Carrier rate of the c.235G>C mutation in the bovine isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase (IARS) gene of Japanese Black cows at Kagoshima prefecture, Japan,and analysis of the metabolic profiling and reproductive performance of heterozygous cows

Bovine isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase (IARS) disorder, a major cause of weak calf syndrome, is caused by a homozygous missense (c.235G>C) mutation in the bovine IARS gene of Japanese Black (JB) cattle, which was identified in 2013. However, the extent to which the carrier rate has changed at Kagoshima prefecture, Japan, and whether the carrier status is associated with any clinical or reproductive problems, have yet to be ascertained. In this study, using a real-time polymerase chain reaction-based genotyping assay, we determined the carrier rate in a regional JB cow population at Kagoshima prefecture. Comparative analyses were performed on the metabolic profile test (MPT) results and reproductive performance data obtained for heterozygous carrier and homozygous wild-type cows. In 2009 and 2018, DNA samples were collected from 130 and 462 clinically healthy JB cows, respectively, in Kagoshima prefecture. MPT results and reproductive performance data were evaluated for 62 cows, comprising four heterozygous carriers and 58 wild-type cows. Genotyping revealed that the carrier rate was 6.9% in 2009 and 1.5% in 2018, the difference of which was statistically significant (P<0.005). There were no statistically significant differences between the carrier and wild-type cows with respect to either MPT results or reproductive performance, indicating that the carrier cows have necessary IARS activity to maintain minimal health and reproductive potential.     

Antimicrobial and cytotoxic constituents from the seeds of Annona squamosa

Annotemoyin-1, Annotemoyin-2, squamocin and cholesteryl glucopyranoside were isolated from the seeds of Annona squamosa. These compounds and plant extracts showed remarkable antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities.     

Properties of macrophages and lymphocytes appearing in rat renal fibrosis followed by repeated injection of cisplatin

Properties of macrophages and lymphocytes appearing in renal fibrosis remains to be investigated. F344 rats were injected once a week with cisplatin (2 mg/kg body weight) for 8 weeks and examined at post-final injection weeks 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12. Rats developed progressive renal fibrosis at weeks 1 to 6 as fibrosis-progress phase, and subsequent amelioration at weeks 9 and 12. CD68⁺ M1-macrophages and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II⁺ macrophages remarkably increased persistently, whereas CD163⁺ M2-macrophages slightly increased. MHC class II⁺/CD68⁺ and MHC class II⁺/CD163⁺ macrophages were present, indicating that MHC class II⁺ macrophages might have both functions of M1- and M2-macrophages. In the fibrosis-progress phase, interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interferon (IFN)-γ for M1-factors, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and IL-10 for M2-factors tended to increase; tissue injury by M1 and fibrosis by M2 might have occurred simultaneously. Lots of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells appeared in close relation with MHC class II⁺ macrophages, and mainly CD4⁺ T cells formed aggregations. In the lymphocyte aggregates collected by laser microdissection, expression of IL-17A (for Th17 cells) and forkhead box P3 (FoxP3) (for Treg) significantly increased at weeks 1 and 6, respectively; presumably, Th17 cells might be involved in tissue injury, whereas Treg might be related to fibrosis amelioration. These results suggested that macrophages and T cells may contribute interrelatedly to renal fibrosis.