In vitro efficacy of povidone iodine and hydroxyethyl cellulose, alone and in combination, against common feline ocular pathogens.

Infectious ocular disease, such as conjunctivitis, is common in cats and can be caused by several viruses and bacteria, either as a single infection or as co-infections. In this study, povidone-iodine (PVP-I), alone or compounded with hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), was investigated for its efficacy against these pathogens in vitro. Whilst PVP-I alone was effective at inhibiting feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1), Chlamydia felis, and Mycoplasma felis, PVP-I with HEC exerted a synergistic inhibitory effect against FHV-1 and C. felis. In contrast, only minimal inhibition of feline calicivirus was observed. These results demonstrate that PVP-I, alone and in combination with HEC, is effective against some feline ocular pathogens when tested in cell lines in vitro. In vivo studies investigating the systemic safety, ocular tolerance, and clinical efficacy of this combination in cats would be necessary before it could be recommended as a therapy in affected cats.

The effects of equine peripheral blood stem cells on cutaneous wound healing: a clinical evaluation in four horses.

Stem-cell therapy represents a promising strategy for the treatment of challenging pathologies, such as large, infected wounds that are unresponsive to conventional therapies. The present study describes the clinical application of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) for the treatment of four adult Warmblood horses with naturally occurring wounds, which were unresponsive to conventional therapies for at least 3 months. A visual assessment was performed, and a number of wound-healing parameters (granulation tissue, crust formation and scar formation) were evaluated. In all cases, tissue overgrowth was visible within 4 weeks after PBSC injection, followed by the formation of crusts and small scars in the centre of the wound, with hair regeneration at the edges. In conclusion, this is the first report of PBSC therapy of skin wounds in horses, and it produced a positive visual and clinical outcome.

Successful isolation of equine mesenchymal stromal cells from cryopreserved umbilical cord blood-derived mononuclear cell fractions.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: The therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stromal cells for cellular therapy has generated increasing interest in human as well as veterinary medicine. Considerable research has been performed on the cryopreservation of expanded mesenchymal stromal cells, but little information is available on the cryopreservation of the original mononuclear cell fraction. OBJECTIVES: The present study describes a protocol to expand equine mesenchymal stromal cells after cryopreserving the mononuclear cells of umbilical cord blood. METHODS: To this end, mononuclear cells were isolated from 7 umbilical cord blood samples and cryopreserved at a concentration of 1-2 × 10(9) cells/l cold freezing solution. Cells were cryopreserved and kept frozen for at least 6 months before thawing. Frozen cryotubes were thawed in a 37°C water bath. Putative equine mesenchymal stromal cells were immunophenotyped using multicolour flow cytometry based on a selected 9 marker panel. RESULTS: Average cell viability upon thawing was 98.7 ± 0.6%. In 6 out of 7 samples, adherent spindle-shaped cell colonies were observed within 9.0 ± 2.6 days and attained 80% confluency at 12.3 ± 3.9 days. After 3 passages, putative equine mesenchymal stromal cells were successfully immunophenotyped as CD29, CD44 and CD90 positive, and CD45, CD73, CD79α, CD105, MHC II and monocyte-marker negative. CONCLUSIONS AND POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Equine mesenchymal stromal cells can be cultured after cryopreservation of the isolated mononuclear cells, a time- as well as cost-efficient approach in equine regenerative medicine.

Equine alphaherpesviruses (EHV-1 and EHV-4) differ in their efficiency to infect mononuclear cells during early steps of infection in nasal mucosal explants.

Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) replicates extensively in the epithelium of the upper respiratory tract, after which it can spread throughout the body via a cell-associated viremia in mononuclear leukocytes reaching the pregnant uterus and central nervous system. In a previous study, we were able to mimic the in vivo situation in an in vitro respiratory mucosal explant system. A plaquewise spread of EHV-1 was observed in the epithelial cells, whereas in the connective tissue below the basement membrane (BM), EHV-1-infected mononuclear leukocytes were noticed. Equine herpesvirus type 4 (EHV-4), a close relative of EHV-1, can also cause mild respiratory disease, but a cell-associated viremia in leukocytes is scarce and secondary symptoms are rarely observed. Based on this striking difference in pathogenicity, we aimed to evaluate how EHV-4 behaves in equine mucosal explants. Upon inoculation of equine mucosal explants with the EHV-4 strains VLS 829, EQ(1) 012 and V01-3-13, replication of EHV-4 in epithelial cells was evidenced by the presence of viral plaques in the epithelium. Interestingly, EHV-4-infected mononuclear leukocytes in the connective tissue below the BM were extremely rare and were only present for one of the three strains. The inefficient capacity of EHV-4 to infect mononuclear cells explains in part the rarity of EHV-4-induced viremia, and subsequently, the rarity of EHV-4-induced abortion or EHM.

Differential gene expression of the toll-like receptor-4 cascade and neutrophil function in early- and mid-lactating dairy cows.

During early lactation, neutrophils display several reduced immune functions. Particularly, a delayed recruitment of neutrophils into the infected udder seems to be one of the underlying events involved in the severity of postpartum Escherichia coli intramammary infections. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of in vitro chemotaxis and diapedesis on the expression of toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4)-related genes in bovine blood neutrophils isolated from 10 early-lactating (EL) and 10 mid-lactating (ML) cows. Functional characterization of the neutrophil population was performed by measuring phagocytosis and production of reactive oxygen species (chemiluminescence). Messenger RNA was extracted from neutrophils, and the expression of TLR4 and associated genes in EL and ML cows was analyzed by reverse-transcription quantitative PCR. To study the effect of chemotaxis and diapedesis on the expression of genes of the TLR4 cascade, neutrophils were stimulated to (trans)migrate in response to C5a using in vitro models. Our salient findings were that both neutrophil migration in vitro and lactation stage induced significant changes in the expression of several genes of the TLR4 signaling cascade. Before migration, expression of TRAF6, ATF3, RELA, IL8, and C5aR were lower in EL than in ML cows. Diapedesis and chemotaxis induced an increase in expression of TLR4, ATF3, and IL8 in both EL and ML cows. Diapedesis resulted in a downregulation of Syk, a TLR4-associated gene, in ML cows. This study shows that the perturbations in neutrophil functions during EL are accompanied by modulation of TLR4 pathway genes. These data can contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms explaining the relationship between stage of lactation and risk of severe E. coli mastitis.

Anaphylatoxin C5a-induced toll-like receptor 4 signaling in bovine neutrophils.

It is well known that signaling in neutrophils through both the complement component 5a (C5a) and C5a receptor (C5aR) and the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathways plays an essential role in innate defense. Neutrophil dysfunction, as seen during sepsis in severe mastitis during the periparturient period, is correlated with elevated concentrations of anaphylatoxin C5a. The aim of the current study was to elucidate the effect of C5a on TLR4 signaling in bovine neutrophils. Neutrophils were incubated with a high (but physiological) dose of purified C5a, and mRNA was extracted from neutrophils at different time points postincubation (PI). The incubation with C5a resulted in a biphasic C5aR expression profile, a phenomenon that might be explained by internalization (at 10 min PI) with subsequent reconstitution (starting at 40 min PI) of this receptor. The expression of TLR4, as well as its coreceptor, CD14, showed a similar biphasic change as observed with C5aR. In addition, changes in the mRNA expression levels of several genes belonging to the TLR4 pathway, such as TICAM-1, IKKα, and MAP3K7 were noted. The maximal expression of TLR4, CD14, and C5aR mRNA at 80 min PI was accompanied by a peak in IL8 mRNA, indicating that C5a is able to induce IL-8 production in neutrophils in vitro without the need of a costimulatory factor such as lipopolysaccharide. Moreover, a relatively constant expression of RELA was accompanied by increased expression of ATF3, an endogenous inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB mediated transcription, implying that C5a regulates TLR4 signaling and IL-8 synthesis independently. A significant time-dependent correlation was found between C5aR and TLR4, with the majority of the selected TLR4-dependent genes showing a significant correlation with C5aR at 80 min PI, when C5aR and TLR4 mRNA expression reached its maximum, suggesting crosstalk between both receptors. Taken together, this study showed that C5a is able to (1) alter the expression of genes belonging to the TLR4 pathway and (2) induce IL8 gene expression in bovine neutrophils. In addition, indications for cross-talk between complement activation and TLR4 signaling were found in the present study.

Replication kinetics of neurovirulent versus non-neurovirulent equine herpesvirus type 1 strains in equine nasal mucosal explants.

Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) is the causative agent of equine herpes myeloencephalopathy, of which outbreaks are reported with increasing frequency throughout North America and Europe. This has resulted in its classification as a potentially emerging disease by the US Department of Agriculture. Recently, it was found that a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the viral DNA polymerase gene (ORF30) at aa 752 (N-->D) is associated with the neurovirulent potential of EHV-1. In the present study, equine respiratory mucosal explants were inoculated with several Belgian isolates typed in their ORF30 as D(752) or N(752), to evaluate a possible difference in replication in the upper respiratory tract. In addition, to evaluate whether any observed differences could be attributed to the SNP associated with neurovirulence, the experiments were repeated with parental Ab4 (reference neurovirulent strain), parental NY03 (reference non-neurovirulent strain) and their N/D revertant recombinant viruses. The salient findings were that EHV-1 spreads plaquewise in the epithelium, but plaques never cross the basement membrane (BM). However, single EHV-1-infected cells could be observed below the BM at 36 h post-inoculation (p.i.) for all N(752) isolates and at 24 h p.i. for all D(752) isolates, and were identified as monocytic cells and T lymphocytes. Interestingly, the number of infected cells was two to five times higher for D(752) isolates compared with N(752) isolates at every time point analysed. Finally, this study showed that equine respiratory explants are a valuable and reproducible model to study EHV-1 neurovirulence in vitro, thereby reducing the need for horses as experimental animals.

Differences in replication kinetics and cell tropism between neurovirulent and non-neurovirulent EHV1 strains during the acute phase of infection in horses.

Equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV1) replicates in the respiratory tract of horses, after which infected leukocytes transport virus throughout the body, resulting in abortion or nervous system disorders. Two EHV1 strains circulate in the field: neurovirulent and non-neurovirulent. To investigate differences in replication in the upper respiratory tract (URT), an experimental inoculation study in ponies was performed with both strains. Two groups of six ponies, were inoculated intranasally with 10(6.5) TCID(50) of either strain. Clinical signs, nasal shedding and viremia were evaluated. At early time points post-inoculation (pi), one pony of each group was euthanized. Tissues were collected for titration and immunostainings. Number and size of EHV1-induced plaques were calculated, and individual EHV1-infected cells were quantified and characterized. Inoculation with either strain resulted in nasal shedding and replication in several tissues of the URT. Both strains replicated in a plaquewise manner in epithelium of the nasal mucosa, but replication in epithelium of the nasopharynx was largely limited to non-neurovirulent EHV1. Plaques were never able to cross the basement membrane, but individual infected cells were noticed in the connective tissue of all examined tissues for both strains. The total number of these cells however, was 3-7 times lower with non-neurovirulent EHV1 compared to neurovirulent EHV1. CD172a(+) cells and CD5(+) lymphocytes were important target cells for both strains. Interestingly, in lymph nodes, B-lymphocytes were also important target cells for EHV1, irrespective of the strain. Viremia was detected very early pi and infected cells were mainly CD172a(+) for both strains. In summary, these results are valuable for understanding EHV1 pathogenesis at the port of entry, the URT.

Determination of the source of increased serotonin (5-HT) concentrations in blood and peritoneal fluid of colic horses with compromised bowel.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Increased plasma (5-HT) concentrations are reported in horses predisposed to develop laminitis and after i.v. infusion of endotoxins. In the equine jejunum contractile 5-HT1A-like receptors show tachyphylaxia upon prolonged activation with 5-HT. Therefore, increased systemic 5-HT release in colic horses could play a possible role in the pathophysiology of ileus. OBJECTIVE: To investigate possible increased systemic release of 5-HT in colic horses with compromised bowel and to identify the source of 5-HT overload. METHODS: Concentrations of 5-HT were determined in plasma and peritoneal fluid (PF) of healthy horses (n = 10), strangulating small intestinal colic horses (n = 18), nonsurgical colic horses (n = 10) and cryptorchid stallions (n = 6). It was attempted to identify the source of 5-HT overload by comparing the blood and PF 5-HT concentrations within horses and by assessing the in vivo platelet activation through determination of the beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG)/platelet factor 4 (PF4) ratio. RESULTS: All horses in the strangulating small intestinal colic group had plasma (P = 0.006) and PF (P = 0.01) 5-HT concentrations above those found in the control group. Plasma beta-TG/PF4 ratio in these horses exceeded 2 in all cases, indicating in vivo platelet activation. Concentrations of 5-HT in PF of colic horses with compromised bowel were significantly lower than the corresponding plasma concentrations (P = 0.005). POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: In horses with compromised bowel, significant amounts of 5-HT can be released into the systemic circulation, through massive release of platelet-stored 5-HT. 5-HT is a very potent proinflammatory, vasoconstrictive and immunomodulatory agent. In view of the rapid and prolonged tachyphylaxia, shown for the jejunal 5-HT1A-like receptors, this increased systemic 5-HT release could play a role in the pathophysiology of ileus in horses.

New approaches for antithrombotic antiplatelet therapies.

Cardiovascular diseases are one of the major causes of mortality in the western world. As platelet dependent thrombosis is of central importance in their pathophysiology, several successful strategies, targeting a specific platelet function or interaction, have been developed to prevent or treat these disorders. However, as the current antiplatelet strategies are limited in efficacy and safety, and often influence normal haemostatic functions, new compounds are being developed with improved characteristics. This review deals with the development of novel antiplatelet compounds for which evidence is available on their antithrombotic action in vivo. In a first part, these compounds, their targets and their potential applicability are discussed. The second part of this review focuses on BT tests and bleeding models and their usefulness for determination and/or prediction of the safety of novel antiplatelet compounds.

Temporary disturbance of actin stress fibers in swine kidney cells during pseudorabies virus infection.

Rounding and loosening of cells is a consequence of infection with pseudorabies virus (PrV), both in vitro and in vivo. These changes in the normal structure of the cell may be the result of cytoskeletal changes. Immunofluorescence staining of actin filaments and microtubule bundles was performed to examine whether PrV induces a reorganization of these cytoskeletal components in infected swine kidney (SK) cells. Every 2h until 12h post-inoculation (p.i.), cells were washed in cytoskeleton stabilizing buffer (CSB), fixed with paraformaldehyde and washed again with CSB. Cells were permeabilized with a 1/1000 dilution of Triton X-100 and actin filaments were stained by incubating cells with phalloidin-Texas Red. Staining of microtubules was done by incubating the cells subsequently with mouse monoclonal anti-alpha-tubulin and goat anti-mouse IgG-FITC. During the course of infection, actin fibers of SK cells were rearranged in the following sequence: (1) disappearance of thick actin stress fibers between 4 and 6h p.i., (2) complete loss of stress fibers between 6 and 8h p.i., and (3) reappearance of thin stress fibers starting from 10h p.i. In contrast to herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) or equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV1), PrV infection did not induce changes in the cellular microtubule network. PrV infection induces a temporary disassembly of actin stress fibers.

Involvement of cellular cytoskeleton components in antibody-induced internalization of viral glycoproteins in pseudorabies virus-infected monocytes.

Addition of pseudorabies virus (PrV)-specific polyclonal immunoglobulins to PrV-infected monocytes induces internalization of plasma membrane-anchored viral glycoproteins and this may interfere with antibody-dependent cell lysis. We investigated the role of actin, microtubules, clathrin, and dynein, the major cellular components involved in physiological endocytosis during this virological internalization. Porcine monocytes were infected in vitro for 13 h and afterward treated with different concentrations of colchicine, cytochalasin D, latrunculin B, and amantadine-HCl, which inhibit polymerization of microtubules, actin/clathrin, actin, and clathrin, respectively. This resulted in a significant reduction of internalization compared to the nontreated control, indicating that these components are involved in the process. A double labeling was performed during the internalization process and a clear colocalization of actin, microtubules, clathrin, and dynein with the viral glycoproteins was observed at different stages during the internalization process. We conclude that these cellular components are used by PrV to generate the antibody-induced internalization of viral glycoproteins.

The development of ordinal numerical competence in young children.

Two experiments assessed ordinal numerical knowledge in 2- and 3-year-old children and investigated the relationship between ordinal and verbal numerical knowledge. Children were trained on a 1 vs 2 comparison and then tested with novel numerosities. Stimuli consisted of two trays, each containing a different number of boxes. In Experiment 1, box size was held constant. In Experiment 2, box size was varied such that cumulative surface area was unrelated to number. Results show children as young as 2 years of age make purely numerical discriminations and represent ordinal relations between numerosities as large as 6. Children who lacked any verbal numerical knowledge could not make ordinal judgments. However, once children possessed minimal verbal numerical competence, further knowledge was entirely unrelated to ordinal competence. Number may become a salient dimension as children begin to learn to count. An analog magnitude representation of number may underlie success on the ordinal task.

Spatiotemporal integration and object perception in infancy: perceiving unity versus form.

3 experiments investigated 5-month-old infants' perception of an object whose center was fully occluded and whose ends were visible only in succession. Infants perceived this object as one connected whole when the ends of the object underwent a common motion behind the occluder, but not when the ends were stationary. Although infants perceived the connectedness of the object, they did not appear to perceive the object's shape. These findings suggest (a) that young infants are capable of integrating information over time to perceive object unity but not object form, (b) that young infants perceive object unity in accord with basic constraints on object motion, and (c) that a common process underlies infants' perception of objects that are fully visible, objects that are partly occluded, and objects that move fully out of view.