Effects of atelocollagen gel containing bone marrow-derived stromal cells on repair of osteochondral defect in a dog

To clarify the contribution of autologous transplantation of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), an atelocollagen gel containing or not containing fluorescently-labeled canine MSCs was transplanted into an osteochondral defect which did not repair spontaneously and the histological repair of the defect was compared. Although an early repair of the cartilage was not observed in either defect, the reproduction of subchondral bone was remarkable in the MSCs-implanted defect. Moreover, in 2 weeks after operation, the implanted MSCs were located in the deeper regions of the defect, suggesting the differentiation of osteoblasts. There was a possibility that the movement of the implanted MSCs was due to an increase in intra-articular pressure from postoperative inflammation.     

Generation of canine dendritic cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most potent antigen-presenting cells that are expected to be therapeutic agents for tumor immunotherapy. In this study, we generated DCs of sufficient number for DC-based immunotherapy from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in dogs. PBMC were cultured in the presence of phytohemagglutinin (PHA). On day 6, large adherent cells with dendrite-like projections were seen, and the number of these large cells with projections increased on day 8. These cells were positive for esterase staining. They expressed MHC class II, CD11b, CD8 and weakly CD4 on their surface. They tended to make contact with lymphocytes under culture conditions. We obtained about 2-5 x 10(6) of DCs from 10 ml of peripheral blood. These DCs phagocytosed HEK-293 cells by overnight co-culturing. These cells generated from PBMC are possible canine DCs and are applicable to clinical trials of DC-based whole tumor cell immunotherapy in dogs.     

A case of feline sporotrichosis

We excised surgically a feline granulomatous lesion and performed histopathological, mycological and molecular examinations. As a result, it was diagnosed as sporotrichosis, which was the second recorded case of a cat so afflicted in Japan. After the operation, we recognized another nodule on the lymph node. Histopathological examination was therefore performed, but no fungi were detected. To prevent recurrence, the cat was administered a antimycotic drug, itraconazole. As a result, no recurrence was found. Excision of the lesion is the treatment of choice for feline sporotrichosis.     

Portal vein aneurysm in a dog

Portal vein aneurysm (PVA) is a rare abnormal dilatation of the portal vein, which has not been reported in dogs. We describe the findings of ultrasound and computed tomography in a case of PVA in a young male toy poodle, with the final diagnosis established by explorative surgical observation. The dog had an aneurysmal fusiform dilatation in the extrahepatic portal vein with portal hypertension and multiple portsystemic shunts. This is the first report of canine PVA.     

Quantitative in vivo measurement of central benzodiazepine receptors in the brain of cats by use of positron-emission tomography and [11C]flumazenil

OBJECTIVE: To map central benzodiazepine receptors (BZRs) in the brain of cats by use of positron-emission tomography (PET) and [11C]flumazenil. ANIMALS: 6 male cats that weighed between 2.0 and 3.6 kg. PROCEDURE: Brain images obtained by PET evaluation of [11C]flumazenil were superimposed on T2-weighted magnetic-resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the same cats. Detailed anatomic regions, such as the cerebral cortex, striatum, thalamus, midbrain, and cerebellum, on the PET images were evident by PET-MRI registration. Regional binding of [11C]flumazenil to BZRs was quantitatively measured by use of a model with 2 tissue compartments and 4 variables. RESULTS: The highest value for distribution volume was observed in the cerebral cortex, and the lowest value was found in the midbrain of cats. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Binding of [11C]flumazenil to BZRs in the brain of cats can be quantitatively measured by use of PET with the aid of PET-MRI registration. It is difficult to diagnose changes in these neuroreceptors within the field of current veterinary science. In the future, PET should prove useful for investigating and diagnosing brain disorders in animals in clinical settings.     

Sodium channel mutations (T929I and F1534S) found in pyrethroid-resistant strains of the cigarette beetle,Lasioderma serricorne (Coleoptera: Anobiidae)

RNA-seq data analysis of cigarette beetle (Lasioderma serricorne) strains having different sensitivities to pyrethroids identified sodium channel mutations in strains showing pyrethroid resistance: the T929I and F1534S mutations. These results suggest that reduced sensitivity of the sodium channel confers the pyrethroid resistance of L. serricorne. Results also showed that the F1534S mutation mostly occurred concurrently with the T929I mutation. The functional relation between both mutations for pyrethroid resistance is discussed.     

Three-dimensional culture of keratinocytes and the formation of basement membrane for canine footpad substitute

A pad equivalent for a dog was prepared as a substitute for the loss of footpad. In addition to the time course of formation on epidermal morphogenesis, we investigated expressions of alpha(6) integrin subunit as adhesive molecule, and laminin and type IV and VII collagens as extracellular matrices of basement membrane components. Epithelium of the pad equivalent was thick enough to be easily confirmed at 5 days at the air-liquid interface, but many creases appeared on it at 7 days, and it shrank at 10 and 14 days. Keratinocytes were increased in 4 to 5 cell layers at 1 day at the air-liquid interface, differentiating into basal cell layer. Granular and corneal cell layers were confirmed until 5 days, and maintained their shape at least until 14 days. Alpha 6 integrin was expressed at almost the same fluorescent intensity as native pad tissue at 1 day at the dermal-epidermal junction. Laminin and type IV collagen were intermittently expressed at 5 and 10 days, respectively, at the dermal-epidermal junction, and at 14 days the fluorescence showed almost the same intensity as native pad tissue. The expression of type VII collagen was discontinuous at 2 days at the dermal-epidermal junction, but remained as it was at 14 days. The present findings suggested that although the formation of anchoring fibrils in basement membrane was incomplete, the pad equivalent in the dog was reconstructed similar to a native pad by epidermal morphogenesis.