The amplitude of the acoustic startle response is increased when elicited in the presence of brief cues that predict shock (fear-potentiated startle) and also when elicited during sustained exposure to bright light (light-enhanced startle). Although both effects are thought to reflect fear or anxiety, their neuroanatomical substrates differ. Whereas fear-potentiated startle is disrupted by reversible inactivation of the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) but not the closely related bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), light-enhanced startle is disrupted by BNST inactivation but not by CeA inactivation. Intra-ventricular infusions of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) also increase startle (CRF-enhanced startle) and this effect is mediated by CRF receptors within the BNST, with no involvement of the CeA. Together, these observations suggest that CeA- and BNST-dependent fear and anxiety may be differentially sensitive to CRF receptor blockade. We tested this by orally administering the novel, potent, and selective CRF-R1 antagonist GSK876008 to rats prior to CRF-enhanced, light-enhanced, or fear-potentiated startle testing. GSK876008 disrupted CRF-enhanced startle with a linear dose-response curve, and light-enhanced startle with a U-shaped dose-response curve, but did not disrupt fear-potentiated startle to a visual stimulus at any dose tested, and even augmented the response in some animals. GSK876008 also disrupted shock-related ‘baseline’ startles increases, which may have reflected context conditioning (shown elsewhere to also be BNST-dependent). Overall, these results suggest that short-duration CeA-dependent threat responses can be pharmacologically dissociated from longer-duration BNST-dependent responses in terms of their sensitivity to CRF1 receptor antagonists.
doi:10.1038/npp.2008.210
PMCID: PMC3586210
PMID: 19078950
fear; anxiety; startle; amygdala; bed nucleus of the stria terminalis; corticotropin releasing factor
Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ OA) is a degenerative disease that affects both cartilage and subchondral bone. We used microarray to identify changes in gene expression levels in the TMJ during early stages of the disease, using an established TMJ OA genetic mouse model deficient in 2 extracellular matrix proteins, biglycan and fibromodulin (bgn-/0fmod-/-). Differential gene expression analysis was performed with RNA extracted from 3-week-old WT and bgn-/0fmod-/- TMJs with an intact cartilage/subchondral bone interface. In total, 22 genes were differentially expressed in bgn-/0fmod-/- TMJs, including 5 genes involved in osteoclast activity/differentiation. The number of TRAP-positive cells were three-fold higher in bgn-/0fmod-/- TMJs than in WT. Quantitative RT-PCR showed up-regulation of RANKL and OPG, with a 128% increase in RANKL/OPG ratio in bgn-/0fmod-/- TMJs. Histology and immunohistochemistry revealed tissue disorganization and reduced type I collagen in bgn-/0fmod-/- TMJ subchondral bone. Early changes in gene expression and tissue defects in young bgn-/0fmod-/- TMJ subchondral bone are likely attributed to increased osteoclast activity. Analysis of these data shows that biglycan and fibromodulin are critical for TMJ subchondral bone integrity and reveal a potential role for TMJ subchondral bone turnover during the initial early stages of TMJ OA disease in this model.
doi:10.1177/0022034511421930
PMCID: PMC3188464
PMID: 21917603
temporomandibular disorders; osteoclasts; matrix biology; bone biology osteoarthritis; cartilage
Jeyapalan, J N | Noor, D A Mohamed | Lee, S-H | Tan, C L | Appleby, V A | Kilday, J P | Palmer, R D | Schwalbe, E C | Clifford, S C | Walker, D A | Murray, M J | Coleman, N | Nicholson, J C | Scotting, P J
Background:
Yolk sac tumours (YSTs) and germinomas are the two major pure histological subtypes of germ cell tumours. To date, the role of DNA methylation in the aetiology of this class of tumour has only been analysed in adult testicular forms and with respect to only a few genes.
Methods:
A bank of paediatric tumours was analysed for global methylation of LINE-1 repeat elements and global methylation of regulatory elements using GoldenGate methylation arrays.
Results:
Both germinomas and YSTs exhibited significant global hypomethylation of LINE-1 elements. However, in germinomas, methylation of gene regulatory regions differed little from control samples, whereas YSTs exhibited increased methylation at a large proportion of the loci tested, showing a ‘methylator' phenotype, including silencing of genes associated with Caspase-8-dependent apoptosis. Furthermore, we found that the methylator phenotype of YSTs was coincident with higher levels of expression of the DNA methyltransferase, DNA (cytosine-5)-methyltransferase 3B, suggesting a mechanism underlying the phenotype.
Conclusion:
Epigenetic silencing of a large number of potential tumour suppressor genes in YSTs might explain why they exhibit a more aggressive natural history than germinomas and silencing of genes associated with Caspase-8-dependent cell death might explain the relative resistance of YSTs to conventional therapy.
doi:10.1038/bjc.2011.218
PMCID: PMC3170957
PMID: 21712824
germ cell tumour; yolk sac tumour; germinoma; methylation; paediatric
There is an urgent need for new ways to treat Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia in the elderly. Current therapies are modestly effective at treating the symptoms, and do not significantly alter the course of the disease. Over the years, a range of epidemiological and experimental studies have demonstrated interactions between diabetes mellitus and AD. As both diseases are leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the elderly and are frequent co-morbid conditions, it has raised the possibility that treating diabetes might be effective in slowing AD. This is currently being attempted with drugs such as the insulin sensitizer rosiglitazone. These two diseases share many clinical and biochemical features, such as elevated oxidative stress, vascular dysfunction, amyloidogenesis and impaired glucose metabolism suggesting common pathogenic mechanisms. The main thrust of this review will be to explore the evidence from a pathological point of view to determine whether diabetes can cause or exacerbate AD. This was supported by a number of animal models of AD that have been shown to have enhanced pathology when diabetic conditions were induced. The one drawback in linking diabetes and insulin to AD has been the postmortem studies of diabetic brains demonstrating that AD pathology was not increased; in fact decreased pathology has often been reported. In addition, diabetes induces its own distinct features of neuropathology different from AD. There are common pathological features to be considered including vascular abnormalities, a major feature arising from diabetes; there is increasing evidence that vascular abnormalities can contribute to AD. The most important common mechanism between insulin-resistant (type II) diabetes and AD could be impaired insulin signaling; a form of toxic amyloid can damage neuronal insulin receptors and affect insulin signaling and cell survival. It has even been suggested that AD could be considered as “type 3 diabetes” since insulin can be produced in brain. Another common feature of diabetes and AD are increased advanced glycation endproduct-modified proteins are found in diabetes and in the AD brain; the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts plays a prominent role in both diseases. In addition, a major role for insulin degrading enzyme in the degradation of Aβ peptide has been identified. Although clinical trials of certain types of diabetic medications for treatment of AD have been conducted, further understanding the common pathological processes of diabetes and AD are needed to determine whether these diseases share common therapeutic targets.
doi:10.2174/157015911798376334
PMCID: PMC3263463
PMID: 22654727
Alzheimer’s disease; pathology; neurodegeneration; glucose metabolism; amyloid beta.
Lung development requires coordinated signaling between airway and vascular growth, but the link between these processes remains unclear. Mammalian target of rapamycin complex-1 (mTORC1) can amplify hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) vasculogenic activity through an NH2-terminal mTOR binding (TOS) motif. We hypothesized that this mechanism coordinates vasculogenesis with the fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-10/FGF-receptor2b/Spry2 regulator of airway branching. First, we tested if the HIF-1α TOS motif participated in epithelial-mesenchymal vascular signaling. mTORC1 activation by insulin significantly amplified HIF-1α activity at fetal Po2 (23 mmHg) in human bronchial epithelium (16HBE14o-) and induced vascular traits (Flk1, sprouting) in cocultured human embryonic lung mesenchyme (HEL-12469). This enhanced activation of HIF-1α by mTORC1 was abolished on expression of a HIF-1α (F99A) TOS-mutant and also suppressed vascular differentiation of HEL-12469 cocultures. Next, we determined if vasculogenesis in fetal lung involved regulation of mTORC1 by the FGF-10/FGFR2b/Spry2 pathway. Fetal airway epithelium displayed distinct mTORC1 activity in situ, and its hyperactivation by TSC1−/− knockout induced widespread VEGF expression and disaggregation of Tie2-positive vascular bundles. FGF-10-coated beads grafted into fetal lung explants from Tie2-LacZ transgenic mice induced localized vascular differentiation in the peripheral mesenchyme. In rat fetal distal lung epithelial (FDLE) cells cultured at fetal Po2, FGF-10 induced mTORC1 and amplified HIF-1α activity and VEGF secretion without induction of ERK1/2. This was accompanied by the formation of a complex between Spry2, the cCBL ubiquitin ligase, and the mTOR repressor, TSC2, which abolished GTPase activity directed against Rheb, the G protein inducer of mTORC1. Thus, mTORC1 links HIF-1α-driven vasculogenesis with the FGF-10/FGFR2b/Spry2 airway branching periodicity regulator.
doi:10.1152/ajplung.00348.2009
PMCID: PMC2957420
PMID: 20622121
lung development; epithelium; mesenchyme; hypoxia; rheb; tuberous sclerosis complex
We showed that F1 hybrid genotypes may provide a broader variety of ethanol drinking phenotypes than the inbred progenitor strains used to create the hybrids (Blednov et al. in Alcohol Clin Exp Res 29:1949–1958–2005). To extend this work, we characterized alcohol consumption as well as intake of other tastants (saccharin, quinine and sodium chloride) in five inbred strains of mice (FVB, SJL, B6, BUB, NZB) and in their reciprocal F1 hybrids with B6 (FVBxB6; B6xFVB; NZBxB6; B6xNZB; BUBxB6; B6xBUB; SJLxB6; B6xSJL). We also compared ethanol intake in these mice for several concentrations before and after two periods of abstinence. F1 hybrid mice derived from the crosses of B6 and FVB and also B6 and SJL drank higher levels of ethanol than their progenitor strains, demonstrating overdominance for two-bottle choice drinking test. The B6 and NZB hybrid showed additivity in two-bottle choice drinking, whereas the hybrid of B6 and BUB demonstrated full or complete dominance. Genealogical origin, as well as non-alcohol taste preferences (sodium chloride), predicted ethanol consumption. Mice derived from the crosses of B6 and FVB showed high sustained alcohol preference and the B6 and NZB hybrids showed reduced alcohol preference after periods of abstinence. These new genetic models offer some advantages over inbred strains because they provide high, sustained, alcohol intake, and should allow mapping of loci important for the genetic architecture of these traits.
doi:10.1007/s10519-009-9298-4
PMCID: PMC3038337
PMID: 19798565
Alcohol intake; Inbred strains; F1 hybrid; Tastes; Overdominance
Pritchard-Jones, K | Lewison, G | Camporesi, S | Vassal, G | Ladenstein, R | Benoit, Y | Predojevic, JS | Sterba, J | Stary, J | Eckschlager, T | Schroeder, H | Doz, F | Creutzig, U | Klingebiel, T | Kosmidis, HV | Garami, M | Pieters, R | O’Meara, A | Dini, G | Riccardi, R | Rascon, J | Rageliene, L | Calvagna, V | Czauderna, P | Kowalczyk, JR | Gil-da-Costa, MJ | Norton, L | Pereira, F | Janic, D | Puskacova, J | Jazbec, J | Canete, A | Hjorth, L | Ljungman, G | Kutluk, T | Morland, B | Stevens, M | Walker, D | Sullivan, R
Overcoming childhood cancers is critically dependent on the state of research. Understanding how, with whom and what the research community is doing with childhood cancers is essential for ensuring the evidence-based policies at national and European level to support children, their families and researchers. As part of the European Union funded EUROCANCERCOMS project to study and integrate cancer communications across Europe, we have carried out new research into the state of research in childhood cancers. We are very grateful for all the support we have received from colleagues in the European paediatric oncology community, and in particular from Edel Fitzgerald and Samira Essiaf from the SIOP Europe office. This report and the evidence-based policies that arise from it come at a important junction for Europe and its Member States. They provide a timely reminder that research into childhood cancers is critical and needs sustainable long-term support.
doi:10.3332/ecancer.2011.210
PMCID: PMC3223943
PMID: 22276053
Objective
Body checking may be an important behavioral consequence of body image disturbance. Despite the importance of body checking, few measurements of this construct exist, particularly for males. This study describes the development and validation of the Male Body Checking Questionnaire (MBCQ).
Method
Convergent and divergent validity, factor structure, and reliability were tested in three separate samples of men and women.
Results
Factor analyses suggested a reliable four-factor structure with evidence of a higher order global checking factor for men, but not women. The MBCQ demonstrated good concurrent and divergent validity. Short-term test-retest reliability was good with high internal consistency across time.
Discussion
Interpretation of psychometrics and recommendations for subsequent research are discussed. The MBCQ is likely to be an appropriate tool for investigating body image-based pathology in males.
doi:10.1002/eat.20669
PMCID: PMC2892168
PMID: 19247988
Male Body Checking Questionnaire; confirmatory factor analysis; psychometrics; body image disturbance; muscle dysmorphia; gender differences; exploratory factor analysis
The medial division of the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeAM) and the lateral division of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNSTL) are closely related. Both receive projections from the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and both project to brain areas that mediate fear-influenced behaviors. In contrast to CeAM however, initial attempts to implicate the BNST in conditioned fear responses were largely unsuccessful. More recent studies have shown that the BNST does participate in some types of anxiety and stress responses. Here, we review evidence suggesting that the CeAM and BNSTL are functionally complementary, with CeAM mediating short- but not long-duration threat responses (i.e., phasic fear) and BNSTL mediating long- but not short-duration responses (sustained fear or ‘anxiety’). We also review findings implicating the stress-related peptide corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in sustained but not phasic threat responses, and attempt to integrate these findings into a neural circuit model which accounts for these and related observations.
doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2009.06.022
PMCID: PMC2783512
PMID: 19595731
anxiety; startle; amygdala; bed nucleus of the stria terminalis; corticotropin releasing factor
Objective: To evaluate the existing evidence on the diagnosis and management of septic arthritis in native joints.
Design: Systematic review.
Data sources: Cochrane Library, Medline, Embase, National Electronic Library for Health, reference lists, national experts.
Review methods: Systematic review of the literature with evaluation of the methodological quality of the selected papers using defined criteria set out by the Clinical Effectiveness and Evaluation Unit of the Royal College of Physicians.
Results: 3291 citations were initially identified. Of these, 189 full text articles were identified for potential selection. Following review of these full text articles, 80 articles were found to fulfil the inclusion criteria and were included in the final list. Conclusions were drawn on the diagnosis, investigation and management of septic arthritis.
Discussion: Little good quality evidence exists to guide the diagnosis and management of septic arthritis. Overall, no investigation is more reliable in the diagnosis of septic arthritis than the opinion of an experienced doctor. Aspiration and culture of synovial fluid is crucial to the diagnosis, but measurement of cell count is unhelpful. Antibiotics are clearly required for a prolonged period, but there are no data to indicate by which route or for how long. Key unanswered questions remain surrounding the medical and surgical management of the infected joint.
doi:10.1136/ard.2006.058909
PMCID: PMC1856038
PMID: 17223664
van der Heijde, D | Da Silva, J C | Dougados, M | Geher, P | van der Horst‐Bruinsma, I | Juanola, X | Olivieri, I | Raeman, F | Settas, L | Sieper, J | Szechinski, J | Walker, D | Boussuge, M‐P | Wajdula, J S | Paolozzi, L | Fatenejad, S
Objective
To compare the efficacy, pharmacokinetics and safety of etanercept 50 mg once weekly with 25 mg twice weekly and placebo in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.
Methods
A 12‐week, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study compared the effects of etanercept 50 mg once weekly, etanercept 25 mg twice weekly and placebo in 356 patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (3:3:1 randomisation, respectively). The primary end point was the proportion of patients achieving a response at week 12 based on the Assessment in Ankylosing Spondylitis Working Group criteria (ASAS 20). The pharmacokinetics of etanercept 50 mg once weekly and 25 mg twice weekly were analysed.
Results
Baseline characteristics and disease activity were similar among the three groups: etanercept 50 mg once weekly, etanercept 25 mg twice weekly and placebo. The percentage of patients discontinuing therapy was 9.0%, 9.3% and 13.7% for the three respective groups. ASAS 20 response at 12 weeks was achieved by 74.2% of patients with etanercept 50 mg once weekly and 71.3% of those with etanercept 25 mg twice weekly, both significantly higher than the percentage of patients taking placebo (37.3%, p<0.001). Percentages of patients with ASAS 5/6 response (70.3%, 72.0% and 27.5%, respectively; p<0.001) and those with ASAS 40 response (58.1%, 53.3% and 21.6%, respectively; p<0.001) followed a similar pattern. Significant improvement (p<0.05) was seen in measures of disease activity, back pain, morning stiffness and C reactive protein levels as early as 2 weeks. Serum etanercept exposure was similar between the etanercept groups. Incidence of treatment‐emergent adverse events, including infections, was similar among all three groups, and no unexpected safety issues were identified.
Conclusions
Patients with ankylosing spondylitis can expect a comparable significant improvement in clinical outcomes with similar safety when treated with etanercept 50 mg once weekly or with 25 mg twice weekly.
doi:10.1136/ard.2006.056747
PMCID: PMC1798458
PMID: 16968715
doi:10.1186/cc8085
PMCID: PMC2776202
Nakamura, Noriko | Gaskins, H. Rex | Collier, Chad T. | Nava, Gerardo M. | Rai, Deshanie | Petschow, Bryon | Russell, W. Michael | Harris, Cheryl | Mackie, Roderick I. | Wampler, Jennifer L. | Walker, D. Carey
Supplementation of infant formulas with prebiotic ingredients continues the effort to mimic functional properties of human milk. In this double-blind, controlled, 28-day study, healthy term infants received control formula (control group; n = 25) or control formula supplemented with polydextrose (PDX) and galactooligosaccharide (GOS) (4 g/liter) (PG4 group; n = 27) or with PDX, GOS, and lactulose (LOS) (either 4 g/liter [PGL4 group; n = 27] or 8 g/liter [PGL8 group; n = 25]). A parallel breast-fed group (BF group) (n = 30) was included. Stool characteristics, formula tolerance, and adverse events were monitored. Fecal bacterial subpopulations were evaluated by culture-based selective enumeration (Enterobacteriaceae), quantitative real-time PCR (Clostridium clusters I, XI, and XIV, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium), and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) (Bifidobacterium). Fecal bacterial community profiles were examined by using 16S rRNA gene PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. The daily stool consistency was significantly softer or looser in the BF group than in all of the groups that received formula. The formulas were well tolerated, and the incidences of adverse events did not differ among feeding groups. Few significant changes in bacterial subpopulations were observed at any time point. The bacterial communities were stable; individual profiles tended to cluster by subject rather than by group. Post hoc analysis, however, demonstrated that the bacterial community profiles for subjects in the BF, PG4, PGL4, and PGL8 groups that first received formula at a younger age were less stable than the profiles for subjects in the same groups that received formula at an older age, but there was no difference for the control group. These data indicate that formulas containing PDX, GOS, and LOS blends are more likely to influence gut microbes when administration is begun in early infancy and justify further investigation of the age-related effects of these blends on fecal microbiota.
doi:10.1128/AEM.02359-07
PMCID: PMC2643592
PMID: 19088307
Objective
Wrist injuries are a common presentation to the emergency department (ED). There are no validated decision rules to help clinicians evaluate paediatric wrist trauma. This study aimed to identify which clinical features are diagnostically useful in deciding the need for a wrist radiograph, and then to develop a clinical decision rule.
Methods
This prospective cohort study was carried out in the ED of Sheffield Children's Hospital. Eligible patients were recruited if presenting within 72 hours following blunt wrist trauma. A standardised data collection form was completed for all patients. The outcome measure was the presence or absence of a fracture. Univariate analysis was performed with the χ2 test. Associated variables (p<0.2) were entered into a multivariate model. Classification and regression tree (CART) analysis was used to derive the clinical decision rule.
Results
In total, 227 patients were recruited and 106 children were diagnosed with fractures (47%). Of 10 clinical features analysed, six were found by univariate analysis to be associated with a fracture. CART analysis identified the presence of radial tenderness, focal swelling, or an abnormal supination/pronation as the best discriminatory features. Cross fold validation of this decision rule had a sensitivity of 99.1% (95% confidence interval 94.8% to 100%) and a specificity of 24.0% (17.2% to 32.3%). The radiography rate would be 87%.
Conclusions
Radial tenderness, focal swelling, and abnormal supination/pronation are associated with wrist fractures in children. The clinical decision rule derived from these features had a high sensitivity, but low specificity, and would not substantially alter our current radiography rate. The potential for a clinical decision rule for paediatric wrist trauma appears limited.
doi:10.1136/emj.2005.029249
PMCID: PMC2564082
PMID: 16627835
wrist trauma; paediatrics; decision making; radiographs
Pain, A. | Böhme, U. | Berry, A. E. | Mungall, K. | Finn, R. D. | Jackson, A. P. | Mourier, T. | Mistry, J. | Pasini, E. M. | Aslett, M. A. | Balasubrammaniam, S. | Borgwardt, K. | Brooks, K. | Carret, C. | Carver, T. J. | Cherevach, I. | Chillingworth, T. | Clark, T. G. | Galinski, M. R. | Hall, N. | Harper, D. | Harris, D. | Hauser, H. | Ivens, A. | Janssen, C. S. | Keane, T. | Larke, N. | Lapp, S. | Marti, M. | Moule, S. | Meyer, I. M. | Ormond, D. | Peters, N. | Sanders, M. | Sanders, S. | Sargeant, T. J. | Simmonds, M. | Smith, F. | Squares, R. | Thurston, S. | Tivey, A. R. | Walker, D. | White, B. | Zuiderwijk, E. | Churcher, C. | Quail, M. A. | Cowman, A. F. | Turner, C. M. R. | Rajandream, M. A. | Kocken, C. H. M. | Thomas, A. W. | Newbold, C. I. | Barrell, B. G. | Berriman, M.
Nature
2008;455(7214):799-803.
Plasmodium knowlesi is an intracellular malaria parasite whose natural vertebrate host is Macaca fascicularis (the ‘kra’ monkey); however, it is now increasingly recognized as a significant cause of human malaria, particularly in southeast Asia1,2. Plasmodium knowlesi was the first malaria parasite species in which antigenic variation was demonstrated3, and it has a close phylogenetic relationship to Plasmodium vivax4, the second most important species of human malaria parasite (reviewed in ref. 4). Despite their relatedness, there are important phenotypic differences between them, such as host blood cell preference, absence of a dormant liver stage or ‘hypnozoite’ in P. knowlesi, and length of the asexual cycle (reviewed in ref. 4). Here we present an analysis of the P. knowlesi (H strain, Pk1(A+) clone5) nuclear genome sequence. This is the first monkey malaria parasite genome to be described, and it provides an opportunity for comparison with the recently completed P. vivax genome4 and other sequenced Plasmodium genomes6-8. In contrast to other Plasmodium genomes, putative variant antigen families are dispersed throughout the genome and are associated with intrachromosomal telomere repeats. One of these families, the KIRs9, contains sequences that collectively match over one-half of the host CD99 extracellular domain, which may represent an unusual form of molecular mimicry.
doi:10.1038/nature07306
PMCID: PMC2656934
PMID: 18843368
doi:10.1136/hrt.2005.067207
PMCID: PMC1769218
PMID: 16287729
Images in cardiology
CD1d-restricted NKT cells are key players in host defense against various microbial infections. Using a murine model of fatal ehrlichiosis, we investigated the role of CD1d-restricted NKT cells in induction of toxic shock-like syndrome caused by gram-negative, lipopolysaccharide-lacking, monocytotropic Ehrlichia. Our previous studies showed that intraperitoneal infection of wild-type (WT) mice with virulent Ehrlichia (Ixodes ovatus Ehrlichia [IOE]) results in CD8+ T-cell-mediated fatal toxic shock-like syndrome marked by apoptosis of CD4+ T cells, a weak CD4+ Th1 response, overproduction of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-10, and severe liver injury. Although CD1d−/− mice succumbed to high-dose IOE infection similar to WT mice, they did not develop signs of toxic shock, as shown by elevated bacterial burdens, low serum levels of tumor necrosis factor, normal serum levels of liver enzymes, and the presence of few apoptotic hepatic cells. An absence of NKT cells restored the percentages and absolute numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and CD11b+ cells in the spleen compared to WT mice and was also associated with decreased expression of Fas on splenic CD4+ lymphocytes and granzyme B in hepatic CD8+ lymphocytes. Furthermore, our data show that NKT cells promote apoptosis of macrophages and up-regulation of the costimulatory molecule CD40 on antigen-presenting cells, including dendritic cells, B cells, and macrophages, which may contribute to the induction of pathogenic T-cell responses. In conclusion, our data suggest that NKT cells mediate Ehrlichia-induced T-cell-mediated toxic shock-like syndrome, most likely via cognate and noncognate interactions with antigen-presenting cells.
doi:10.1128/IAI.01242-07
PMCID: PMC2292873
PMID: 18212072
Hulse-Post, D. J. | Franks, J. | Boyd, K. | Salomon, R. | Hoffmann, E. | Yen, H. L. | Webby, R. J. | Walker, D. | Nguyen, T. D. | Webster, R. G.
The highly pathogenic (HP) influenza viruses H5 and H7 are usually nonpathogenic in mallard ducks. However, the currently circulating HP H5N1 viruses acquired a different phenotype and are able to cause mortality in mallards. To establish the molecular basis of this phenotype, we cloned the human A/Vietnam/1203/04 (H5N1) influenza virus isolate that is highly pathogenic in ferrets, mice, and mallards and found it to be a heterogeneous mixture. Large-plaque isolates were highly pathogenic to ducks, mice, and ferrets, whereas small-plaque isolates were nonpathogenic in these species. Sequence analysis of the entire genome revealed that the small-plaque and the large-plaque isolates differed in the coding of five amino acids. There were two differences in the hemagglutinin (HA) gene (K52T and A544V), one in the PA gene (T515A), and two in the PB1 gene (K207R and Y436H). We inserted the amino acid changes into the wild-type reverse genetic virus construct to assess their effects on pathogenicity in vivo. The HA gene mutations and the PB1 gene K207R mutation did not alter the HP phenotype of the large-plaque virus, whereas constructs with the PA (T515A) and PB1 (Y436H) gene mutations were nonpathogenic in orally inoculated ducks. The PB1 (Y436H) construct was not efficiently transmitted in ducks, whereas the PA (T515A) construct replicated as well as the wild-type virus did and was transmitted efficiently. These results show that the PA and PB1 genes of HP H5N1 influenza viruses are associated with lethality in ducks. The mechanisms of lethality and the perpetuation of this lethal phenotype in ducks in nature remain to be determined.
doi:10.1128/JVI.00435-07
PMCID: PMC1951362
PMID: 17553873
Mavromatis, K. | Doyle, C. Kuyler | Lykidis, A. | Ivanova, N. | Francino, M. P. | Chain, P. | Shin, M. | Malfatti, S. | Larimer, F. | Copeland, A. | Detter, J. C. | Land, M. | Richardson, P. M. | Yu, X. J. | Walker, D. H. | McBride, J. W. | Kyrpides, N. C.
Ehrlichia canis, a small obligately intracellular, tick-transmitted, gram-negative, α-proteobacterium, is the primary etiologic agent of globally distributed canine monocytic ehrlichiosis. Complete genome sequencing revealed that the E. canis genome consists of a single circular chromosome of 1,315,030 bp predicted to encode 925 proteins, 40 stable RNA species, 17 putative pseudogenes, and a substantial proportion of noncoding sequence (27%). Interesting genome features include a large set of proteins with transmembrane helices and/or signal sequences and a unique serine-threonine bias associated with the potential for O glycosylation that was prominent in proteins associated with pathogen-host interactions. Furthermore, two paralogous protein families associated with immune evasion were identified, one of which contains poly(G-C) tracts, suggesting that they may play a role in phase variation and facilitation of persistent infections. Genes associated with pathogen-host interactions were identified, including a small group encoding proteins (n = 12) with tandem repeats and another group encoding proteins with eukaryote-like ankyrin domains (n = 7).
doi:10.1128/JB.01837-05
PMCID: PMC1482910
PMID: 16707693
doi:10.1136/bjsm.37.4.358
PMCID: PMC1724686
PMID: 12893726
doi:10.1098/rstb.2003.1419
PMCID: PMC1693316
Heart
2002;88(Suppl 2):ii23-ii27.
doi:10.1136/heart.88.suppl_2.ii23
PMCID: PMC1876269
PMID: 12213796
Abstract
Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) persistently infected (PI) calves represent significant sources of infection to susceptible cattle. The objectives of this study were to determine if PI calves transmitted infection to vaccinated and unvaccinated calves, to determine if BVDV vaccine strains could be differentiated from the PI field strains by subtyping molecular techniques, and if there were different rates of recovery from peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) versus serums for acutely infected calves. Calves PI with BVDV1b were placed in pens with nonvaccinated and vaccinated calves for 35 d. Peripheral blood leukocytes, serums, and nasal swabs were collected for viral isolation and serology. In addition, transmission of Bovine herpes virus 1 (BHV-1), Parainfluenza-3 virus (PI-3V), and Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) was monitored during the 35 d observation period.
Bovine viral diarrhea virus subtype 1b was transmitted to both vaccinated and nonvaccinated calves, including BVDV1b seronegative and seropositive calves, after exposure to PI calves. There was evidence of transmission by viral isolation from PBL, nasal swabs, or both, and seroconversions to BVDV1b. For the unvaccinated calves, 83.2% seroconverted to BVDV1b. The high level of transmission by PI calves is illustrated by seroconversion rates of nonvaccinated calves in individual pens: 70% to 100% seroconversion to the BVDV1b. Bovine viral diarrhea virus was isolated from 45 out of 202 calves in this study. These included BVDV1b in ranch and order buyer (OB) calves, plus BVDV strains identified as vaccinal strains that were in modified live virus (MLV) vaccines given to half the OB calves 3 d prior to the study. The BVDV1b isolates in exposed calves were detected between collection days 7 and 21 after exposure to PI calves. Bovine viral diarrhea virus was recovered more frequently from PBL than serum in acutely infected calves. Bovine viral diarrhea virus was also isolated from the lungs of 2 of 7 calves that were dying with pulmonary lesions. Two of the calves dying with pneumonic lesions in the study had been BVDV1b viremic prior to death. Bovine viral diarrhea virus 1b was isolated from both calves that received the killed or MLV vaccines. There were cytopathic (CP) strains isolated from MLV vaccinated calves during the same time frame as the BVDV1b isolations. These viruses were typed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and genetic sequencing, and most CP were confirmed as vaccinal origin. A BVDV2 NCP strain was found in only 1 OB calf, on multiple collections, and the calf seroconverted to BVDV2. This virus was not identical to the BVDV2 CP 296 vaccine strain. The use of subtyping is required to differentiate vaccinal strains from the field strains. This study detected 2 different vaccine strains, the BVDV1b in PI calves and infected contact calves, and a heterologous BVDV2 subtype brought in as an acutely infected calf. The MLV vaccination, with BVDV1a and BVDV2 components, administered 3 d prior to exposure to PI calves did not protect 100% against BVDV1b viremias or nasal shedding. There were other agents associated with the bovine respiratory disease signs and lesions in this study including Mannheimia haemolytica, Mycoplasma spp., PI-3V, BRSV, and BHV-1.
PMCID: PMC1176294
PMID: 16187545
doi:10.1136/emj.19.5.466
PMCID: PMC1725978
PMID: 12205013