     

发情周期不同阶段牦牛子宫中黄体生成素受体的表达变化

为研究发情周期不同阶段牦牛子宫中黄体生成索受体(LHR)的定位及表达变化,笔者利用免疫组织化学SP法分别检测发情期、发情后期、间情期和发情前期牦牛子宫中LHR的表达,并进行光密度值分析.结果表明,LHR免疫阳性产物在牦牛子宫腺上皮细胞、基质细胞、血管内皮细胞、血管平滑肌细胞和肌层平滑肌细胞中均有表达;腺上皮细胞、基质细胞和肌层平滑肌细胞中LHR在发情前期和发情期表达最弱,发情后期表达增加,间情期表达最强(P＜0.05);子宫内膜血管平滑肌细胞中LHR的表达在发情期最强,间情期最弱(P＜0.05);血管内皮中LHR在发情期和发情前期表达很强,发情后期和间情期显著下降(P＜0.05).结果表明LHR参与了发情周期不同阶段牦牛子宫功能变化的调控.     

The ultrastructure of Strongylus vulgaris-mediated equine chronic mesenteric arteritis

Cells found in the intima and media of the cranial mesenteric artery of a mature mare with chronic arteritis were identified as smooth muscle cells and occurred in association with collagen and elastin fibres. As no fibroblasts were demonstrable within these regions, the smooth muscle cells were the likely source of the extracellular matrix. In contrast, the abnormal adventitis from the same artery contained abundant fibroblasts which are considered to be the source of the adventitial collagen.     

猪正反交F1代背最长肌中H3.3基因表达的发育性变化

为了解猪组蛋白变异体H3.3基因在组织中表达的发育性变化规律,本研究通过实时荧光定量PCR的方法,检测H3.3基因在不同日龄和正反交组合下在猪肌肉组织中的表达水平。试验结果表明,猪H3.3基因在猪出生后各个时期的背最长肌中均有表达,且随日龄的增加表达量也随之增加;正反交间表达量也有所差异,1日龄反交(二花脸猪♂×大约克猪♀)组表达量大于正交(大约克猪♂×二花脸猪♀)组,20日龄以后,均为正交组表达量高于反交组,但同时期各组正反交表达量间均差异不显著。本试验首次证实了组蛋白变异体H3.3在猪肌肉组织中确有掺入,得到了H3.3在猪肌细胞中表达量的发育性规律,并且认为H3.3的替换作用可能受到母体效应的影响。本研究为更深入的研究组蛋白变体的替换对真核生物细胞生长和发育相关基因的调控与修饰分子机制的研究奠定基础。     

秦川肉牛AdipoR1和AdipoR2基因克隆、生物信息学分析及表达研究

试验旨在利用生物信息学方法对秦川牛肉用新品系(以下简称“秦川肉牛”)AdipoR1、AdipoR2基因的CDS区进行克隆及分析,并探究其在秦川肉牛不同组织及肌细胞诱导分化不同时间的表达情况。以秦川肉牛为研究对象,经PCR扩增得到AdipoR1、AdipoR2基因CDS区序列,运用生物信息学软件对其功能结构进行预测,同时采用实时荧光定量PCR术获得AdipoR1、AdipoR2基因在秦川肉牛15个组织和诱导分化后不同时间的表达量,再进行差异分析。结果显示,秦川肉牛AdipoR1基因编码序列全长为1128 bp,编码375个氨基酸,蛋白分子质量为42446.41 u,理论等电点为6.70,AdipoR1蛋白二级结构主要由α-螺旋构成,二、三级结构预测结果一致,属于亲水性蛋白,没有信号肽位点;AdipoR2基因编码序列全长1161 bp,编码386个氨基酸,蛋白分子质量为43707.70 u,理论等电点为6.27。亚细胞定位结果表明,AdipoR1蛋白有60.9%的可能定位在细胞膜,AdipoR2蛋白有73.9%的可能定位在细胞膜。不同物种氨基酸系统进化树结果显示,秦川肉牛AdipoR1、AdipoR2基因编码的氨基酸序列分别与瘤牛和野牦牛的亲缘性最近。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,AdipoR1、AdipoR2基因在秦川肉牛心脏、肝脏、肌肉等15个组织中均有表达,且在肌肉组织中的表达量最高,极显著高于其他组织(P<0.01),在肌细胞诱导分化时序上也有明显差异。本试验揭示了AdipoR1和AdipoR2基因在秦川肉牛不同组织和肌细胞诱导分化后不同时间上的表达差异,以期为进一步探究AdipoR1、AdipoR2基因的生物学功能与调控机理奠定基础。