Characterization of the cathelicidin cluster in the Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)

The Japanese quail has several advantages as a low‐fat meat bird with high immunity against diseases. Cathelicidins (CATHs) are antimicrobial peptides that play an important role in innate immunity. The aim of this study was to characterize the CATH cluster in the Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). The Japanese quail CATH (CjCATH) cluster, contains four CATH genes, as in the chicken. The coding sequences of CjCATHs exhibited >85.3% identity to chicken CATHs. The predicted amino acid sequences of the four CjCATH genes contained the cathelin‐like domain characteristic of CATH proteins. Polymorphisms were detected in the open reading frames (ORFs) of all CjCATH sequences. Two amino acid substitutions were observed in the antimicrobial region of the mature peptide of CjCATH2, and predicted to influence peptide function. CjCATH1 is expressed in lung, heart, bone marrow and bursa of Fabricius (BF). CjCATH2 is expressed in bone marrow. CjCATH3 is expressed in lung, heart, bone marrow, BF, tongue and duodenum. CjCATHB1 is expressed in bone marrow and BF. This study is the first to characterize CATH genes in the Japanese quail, and identifies novel antimicrobial peptide sequences belonging to the cathelicidin family, which may play a role in immunity in this species.     

Effects of polyphenols from seed shells of Japanese horse chestnut (Aesculus turbinata BLUME) on methotrexate-induced intestinal injury in rats

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of polyphenols from seed shells of Japanese horse chestnut (JHP) on methotrexate (MTX)-induced intestinal injury in rats. MTX application caused intestinal morphological injury and increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, decrease in levels of glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities in small intestine. However, oral administration of JHP ameliorated MTX-induced intestinal injury and inhibited the increase in MDA and the decrease in GSH and GSH-Px activity in small intestine. In conclusion, our results indicated that oral administration of JHP alleviated MTX-induced intestinal injury through its antioxidant properties.     

The 9th International Veterinary Immunology Symposium

The orchestrated migration of T lymphocytes is important for generating immunity and maintaining immunological tolerance. T lymphocytes can be divided into two populations, αβ T cells and γδ T cells, on the basis of their expression of different forms of the T cell receptor (TCR). γδ T cells represent an innate subset of T lymphocytes that play an important role in early immune response against a variety of pathogens, including bacteria and viruses. γδ T cells are abundant in the epithelial tissues. In ruminants and pigs, they constitute a major proportion of the blood lymphocyte pool, unlike in rodents and humans. Although recent studies using large animals have suggested that epithelial γδ T cells are the major source of γδ T cells in peripheral blood, and that they recirculate between epithelial tissues and blood via lymphatics, the migration pattern of these cells is largely unknown. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the current knowledge on γδ T cell migration under steady-state conditions. A deeper understanding of γδ T cell migration may enable therapeutic modulation of innate immune responses.     

Porcine MHC classical class I genes are coordinately expressed in superantigen-activated mononuclear cells

The expression of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) classical class I genes is important for the adaptive immune response to target virus-infected cells and cancer cells. The up-regulation of the MHC is achieved by hormonal/cytokine signals including IFN-γ-inducible elements. The swine leukocyte antigen (SLA), the MHC class I region of pigs, consists of the duplicated classical class I genes, SLA-1, SLA-2 and SLA-3, but the molecular mechanisms involved in their up-regulation after T cell stimulation have not been fully elucidated. In order to better understand some of the putative regulatory mechanisms of SLA class I gene expression in activated T cells, we examined the coordinated expression of the SLA classical class I, IFN-γ and interferon regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) genes in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of SLA homozygous Clawn miniature swine stimulated for 72h with either IFN-γ or an enterotoxin produced by Staphylococcus aureus. This enterotoxin, toxic shock syndrome-1 (TSST-1), is known to act as a superantigen (sAG) to activate the T cells in various vertebrate species. We showed by using mAbs and flow cytometry that the CD4(+)CD25(+) cell number of swine PBMCs was also increased by TSST-1 and to a lesser degree by IFN-γ. Time course analyses of the expression of the IFN-γ, IRF-1 and the three classical class I genes, SLA-1, SLA-2, and SLA-3, in PBMCs by quantitative real-time PCR revealed a transitory response to TSST-1 or IFN-γ stimulation. The IFN-γ mRNA levels in the PBMCs were continuously up-regulated over the first 48h by TSST-1 or IFN-γ. In contrast, SLA class I expression moderately increased at 24h and then decreased to a baseline level or less at 72h of IFN-γ or TSST-1 stimulation. The three classical SLA class I genes showed similar expression kinetics, although SLA-3 mRNA level was consistently lower than those of SLA-1 and -2. The expression of IRF-1, a modulator of SLA expression, showed similar kinetics to those of the three classical SLA class I genes. The expression profiles detected by flow cytometry of the SLA molecules on the cell surface of PBMCs were maintained at a consistently high level during cell stimulation with either TSST-1 or IFN-γ, which was distinct from the kinetics of mRNA expression. These results showed that miniature swine SLA class I mRNA expression was effectively and equally up-regulated among the three loci and coordinately with IRF-1 gene expression after stimulation of T cell activation by sAG or IFN-γ.     

Changes of receptor mRNAs for oxytocin and estrogen during the estrous cycle in rat uterus

Oxytocin receptor (OTR) mRNA levels increase dramatically near term and is potently stimulated by estrogen because increased OTR mRNA levels result from estrogen treatment in ovariectomized rat uterus. In this study, OTR, estrogen receptor (ER) alpha and ERbeta mRNA levels in the rat uterus during the estrous cycle were examined by quantitative RT-PCR. OTR mRNA levels during the estrous cycle began to increase on diestrus (P<0.05, vs value on estrus), reached maximal increase both in the morning (1000-1130 hr) and afternoon (1600-1630 hr) on proestrus (P<0.01, vs metestrus, diestrus and estrus) and then declined on estrus. In contrast ER alpha mRNA levels began to decrease on diestrus, reached statistical significance both in the morning and the afternoon on proestrus (P<0.01, vs metestrus, diestrus and estrus) and returned to the value of metestrus on estrus. ERbeta mRNA levels were low in the morning and the afternoon on proestrus (P<0.01, vs metestrus and estrus) and also returned to metestrus values on estrus. Treatments with estrogen for 3 days significantly decreased both ERalpha and ERbeta mRNA levels. It can be concluded from these results that during the estrous cycle, OTR mRNA levels in rat uterus predominantly increase at proestrus with a decrease in ERalpha and ERbeta mRNA levels, which is probably due to the increased estrogen levels in circulation before ovulation.     

Post-exposure treatment of cats with mouse-cat chimeric antibodies against feline herpesvirus type 1 and feline calicivirus

In order to confirm the in vivo effectiveness of anti- feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) mouse-cat chimeric antibody (FJH2), and anti-feline calicivirus (FCV) mouse-cat chimeric antibody (F1D7), cats that had been experimentally infected with FHV-1 or FCV were administered intravenously with the chimeric antibodies, and observed for clinical manifestations. The symptoms due to FHV-1 or FCV infection in the cats administered FJH2 or F1D7 were obviously decreased when compared with those of the non-administered control cats. From these results, it was confirmed that both FJH2 and F1D7 were effective at reducing the appearance of symptoms due to FHV-1 and FCV infection, respectively.     

Immunostimulating and growth-promoting effects of sugar cane extract (SCE) in chickens

Polymorphonuclear cells of the peripheral blood in the chicken significantly increased their phagocytosis when cultured with sugar cane extract (SCE; 250-1,000 microg/ml) for 24 hr. Chickens orally administered SCE (500 mg/kg/day) for 3 or 6 consecutive days at 1 week of age showed significantly higher body weight and gain in body weight/day and a lower food conversion ratio within the growing period of 6 weeks than physiological saline-administered control chickens. Furthermore, oral administration of SCE also resulted in significantly higher immune responses against sheep red blood cells and Brucella abortus. These results suggest that SCE has immunostimulating and growth promoting effects in chickens.     

Reproductive traits of the Ryukyu long-furred rat (Diplothrix legata) on Okinawa-jima Island

The Ryukyu long-furred rat, Diplothrix legata, is a large rodent distributed only on Amami-ohshima Island, Tokuno-shima Island and Okinawa-jima Island, Japan. This animal is endangered as a result of deforestation, predation by introduced carnivores and mortality caused by vehicles. We performed theriogenological examinations of 32 male and 25 female Ryukyu long-furred rats carcasses collected from wild populations on northern Okinawa-jima Island from December 2005 to September 2013. Adult males had remarkably large preputial glands. Seminiferous diameter of adult was significantly small (136 ± 28 µm, n=8) from April to August. Numerous spermatozoa were observed from September through February, and seminiferous diameter was significantly large (216 ± 27 µm, n=12) during this time in adults; testes length changed in a similar pattern. These findings indicate that the mating season may occur from September through February. Size (body length) at sexual maturity was estimated to be >560 mm in both sexes. From observation of corpora lutea and placental scars, litter size was estimated to range from 2 to 12 (average=6, n=4). These results provide fundamental knowledge that will be beneficial for in situ and ex situ conservation of this rare species.