Hemolysin Co-regulated Family Proteins Hcp1 and Hcp2 Contribute to Edwardsiella ictaluri Pathogenesis.

Edwardsiella ictaluri is a Gram-negative facultative intracellular pathogen causing enteric septicemia of catfish (ESC), a devastating disease resulting in significant economic losses in the U.S. catfish industry. Bacterial secretion systems are involved in many bacteria's virulence, and Type VI Secretion System (T6SS) is a critical apparatus utilized by several pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria. E. ictaluri strain 93-146 genome has a complete T6SS operon with 16 genes, but the roles of these genes are still not explored. In this research, we aimed to understand the roles of two hemolysin co-regulated family proteins, Hcp1 (EvpC) and Hcp2. To achieve this goal, single and double E. ictaluri mutants (EiΔevpC, EiΔhcp2, and EiΔevpCΔhcp2) were generated and characterized. Catfish peritoneal macrophages were able to kill EiΔhcp2 better than EiΔevpC, EiΔevpCΔhcp2, and E. ictaluri wild-type (EiWT). The attachment of EiΔhcp2 and EiΔevpCΔhcp2 to ovary cells significantly decreased compared to EiWT whereas the cell invasion rates of these mutants were the same as that of EiWT. Mutants exposed to normal catfish serum in vitro showed serum resistance. The fish challenges demonstrated that EiΔevpC and EiΔevpCΔhcp2 were attenuated completely and provided excellent protection against EiWT infection in catfish fingerlings. Interestingly, EiΔhcp2 caused higher mortality than that of EiWT in catfish fingerlings, and severe clinical signs were observed. Although fry were more susceptible to vaccination with EiΔevpC and EiΔevpCΔhcp2, their attenuation and protection were significantly higher compared to EiWT and sham groups, respectively. Taken together, our data indicated that evpC (hcp1) is involved in E. ictaluri virulence in catfish while hcp2 is involved in adhesion to epithelial cells and survival inside catfish macrophages.

Adaptive immune responses in channel catfish exposed to Edwardsiella ictaluri live attenuated vaccine and wild type strains through the specific gene expression profiles.

We extend the previous findings on the differential activity of immune-related genes in the lymphoid organs of channel catfish in the 7 days post-challenge (dpc) with E. ictaluri live attenuated vaccines (LAVs) and wild type (WT) strains by assessing the expression of these genes in the 21 dpc. The expression of T and B cell-specific genes were significantly elevated in the spleen at 14 dpc and in the AK at 21 dpc in catfish treated with E. ictaluri WT and LAV strains compared to a non-treated control group. The gene expression of IFN-γ correlated with adaptive immunity genes in the lymphoid tissues of catfish. These data indicate that two novel LAVs were able to trigger the activation of T helper1 polarization cytokine IFN-γ gene and specific lymphocyte genes in the spleen followed by their activation in the AK of catfish without causing inflammation, thus providing protective immunity in E. ictaluri infection.

Live attenuated Edwardsiella ictaluri vaccines enhance the protective innate immune responses of channel catfish B cells.

Edwardsiella ictaluri causes enteric septicemia of catfish. Our group developed two E. ictaluri live attenuated vaccines (LAVs). However, their effects on the innate functions of catfish B cells are still unexplored. We evaluated phagocytosis and killing of wild-type (WT) E. ictaluri opsonized with sera from vaccinated fish and the survival of B cells exposed to E. ictaluri strains. We assessed phagocytosis of the opsonized WT at 30 °C and 4 °C. B cells killed the internalized E. ictaluri opsonized with sera from vaccinated fish with LAVs more efficiently than other groups at 30 °C. However, catfish B cells were unable to destroy E. ictaluri at 4 °C. Furthermore, E. ictaluri opsonized with serum from fish exposed to WT induce apoptosis and decreased live B cells numbers. Results indicate that opsonization of E. ictaluri with sera from vaccinated fish enhanced phagocytosis and killing activity in B cells and inhibited apoptotic changes in the infected B cells.

Edwardsiella ictaluri evpP is required for colonisation of channel catfish ovary cells and necrosis in anterior kidney macrophages.

Edwardsiella ictaluri is a Gram-negative facultative anaerobe that can survive inside channel catfish phagocytes. E. ictaluri can orchestrate Type VI Secretion System (T6SS) for survival in catfish macrophages. evpP encodes one of the T6SS translocated effector proteins. However, the role of evpP in E. ictaluri is still unexplored. In this work, we constructed an E. ictaluri evpP mutant (EiΔevpP) and assessed its survival under complement and oxidative stress. Persistence of EiΔevpP in catfish as well as attachment and invasion in catfish macrophage and ovary cells were determined. Further, virulence of EiΔevpP in catfish and apoptosis it caused in macrophages were explored. EiΔevpP behaved same as wild type (EiWT) under complement and oxidative stress in complex media, whereas oxidative stress affected mutant's survival significantly in minimal media (p < .05). Persistence of EiΔevpP in live catfish and uptake and survival inside peritoneal macrophages were similar. The attachment and invasion capabilities of EiΔevpP in catfish ovary cells were significantly less than that of EiWT (p < .05). Although EiΔevpP showed reduced attenuation in catfish, causing decreased catfish mortality compared with EiWT (44.73% vs. 67.53%), this difference was not significant. The apoptosis assay using anterior kidney macrophages indicated that the number of live macrophages exposed to EiΔevpP was significantly higher compared with EiWT exposed macrophages at 24-hr post-treatment (p < .05). However, there were no significant differences in the early and late apoptosis. Remarkably, necrosis in EiΔevpP exposed macrophages was significantly less than that of EiWT exposed macrophages at 24 hr (p < .05). Our results demonstrated that evpP is required for colonisation of catfish ovary cells and increased apoptosis and necrosis in anterior kidney macrophages.

Effects of Live Attenuated Vaccine and Wild Type Strains of Edwardsiella ictaluri on Phagocytosis, Bacterial Killing, and Survival of Catfish B Cells.

Edwardsiella ictaluri, a Gram-negative facultative intracellular pathogen, is the causative agent of enteric septicemia of catfish (ESC). The innate functions of B cells have been demonstrated in several teleost fish, including zebrafish, rainbow trout, and channel catfish. Recently, our group has developed several protective E. ictaluri live attenuated vaccines (LAVs). However, the innate role of catfish B cells to phagocytose and destroy E. ictaluri wild-type (WT) and live attenuated vaccine (LAV) strains has not been evaluated. In this study, we assessed the efficacy of E. ictaluri WT and two LAVs on phagocytosis, microbial killing, and survival of catfish anterior kidney (AK) B cells. Initially, we documented active uptake of E. ictaluri WT and two LAVs in B cells by flow cytometry and light microscopy. Then, we observed the E. ictaluri strains-induced phagosome and/or phagolysosome formation in the cytoplasm of catfish magnetically sorted IgM+ B cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that AK B cells were able to destroy the internalized E. ictaluri WT and LAV strains efficiently. Finally, we documented early and late apoptotic/necrotic manifestations induced by E. ictaluri in catfish AK B cells. In conclusion, our results suggest that both LAVs and WT strain initiate similar innate immune responses such as active phagocytic uptake, induced bactericidal activity as well as promote early and late apoptotic changes in catfish B cells. Our data suggest that phagocytic and microbicidal B cells may serve as professional APCs in initiation of protective adaptive immune responses against ESC in channel catfish.

Assessment of the Live Attenuated and Wild-Type Edwardsiella ictaluri-Induced Immune Gene Expression and Langerhans-Like Cell Profiles in the Immune-Related Organs of Catfish.

Edwardsiella ictaluri is a Gram-negative intracellular pathogen that causes enteric septicemia of catfish (ESC). Successful vaccination against intracellular pathogens requires T cell priming by antigen presenting cells (APCs) that bridge innate and adaptive immunity. However, the evidence on immunological mechanisms that underscore E. ictaluri pathogenesis and the protective role of live attenuated vaccines (LAVs) is scarce. We assessed the expression of immune genes related to antigen presentation by real-time PCR and the distribution patterns of Langerhans-like (L/CD207+) cells by immunohistochemistry in the immune-related tissues of channel catfish challenged with two novel E. ictaluri LAVs, EiΔevpB, and ESC-NDKL1 and wild type (WT) strain. Our results indicated significantly elevated expression of IFN-γ gene in the anterior kidney (AK) and spleen of vaccinated catfish at the early stages of exposure, which correlated with increased numbers of L/CD207+ cells. In general, the ESC-NDKL1-induced IFN-γ gene expression patterns in the AK resembled that of the patterns induced by EiΔevpB. However the MHCII gene expression patterns differed between the strains with significant increases at 6 h post-challenge (pc) with the EiΔevpB and at 7 d pc with the ESC-NDKL1 strains, respectively. Significant increases in activity of T helper type polarization genes such as IFN-γ and T cell co-receptors after exposure to ESC-NDKL1, in combination with elevated numbers of L/CD207+ cells at 7 d pc with both LAVs compared to uninfected and the WT-exposed counterparts, were documented in the spleen. The dominant pro-inflammatory environment with dramatically overexpressed inflammatory genes in the AK and 7 d pc in the spleen in response to E. ictaluri was found in exposed catfish. In general, the pro-inflammatory gene expression profiles in the ESC-NDKL1 pc showed more similarities to the WT strain-induced gene profiles compared to the EiΔevpB counterpart. In addition, E. ictaluri WT significantly decreased the numbers of Langerhans-like L/CD207+ cells in the AK and spleen at 3 and 7 days pc. In conclusion, we report the differential framework of initiation of innate and adaptive immune responses between E. ictaluri strains with both LAVs having a potential of satisfying the stringent requirements for successful vaccines.

Phagocytic and Bactericidal Properties of Channel Catfish Peritoneal Macrophages Exposed to Edwardsiella ictaluri Live Attenuated Vaccine and Wild-Type Strains.

Edwardsiella ictaluri (E. ictaluri), a Gram-negative, intracellular, facultative bacterium, is the causative agent of enteric septicemia of catfish (ESC), which is one of the most significant diseases of farmed channel catfish. Macrophages have a critical role in major defense mechanisms against bacterial infections by migrating to the site of infection, engulfing and killing pathogens, and priming adaptive immune responses. Vaccination of catfish with E. ictaluri live attenuated vaccine (LAV) strains increased the efficiency of phagocytosis and bacterial killing in catfish peritoneal macrophages compared in vitro with macrophages from non-vaccinated fish. Recently, our group developed several protective LAV strains from E. ictaluri. However, their effects on the antigen uptake and bacterial killing in catfish macrophages have not been evaluated. In this study, we assessed the phagocytic and bactericidal activity of peritoneal macrophages in the uptake of E. ictaluri wild-type (WT) and two LAV strains. We found that phagocytosis of LAV strains was significantly higher compared to their WT counterpart in peritoneal macrophages. Moreover, the uptake of E. ictaluri opsonized with sera from vaccinated catfish was more efficient than when opsonized with sera from sham-vaccinated fish. Notably, catfish macrophages did not lose their phagocytic properties at 4°C, as described previously in mammalian and zebrafish models. Also, opsonization of E. ictaluri with inactivated sera from vaccinated and sham-vaccinated catfish decreased significantly phagocytic uptake of bacteria at 32°C, and virtually suppressed endocytosis at 4°C, suggesting the important role of complement-dependent mechanisms in catfish macrophage phagocytosis. In conclusion, our data on enhanced phagocytic capacity and effective killing ability in macrophages of vaccine strains suggested the LAVs' advantage if processed and presented in the form of peptides to specific lymphocytes of an adaptive immune system and emphasize the importance of macrophage-mediated immunity against ESC. Furthermore, we showed the role of complement-dependent mechanisms in the phagocytic uptakes of E. ictaluri in catfish peritoneal macrophages at 4 and 32°C. Finally, LAV vaccine-induced bacterial phagocytosis and killing properties of peritoneal macrophages emphasized the importance of the innate immune responses in ESC.

Identification of Langerhans-like cells in the immunocompetent tissues of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most powerful antigen presenting cells (APCs) that have a critical role in bridging innate and adaptive immune responses in vertebrates. Dendritic cells have been characterized morphologically and functionally in the teleost fish models such as rainbow trout, salmonids, medaka, and zebrafish. The presence of DCs with remarkable similarities to human Langerhans cells (LCs) has been described in the spleen and anterior kidney of salmonids and rainbow trout. However, there is no evidence of the presence of DCs and their role in channel catfish immunity. In this study, we assessed DC-like cells in the immunocompetent tissues of channel catfish by immunohistochemistry (IHC), flow cytometry and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We identified Langerin/CD207+ (L/CD207+) cells in the channel catfish anterior kidney, spleen and gill by IHC. Moreover, we described the cells that resembled mammal LC DCs containing Birbeck-like (BL) granules in channel catfish spleen, anterior and posterior kidneys and gill by TEM. Our data suggest that cells with DC-like morphology in the immune related organs of catfish may share morphological and functional properties with previously reported DCs in teleost fish and mammals. More detailed knowledge of the phenotype and the function of catfish DCs will not only help gain insight into the evolution of the vertebrate adaptive immune system but will also provide valuable information for development and optimization of immunotherapies and vaccination protocols for aquaculture use.

EFFECT OF LIPOSOMAL CLODRONATE-DEPENDENT DEPLETION OF PROFESSIONAL ANTIGEN PRESENTING CELLS ON NUMBERS AND PHENOTYPE OF CANINE CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ REGULATORY T CELLS.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are known to control autoreactivity during and subsequent to the development of the peripheral immune system. Professional antigen presenting cells (APCs), dendritic cells (DCs) and monocytes, have an important role in inducing Tregs. For the first time, this study evaluated proportions and phenotypes of Tregs in canine peripheral blood depleted of professional APCs, utilizing liposomal clodronate (LC) and multicolor flow cytometry analysis. Our results demonstrate that LC exposure promoted short term decreases followed by significant increases in the proportions or absolute numbers of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Tregs in dogs. In general, the LC-dependent Treg fluctuations were similar to the changes in the levels of CD14+ monocytes in Walker hounds. However, the proportions of monocytes showed more dramatic changes compared to the proportions of Tregs that were visually unchanged after LC treatment over the study period. At the same time, absolute Treg numbers showed, similarly to the levels of CD14+ monocytes, significant compensatory gains as well as the recovery during the normalization period. We confirm the previous data that CD4+ T cells with the highest CD25 expression were highly enriched for FOXP3. Furthermore, for the first time, we report that CD4+CD25lowFOXP3+ is the major regulatory T cell subset affected by LC exposure. The increases within the lowest CD25 expressers of CD4+FOXP3+ cells together with compensatory gains in the proportion of CD14+ monocytes during compensatory and normalization periods suggest the possible direct or indirect roles of monocytes in active recruitment and generation of Tregs from naïve CD4+ T cells.

NEGATIVE REGULATORY EFFECTS OF PHOSPHATIDYLINOSITOL3-KINASE PATHWAY ON PHAGOCYTOSIS AND MACROPINOCYTOSIS IN BOVINE MONOCYTES.

Recent studies have shown that monocytes and macrophages not only present antigens to effector T cells and stimulate and shape T cell-mediated immune responses, but they also prime naïve T cells, thus initiating adaptive immune responses. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase functions at an early phase of toll-like receptor signaling pathways, modulates the magnitude of the primary immune responses, and is involved in the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton during macropinocytic and phagocytic antigen uptakes, important early steps in triggering adaptive immune responses. We assessed by flow cytometry the endocytic capacities of bovine monocytes by using endocytic tracers and Salmonella transformed with a green fluorescence plasmid GFP to evaluate macropinocytosis, mannose receptor-mediated endocytosis, and phagocytosis in bovine professional antigen presenting cells, respectively. Our data reveal that wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling pathway, significantly increased macropinocytosis and phagocytosis but did not affect the mannose receptor-mediated antigen uptake in bovine monocytes. Protein expression data support these findings by showing decreased levels of phosphoinositide 3-kinase in the presence of wortmannin during macropinocytosis. We expanded further the key role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase as an endogenous suppressor of primary immune responses, suggesting a novel mechanism of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase antigen uptake modulation that may provide a unique therapeutic target for controlling excessive inflammation.

Effects of carprofen, meloxicam and deracoxib on platelet function in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine effects of anti-inflammatory doses of COX-2 selective NSAIDs carprofen, meloxicam, and deracoxib on platelet function in dogs and urine 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, blocked, crossover design with a 14-day washout period. ANIMALS: Healthy intact female Walker Hounds aged 1-6 years and weighing 20.5-24.2 kg. METHODS: Dogs were given NSAIDs for 7 days at recommended doses: carprofen (2.2 mg kg(-1), PO, every 12 hours), carprofen (4.4 mg kg(-1), PO, every 24 hours), meloxicam (0.2 mg kg(-1), PO, on the 1st day then 0.1 mg kg(-1), PO, every 24 hours), and deracoxib (2 mg kg(-1), PO, every 24 hours). Collagen/epinephrine and collagen/ADP PFA-100 cartridges were used to evaluate platelet function before and during and every other day after administration of each drug. Urine 11-dehydro-thromboxane B(2) was also measured before and during administration of each drug. RESULTS: All NSAIDs significantly prolonged PFA-100 closure times when measured with collagen/epinephrine cartridges, but not with collagen/ADP cartridges. The average duration from drug cessation until return of closure times (collagen/epinephrine cartridges) to baseline values was 11.6, 10.6, 11 and 10.6 days for carprofen (2.2 mg kg(-1) every 12 hours), carprofen (4.4 mg kg(-1) every 24 hours), meloxicam and deracoxib, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Oral administration of some COX-2 selective NSAIDs causes detectable alterations in platelet function in dogs. As in humans, PFA-100 collagen/ADP cartridges do not reliably detect COX-mediated platelet dysfunction in dogs. Individual assessment of platelet function is advised when administering these drugs prior to surgery, particularly in the presence of other risk factors for bleeding.

Early gene response of human brain microvascular endothelial cells to Listeria monocytogenes infection.

The gene expression of human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC) in response to 4 h of infection by Listeria monocytogenes was analyzed. Four hours after infection, the expression of 456 genes of HBMEC had changed (p < 0.05). We noted that many active genes were involved in the formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine pathway in infected HBMEC. In the upregulated genes, mRNA levels of interleukin-8 and interleukin-15 in infected cells increased according to microarray and real-time reverse transcription - PCR analyses. Since both cytokines are regarded as potent chemotactic factors, the results suggest that HBMEC are capable of recruiting cells of innate and adaptive immune responses during early L. monocytogenes infection.

Analysis of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Viruses-infected monocytes: identification of cytopathic and non-cytopathic biotype differences.

BACKGROUND: Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) infection is widespread in cattle worldwide, causing important economic losses. Pathogenesis of the disease caused by BVDV is complex, as each BVDV strain has two biotypes: non-cytopathic (ncp) and cytopathic (cp). BVDV can cause a persistent latent infection and immune suppression if animals are infected with an ncp biotype during early gestation, followed by a subsequent infection of the cp biotype. The molecular mechanisms that underscore the complex disease etiology leading to immune suppression in cattle caused by BVDV are not well understood. RESULTS: Using proteomics, we evaluated the effect of cp and ncp BVDV infection of bovine monocytes to determine their role in viral immune suppression and uncontrolled inflammation. Proteins were isolated by differential detergent fractionation and identified by 2D-LC ESI MS/MS. We identified 137 and 228 significantly altered bovine proteins due to ncp and cp BVDV infection, respectively. Functional analysis of these proteins using the Gene Ontology (GO) showed multiple under- and over- represented GO functions in molecular function, biological process and cellular component between the two BVDV biotypes. Analysis of the top immunological pathways affected by BVDV infection revealed that pathways representing macropinocytosis signalling, virus entry via endocytic pathway, integrin signalling and primary immunodeficiency signalling were identified only in ncp BVDV-infected monocytes. In contrast, pathways like actin cytoskeleton signalling, RhoA signalling, clathrin-mediated endocytosis signalling and interferon signalling were identified only in cp BDVD-infected cells. Of the six common pathways involved in cp and ncp BVDV infection, acute phase response signalling was the most significant for both BVDV biotypes. Although, most shared altered host proteins between both BVDV biotypes showed the same type of change, integrin alpha 2b (ITGA2B) and integrin beta 3 (ITGB3) were down- regulated by ncp BVDV and up- regulated by cp BVDV infection. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that, as we expected, there are significant functional differences in the host proteins that respond to cp or ncp BVDV infection. The combined use of GO and systems biology network modelling facilitated a better understanding of host-pathogen interactions.

Zebrafish kidney phagocytes utilize macropinocytosis and Ca+-dependent endocytic mechanisms.

BACKGROUND: The innate immune response constitutes the first line of defense against invading pathogens and consists of a variety of immune defense mechanisms including active endocytosis by macrophages and granulocytes. Endocytosis can be used as a reliable measure of selective and non-selective mechanisms of antigen uptake in the early phase of an immune response. Numerous assays have been developed to measure this response in a variety of mammalian and fish species. The small size of the zebrafish has prevented the large-scale collection of monocytes/macrophages and granulocytes for these endocytic assays. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Pooled zebrafish kidney hematopoietic tissues were used as a source of phagocytic cells for flow-cytometry based endocytic assays. FITC-Dextran, Lucifer Yellow and FITC-Edwardsiella ictaluri were used to evaluate selective and non-selective mechanisms of uptake in zebrafish phagocytes. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Zebrafish kidney phagocytes characterized as monocytes/macrophages, neutrophils and lymphocytes utilize macropinocytosis and Ca(2+)-dependant endocytosis mechanisms of antigen uptake. These cells do not appear to utilize a mannose receptor. Heat-killed Edwardsiella ictaluri induces cytoskeletal interactions for internalization in zebrafish kidney monocytes/macrophages and granulocytes. The proposed method is easy to implement and should prove especially useful in immunological, toxicological and epidemiological research.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus infection affects the expression of proteins related to professional antigen presentation in bovine monocytes.

The complete annotation of the cattle genome allows reliable protein identification by tandem mass spectrometry (MS(2)) and greatly facilitates proteomics. Previously, we reported that differential detergent fractionation (DDF) analysis of bovine monocytes reveals proteins related to antigen pattern recognition, uptake and presentation to immunocompetent lymphocytes. Here we have identified 47 bovine proteins, involved in immune function of professional antigen-presenting cells (APC) that have been significantly altered after cytopathic (cp) Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) infection. In particular, proteins related to immune responses such as cell adhesion, apoptosis, antigen uptake, processing and presentation, acute phase response proteins, MHC class I- and II-related proteins and other molecules involved in immune function of professional antigen presentation have been significantly altered after BVDV infection. Our data suggest that cp BVDV, while promoting monocyte activation and differentiation, is inhibiting their antigen presentation to immunocompetent T cells, thus resulting in the uncontrolled inflammation mediated by activated macrophages, enhanced viral spread, and impaired anti-viral defense mechanisms in the host.

Bovine viral diarrhea viruses differentially alter the expression of the protein kinases and related proteins affecting the development of infection and anti-viral mechanisms in bovine monocytes.

Using a proteomics approach, we evaluated the effect of cytopathic (cp), and non-cytopathic (ncp) bovine viral diarrhea viruses (BVDV) on the expression of protein kinases and related proteins in bovine monocytes. Proteins were isolated from membrane and cytosolic fractions with the differential detergent fractionation (DDF) method and identified with 2D-LC ESI MS2. Of approximately 10,000 proteins identified, 378 proteins had homology with known protein kinases or related proteins. Eighteen proteins involved in cell differentiation and activation, migration, anti-viral mechanisms (interferon/apoptosis), biosynthesis, sugar metabolism and oncogenic transformation were significantly altered in BVDV-infected monocytes compared to the uninfected controls. Six proteins, mostly related to cell migration, anti-viral mechanisms, sugar metabolism and possibly tumor resistance were differentially expressed between the ncp and cp BVDV-infected monocytes. Particularly, the expression of the receptor of activated C kinase (RACK), of pyridoxal kinase (PK), diacyglycerol kinase (DGK) and Brutons tyrosine kinase (BTK) was decreased in monocytes infected with cp BVDV compared to ncp BVDV, possibly contributing to the cytopathic effect of the virus. This and other findings are discussed in view of the possible role the identified proteins play in the development of viral infection and oncogenic transformation of cells.

Differential effects of age on circulating and splenic leukocyte populations in C57BL/6 and BALB/c male mice.

BACKGROUND: Despite several reports on age-related phenotypic changes of the immune system's cells, studies that use a multipoint age comparison between the specific and innate immune cell populations of prototypical Th1- and Th2-type polarized mouse strains are still lacking. RESULTS: Using a multipoint age comparison approach, cells from the two major immune system compartments, peripheral blood and spleen, and flow cytometry analysis, we found several principal differences in T cell and professional antigen presenting cell (APC) populations originating from a prototypical T helper (Th) 1 mouse strain, C57BL/6, and a prototypical Th2 strain, BALB/c. For example, regardless of age, there were strain differences in both peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and spleens in the proportion of CD4+ (higher in the BALB/c strain), CD8+ T cells and CD11b+/CD11c+ APC (greater in C57BL/6 mice). Other differences were present only in PBMC (MHC class II + and CD19+ were greater in C57BL/6 mice) or differences were evident in the spleens but not in circulation (CD3+ T cells were greater in C57BL/6 mice). There were populations of cells that increased with age in PBMC and spleens of both strains (MHC class II+), decreased in the periphery and spleens of both strains (CD11b+) or did not change in the PBMC and spleens of both strains (CD8+). We also found strain and age differences in the distribution of naïve and memory/activated splenic T cells, e.g., BALB/c mice had more memory/activated and less naive CD8+ and CD4+ T cells and the C57BL/6 mice. CONCLUSION: Our data provide important information on the principal differences, within the context of age, in T cell and professional APC populations between the prototypical Th1 mouse strain C57BL/6 and the prototypical Th2 strain BALB/c. Although the age-related changes that occur may be rather subtle, they may be very relevant in conditions of disease and stress. Importantly, our data indicate that age and strain should be considered in concert in the selection of appropriate mouse models for immunological research.

In vitro atrazine exposure affects the phenotypic and functional maturation of dendritic cells.

Recent data suggest that some of the immunotoxic effects of the herbicide atrazine, a very widely used pesticide, may be due to perturbations in dendritic cell (DC) function. As consequences of atrazine exposure on the phenotypic and functional maturation of DC have not been studied, our objective was, using the murine DC line, JAWSII, to determine whether atrazine will interfere with DC maturation. First, we characterized the maturation of JAWSII cells in vitro by inducing them to mature in the presence of growth factors and selected maturational stimuli in vitro. Next, we exposed the DC cell line to a concentration range of atrazine and examined its effects on phenotypic and functional maturation of DC. Atrazine exposure interfered with the phenotypic and functional maturation of DC at non-cytotoxic concentrations. Among the phenotypic changes caused by atrazine exposure was a dose-dependent removal of surface MHC-I with a significant decrease being observed at 1 microM concentration. In addition, atrazine exposure decreased the expression of the costimulatory molecule CD86 and it downregulated the expression of the CD11b and CD11c accessory molecules and the myeloid developmental marker CD14. When, for comparative purposes, we exposed primary thymic DC to atrazine, MHC-I and CD11c expression was also decreased. Phenotypic changes in JAWSII DC maturation were associated with functional inhibition of maturation as, albeit at higher concentrations, receptor-mediated antigen uptake was increased by atrazine. Thus, our data suggest that atrazine directly targets DC maturation and that toxicants such as atrazine that efficiently remove MHC-I molecules from the DC surface are likely to contribute to immune evasion.

Characteristics of cell-mediated, anti-listerial immunity induced by a naturally avirulent Listeria monocytogenes serotype 4a strain HCC23.

The characteristics of cell-mediated, anti-listerial immune response initiated by an avirulent Listeria monocytogenes serotype 4a strain HCC23 was assessed. Similar to virulent strain EGD, avirulent strain HCC23 grew readily within macrophage-like J774 cells, but nonhemolytic strain ATCC 15313 did not. Compared with EGD, HCC23 induced a relatively low level of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) in mice, and ATCC 15313 stimulated no detectable IFN-gamma. The percentages of gated CD4 T cells from mice immunized with EGD and HCC23 showed a notable drop (to 30%) at 21 days post exposure in comparison with that (about 50%) from ATCC 15313-injected or untreated mice; and the percentage of gated NK cells from EGD-immunized group was markedly higher than those from other treatment groups. Mice immunized with HCC23 and EGD developed an equally strong protective immunity against listeriosis that was effective in both short and long terms, but those injected with ATCC 15313 or saline succumbed to listeriosis within 6 days of challenge.

Immunotoxic effects of short-term atrazine exposure in young male C57BL/6 mice.

The herbicide atrazine (ATR) is a very widely used pesticide; yet the immunotoxicological potential of ATR has not been studied extensively. Our objective was to examine the effect of ATR on selected immune parameters in juvenile mice. ATR (up to 250 mg/kg) was administered by oral gavage for 14 days to one-month-old male C57BL/6 mice. One day, one week, and seven weeks after the last ATR dose, mice were sacrificed, and blood, spleens, and thymuses were collected and processed for cell counting and flow cytometry. Thymus and spleen weights were decreased by ATR, with the thymus being more sensitive than the spleen; this effect was still present at seven days, but not at seven weeks after the last ATR dose. Similarly, organ cellularity was persistently decreased in the thymus and in the spleen, with the splenic, but not thymic cellularity still being depressed at seven weeks post ATR. Peripheral blood leukocyte counts were not affected by ATR. There were also alterations in the cell phenotypes in that ATR exposure decreased all phenotypes in the thymus, with the number of CD4(+)/CD8(+) being affected the least. At the higher doses, the decreases in the thymic T-cell populations were still present one week after the last ATR dose. In the spleen, the CD8(+) were increased and MHC-II(+) and CD19(+) cells were decreased one day after the last ATR dose. Also, ATR treatment decreased the number of splenic naïve T helper and T cytotoxic cells, whereas it increased the percentage of highly activated cytotoxic/memory T cells. Interestingly, the proportion of mature splenic dendritic cells (DC; CD11c(high)), was also decreased and it persisted for at least one week, suggesting that ATR inhibited DC maturation. In the circulation, ATR exposure decreased CD4(+) lymphocytes at one day, whereas at seven days after the last ATR dose, in addition to the decrease in CD4(+) lymphocytes, the MHC-II(+) cells were also decreased at the 250 mg/kg dose. Thus, ATR exposure appears to be detrimental to the immune system of juvenile mice by decreasing cellularity and affecting lymphocyte distribution, with certain effects persisting long after exposure has been terminated.