Duplex nested-PCR for detection of small ruminant lentiviruses

Abstract Small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLV) have high genetic variability which results in different viral strains around the world. This create a challenge to design sensible primers for molecular diagnosis in different regions. This work proposes a protocol of duplex nested-PCR for the precise diagnosis of SRLV. The technique was designed and tested with the control strains CAEV Co and MVV 1514. Then, field strains were submitted to the same protocol of duplex nested-PCR. Blood samples of sheep and goats were tested with AGID and nested PCR with specific primers for pol, gag and LTR. The AGID results showed low detection capacity of positive animals, while the nested PCR demonstrated a greater capacity of virus detection. Results demonstrated that LTR-PCR was more efficient in detecting positive sheep samples, whereas gag-PCR allowed a good detection of samples of positive goats and positive sheep. In addition, pol-PCR was more efficient with goat samples than for sheep. Duplex nested PCR performed with standard virus samples and field strains demonstrated that the technique is more efficient for the detection of multiple pro-viral DNA sequences. This study demonstrated a successful duplex nested PCR assay allowing a more accurate diagnosis of SRLV.

Isolation, culture and characterization of multipotent mesenchymal stem cells from goat umbilical cord blood

ABSTRACT: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) reside in small numbers in many adult tissues and organs, and play an active role in the homeostasis of these sites. Goat derived multipotent MSC have been established from bone marrow, adipose tissues and amniotic fluid. Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is considered an important source of these cells. However, the MSC isolation from the goat UCB has not been demonstrated. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to isolate, culture and characterize goat umbilical cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cells. MSC were isolated from UCB by Ficoll-Paque density centrifugation and cultured in DMEM supplemented with 10% or 20% FBS. FACS analysis was performed and induction lineage differentiation was made to characterize these cells. They exhibited two different populations in flow cytometry, and revealed the positive expression of CD90, CD44 and CD105, but negative staining for CD34 in larger cells, and positive stained for CD90 and CD105, but negative for CD44 and CD34 in the smaller cells. MSC from goat UCB showed capability to differentiate into chondrocytes and osteoblasts when incubated with specific differentiation medium. Present study established that goat mesenchymal stem cells can be derived successfully from umbilical cord blood.

RESUMO: As células tronco mesenquimais (MSC) residem em pequenas quantidades em muitos tecidos e órgãos adultos, desempenhando um papel ativo na homeostase destes locais. O isolamento de MSC já foi demonstrado em amostras de medula óssea, tecido adiposo e fluido amniótico de cabras. O sangue de cordão umbilical é considerado uma fonte importante desse tipo de células. No entanto, até o presente momento, não foi demonstrado o isolamento de MSC provenientes do sangue de cordão umbilical de cabras. Dessa forma, o objetivo do presente estudo foi isolar, cultivar e caracterizar células tronco mesenquimais provenientes do sangue do cordão umbilical caprino. As MSC foram isoladas utilizando o gradiente de densidade Ficoll-Paque e cultivadas em DMEM suplementado com 10% ou 20% de FBS. A caracterização desse tipo celular foi realizada através de análise por citometria de fluxo e diferenciação em linhagens celulares mesodermais. A analise no citômetro de fluxo demonstrou a presença de duas populações distintas, um grupo com células maiores e outro com células menores; observando expressão positiva de CD90, CD44 e CD105, e negativa para CD34 nas células maiores; enquanto que as menores foram positivas para CD90 e CD105, mas negativas para CD44 e CD34. As células isoladas demonstraram capacidade de se diferenciar em condrócitos e osteoblastos quando incubadas com meio de diferenciação específico. O presente estudo demonstrou que células tronco mesenquimais podem ser obtidas com sucesso do sangue do cordão umbilical caprino.

Molecular characterization of the Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis hsp60-hsp10 operon, and evaluation of the immune response and protective efficacy induced by hsp60 DNA vaccination in mice.

BACKGROUND: Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are important candidates for the development of vaccines because they are usually able to promote both humoral and cellular immune responses in mammals. We identified and characterized the hsp60-hsp10 bicistronic operon of the animal pathogen Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, a Gram-positive bacterium of the class Actinobacteria, which causes caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) in small ruminants. FINDINGS: To construct the DNA vaccine, the hsp60 gene of C. pseudotuberculosis was cloned in a mammalian expression vector. BALB/c mice were immunized by intramuscular injection with the recombinant plasmid (pVAX1/hsp60). CONCLUSION: This vaccination induced significant anti-hsp60 IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a isotype production. However, immunization with this DNA vaccine did not confer protective immunity.