Vasomotor effects of histamine on bovine and equine basilar arteriesin vitro

The vasomotor effects of histamine on isolated bovine and equine basilar arteries were examined. Histamine induced contractions in both these preparations. The maximal response to and pEC₅₀ value for histamine of the equine artery were larger than those of bovine tissue. Similar results were obtained with endothelium-denuded basilar arteries. Diphenhydramine (H₁-receptor antagonist) inhibited histamine-induced contractions of the basilar arteries from both species in a concentration-dependent manner and its pA ₂ values (with 95% confidence limits) were 7.61 (7.39–7.83) and 8.15 (8.01–8.29) for the bovine and equine preparations, respectively. Cimetidine (H₂-receptor antagonist) slightly potentiated histamine-induced contractions of bovine, but not equine, basilar arteries. 2-Thiazolylethylamine (H₁-receptor agonist) induced contractions in both preparations, whereas impromidine (H₂-receptor agonist) induced weak relaxation of the bovine, but not the equine, tissue. These findings indicate that bovine basilar arterial smooth muscle cells possess H₁- and H₂-receptors. Stimulation of the former results in contraction, whereas stimulation of the latter results in weak relaxation. Equine basilar arterial smooth muscle cells possess H₁-receptors, stimulation of which results in contraction.Abbreviations CR concentration ratio - EC₅₀ concentration producing 50% maximal response - pA ₂ negative logarithm of the molar concentration of antagonist that produces a twofold rightward shift of a concentration-response curve - pEC₅₀ negative logarithm of EC₅₀ - PGF₂ prostaglandin F₂ - PGI₂ prostaglandin I₂     

缺Se对雏鸡血清组胺水平及空肠H_2R mRNA表达的影响

将40只1日龄雏鸡随机分成低Se试验组（日粮Se含量0.032 mg/kg）和正常对照组（日粮Se含量0.229mg/kg）,分别在30、45、60和75 d断头处死取样,用ELISA法检测组胺浓度及半定量RT-PCR法测定空肠2型组胺受体（H2R）mRNA表达水平。结果表明,血清组胺水平在对照组与缺Se组及缺Se组组间比较差异均极显著（P〈0.01）;Se缺乏时鸡空肠H2R mRNA表达水平呈升高趋势,对照组与缺Se组及缺Se组组间比较差异极显著（P〈0.01）;在整个试验期间,缺Se组血清Se含量与组胺浓度及H2R mRNA表达水平呈时间-效应关系。缺Se刺激肥大细胞脱颗粒,使血清中组胺浓度和空肠H2R mRNA的表达水平升高,可能对硒缺乏引起的空肠组织损伤具有保护作用。     

Specific binding of bovine, ovine, caprine and equine IgG subclasses to defined types of immunoglobulin receptors in gram-positive cocci

One hundred and twenty bacterial strains were tested for non-immune binding of radiolabelled bovine, ovine, caprine and equine immunoglobulins. Bacteria possessing previously defined IgG receptors interacted in a well defined manner with purified IgG subclass immunoglobulins. Human group C and G streptococci carrying IgG receptors type III were capable of binding all IgG subclasses in the four mammalian species studied. Protein A-containing staphylococci demonstrated a restricted specificity with binding of bovine IgG1, ovine IgG1, caprine IgG1 and IgG2 as well as equine IgG(ab). Group A streptococci which can bind human IgG did not show specific reactivity. A new type of binding unrelated to the regular Fc-mediated binding was observed with equine IgG(T).The differences in specificity for IgG subclasses suggest that structures with binding capacity to streptococcal type III Fc receptors are different from staphylococcal protein A reactive sites. Inhibition experiments performed with purified immunoglobulins showed that individual IgG subclasses differed greatly in their inhibiting capacity reflecting differences in avidity.The high avidity and the broad, unrestricted immunoglobulin G reactivity of streptococcal IgG receptor type III indicate that human group C and G streptococci may provide a valuable tool for solid phase absorption of immunoglobulins from several mammalian species.     

Intradermal skin testing in Hispaniolan parrots (Amazona ventralis)

The purpose of this study was to develop and standardize a protocol for intradermal skin testing in birds. Forty clinically normal Hispaniolan Amazon parrots were anaesthetized and tested by intradermal injection with 0.02 mL of phosphate-buffered saline, histamine phosphate, compound 48/80, codeine phosphate, deionized water, antiavian IgG and rabbit serum. Injection sites were evaluated at 5, 10 and 15 min, 4–6, 24 and 48 h following injection using callipers to measure the diameter of the wheals. A second intradermal skin test was repeated in 20 birds with 0.03 mL of saline, compound 48/80 and codeine phosphate. This study provides the basis for an appropriate protocol for intradermal skin testing in parrots, including recommended site (proventer region), volume of injection (0.02 mL), negative control (saline), positive control (codeine phosphate 1 : 100 000 w/v) and optimum reading time (5 min). Further study to establish appropriate dosages for test antigen will be required.     

Expression patterns of influenza virus receptors in the respiratory tracts of four species of poultry

The primary determinant of influenza virus infectivity is the type of linkage between sialic acid and oligosaccharides on the host cells. Hemagglutinin of avian influenza viruses preferentially binds to sialic acids linked to galactose by an α-2,3 linkage whereas hemagglutinin of human influenza viruses binds to sialic acids with an α-2,6 linkage. The distribution patterns of influenza receptors in the avian respiratory tracts are of particular interest because these are important for initial viral attachment, replication, and transmission to other species. In this study, we examined the distribution patterns of influenza receptors in the respiratory tract of chickens, ducks, pheasants, and quails because these species have been known to act as intermediate hosts in interspecies transmission. Lectin histochemistry was performed to detect receptor-bearing cells. Cell-specific distribution of the receptors was determined and expression densities were compared. We observed species-, site-, and cell-specific variations in receptor expression. In general, receptor expression was the highest in quails and lowest in ducks. Pheasants and quails had abundant expression of both types of receptors throughout the respiratory tract. These results indicate that pheasants and quails may play important roles as intermediate hosts for the generation of influenza viruses with pandemic potential.     

Innate immunity and host defense peptides in veterinary medicine

Recent years have witnessed a surge in interest directed at innate immune mechanisms. Proper conceptualization of the key elements of innate immunity, however, is still a work in progress, because most research in immunology traditionally has been focused on components of the acquired immune response. The question of why an animal stays healthy in a world filled with many dangers is perhaps as interesting as why it sometimes surrenders to disease. Consequently, studies with an increased focus on inborn mechanisms of animal host defense may help further the development of appropriate preventative and therapeutic measures in veterinary medicine. Host defense peptides (HDPs) are central effector molecules of innate immunity, and are produced by virtually all living species throughout the plant and animal kingdoms. These gene-encoded peptides play a central role in multiple, clinically relevant disease processes. Imbalances in the expression of HDPs can lead to overt pathology in different organ systems and cell types in all species studied. In addition, HDPs are an ancient group of innate chemical protectors, which are now evaluated as model molecules for the development of novel natural antibiotics and immunoregulatory compounds. This review provides an overview of HDPs and is aimed at veterinary practitioners as well as basic researchers with an interest in comparative immunology involving small and large animal species.     

镰形扇头蜱组胺结合蛋白RhHBP基因的克隆和重组表达

为了进行抗蜱及蜱传病疫苗的研究,本试验根据GenBank中的镰形扇头蜱组胺结合蛋白(Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloideshistamine bindingprotein,RhHBP)基因cDNA序列,设计一对特异性引物(内含EcoRI/XhoI酶切位点),经RT-PCR扩增了镰形扇头蜱组胺结合蛋白RhHBP的cD-NA,大小为603 bp,将其克隆到pGEM-Teasy中并测序。在去除编码RhHBP信号肽的核苷酸序列后,将其亚克隆到pGEX-4T-1中,构建重组质粒pGEX-4T-1-RhHBP,将该重组质粒转化大肠杆菌BL21,经终浓度为1 mmol/L IPTG诱导其表达,表达的融合蛋白大小为49 ku,以包涵体的形式存在。Western Blot分析表明,该蛋白具有良好的免疫原性。     

鸡红细胞免疫功能研究 I.鸡红细胞C_(3b)受体测定

建立了用C_(3b)致敏酵母检测鸡红细胞C_(3b)受体的E—C_(3b)R花环试验,以及用C_(3b)未致敏酵母检测鸡红细胞表面免疫复合物的E—IC花环试验.经检测,Avian(45例)、AA(282例)、罗丝(141例)和星杂579(58例)4个品种鸡的E—C_(3b)R花环率/E—IC花环率分别为19.4±4.4%/5.2±3.2%,15.4±3.1%/3.2±2.8%,9.7±3.2%/4.6±2.0%和9.4±2.3%/3.9±1.5%.本实验结果表明,鸡红细胞上存在C_(3b)受体,该受体对不同动物来源的补体有不同的亲和性,其免疫粘附具有较强的pH值依赖性.     

Effects of different group B streptococci strains on platelet activation

AIM: To explore the ability of different group B streptococci (GBS) strains on inducing platelet activation. METHODS: Six strains of GBS, separated from the septic patients with thrombocytopenia, were used as the inducers. Light transmission aggregometry was used to measure platelet aggregation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed to investigate the interaction of platelets with bacteria. The expression of platelet CD62P, Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4 was determined by flow cytometry and Western blotting. Furthermore, the activity of platelet TLR2 (or TLR4) was blocked by anti-TLR2 (or anti-TLR4) monoclonal antibody, and the platelet aggregation induced by GBS was detected. RESULTS: Only 3 of 6 GBS strains isolated from the septic patients induced platelet aggregation and up-regulated the expression of CD62P and TLR2 in the platelets (P < 0.05), but not TLR4. Incubation with anti-TLR2 antibody, but not anti-TLR4 antibody, significantly blocked platelet aggregation induced by GBS.CONCLUSION: Some GBS strains from the patients are able to trigger platelet activation in vitro, and platelet TLR2 may play an important role in the interaction between GBS and platelets.