Localization of infection in neonatal rhesus macaques after oral viral challenge.

Vertical transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can occur in utero, during delivery, and through breastfeeding. We utilized Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging coupled with fluorescent microscopy of 64Cu-labeled photoactivatable-GFP-HIV (PA-GFP-BaL) to determine how HIV virions distribute and localize in neonatal rhesus macaques two and four hours after oral viral challenge. Our results show that by four hours after oral viral exposure, HIV virions localize to and penetrate the rectal mucosa. We also used a dual viral challenge with a non-replicative viral vector and a replication competent SHIV-1157ipd3N4 to examine viral transduction and dissemination at 96 hours. Our data show that while SHIV-1157ipd3N4 infection can be found in the oral cavity and upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract, the small and large intestine contained the largest number of infected cells. Moreover, we found that T cells were the biggest population of infected immune cells. Thus, thanks to these novel technologies, we are able to visualize and delineate of viral distribution and infection throughout the entire neonatal GI tract during acute viral infection.

PET/CT targeted tissue sampling reveals virus specific dIgA can alter the distribution and localization of HIV after rectal exposure.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccines have not been successful in clinical trials. Dimeric IgA (dIgA) in the form of secretory IgA is the most abundant antibody class in mucosal tissues, making dIgA a prime candidate for potential HIV vaccines. We coupled Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging and fluorescent microscopy of 64Cu-labeled, photoactivatable-GFP HIV (PA-GFP-BaL) and fluorescently labeled dIgA to determine how dIgA antibodies influence virus interaction with mucosal barriers and viral penetration in colorectal tissue. Our results show that HIV virions rapidly disseminate throughout the colon two hours after exposure. The presence of dIgA resulted in an increase in virions and penetration depth in the transverse colon. Moreover, virions were found in the mesenteric lymph nodes two hours after viral exposure, and the presence of dIgA led to an increase in virions in mesenteric lymph nodes. Taken together, these technologies enable in vivo and in situ visualization of antibody-virus interactions and detailed investigations of early events in HIV infection.

Derivation and computation of discrete-delay and continuous-delay SDEs in mathematical biology.

Stochastic versions of several discrete-delay and continuous-delay differential equations, useful in mathematical biology, are derived from basic principles carefully taking into account the demographic, environmental, or physiological randomness in the dynamic processes. In particular, stochastic delay differential equation (SDDE) models are derived and studied for Nicholson's blowflies equation, Hutchinson's equation, an SIS epidemic model with delay, bacteria/phage dynamics, and glucose/insulin levels. Computational methods for approximating the SDDE models are described. Comparisons between computational solutions of the SDDEs and independently formulated Monte Carlo calculations support the accuracy of the derivations and of the computational methods.

The role of thin filament cooperativity in cardiac length-dependent calcium activation.

Length-dependent activation (LDA) is a prominent feature of cardiac muscle characterized by decreases in the Ca(2+) levels required to generate force (i.e., increases in Ca(2+) sensitivity) when muscle is stretched. Previous studies have concluded that LDA originates from the increased ability of (strong) cross-bridges to attach when muscle is lengthened, which in turn enhances Ca(2+) binding to the troponin C (TnC) subunit of the troponin complex. However, our results demonstrate that inhibition of strong cross-bridge attachment with blebbistatin had no effect on the length-dependent modulation of Ca(2+) sensitivity (i.e., EC(50)) or Ca(2+) cooperativity, suggesting that LDA originates upstream of cross-bridge attachment. To test whether LDA arises from length dependence of thin-filament activation, we replaced native cTnC with a mutant cTnC (DM-TnC) that is incapable of binding Ca(2+). Although progressive replacement of native cTnC with DM-TnC caused an expected monotonic decrease in the maximal force (F(max)), DM-TnC incorporation induced much larger increases in EC(50) and decreases in Ca(2+) cooperativity at short lengths than at long lengths. These findings support the conclusion that LDA arises primarily from the influence of length on the modulation of the Ca(2+) cooperativity arising from interaction between adjacent troponin-tropomyosin complexes on the thin filament.

Derivation of stochastic partial differential equations for size- and age-structured populations.

Stochastic partial differential equations (SPDEs) for size-structured and age- and size-structured populations are derived from basic principles, i.e. from the changes that occur in a small time interval. Discrete stochastic models of size-structured and age-structured populations are constructed, carefully taking into account the inherent randomness in births, deaths, and size changes. As the time interval decreases, the discrete stochastic models lead to systems of Itô stochastic differential equations. As the size and age intervals decrease, SPDEs are derived for size-structured and age- and size-structured populations. Comparisons between numerical solutions of the SPDEs and independently formulated Monte Carlo calculations support the accuracy of the derivations.

Augmented protein kinase C-alpha-induced myofilament protein phosphorylation contributes to myofilament dysfunction in experimental congestive heart failure.

It is becoming clear that upregulated protein kinase C (PKC) signaling plays a role in reduced ventricular myofilament contractility observed in congestive heart failure. However, data are scant regarding which PKC isozymes are involved. There is evidence that PKC-alpha may be of particular importance. Here, we examined PKC-alpha quantity, activity, and signaling to myofilaments in chronically remodeled myocytes obtained from rats in either early heart failure or end-stage congestive heart failure. Immunoblotting revealed that PKC-alpha expression and activation was unaltered in early heart failure but increased in end-stage congestive heart failure. Left ventricular myocytes were isolated by mechanical homogenization, Triton-skinned, and attached to micropipettes that projected from a force transducer and motor. Myofilament function was characterized by an active force-[Ca(2+)] relation to obtain Ca(2+)-saturated maximal force (F(max)) and myofilament Ca(2+) sensitivity (indexed by EC(50)) before and after incubation with PKC-alpha, protein phosphatase type 1 (PP1), or PP2a. PKC-alpha treatment induced a 30% decline in F(max) and 55% increase in the EC(50) in control cells but had no impact on myofilament function in failing cells. PP1-mediated dephosphorylation increased F(max) (15%) and decreased EC(50) ( approximately 20%) in failing myofilaments but had no effect in control cells. PP2a-dependent dephosphorylation had no effect on myofilament function in either group. Lastly, PP1 dephosphorylation restored myofilament function in control cells hyperphosphorylated with PKC-alpha. Collectively, our results suggest that in end-stage congestive heart failure, the myofilament proteins exist in a hyperphosphorylated state attributable, in part, to increased activity and signaling of PKC-alpha.

Interfilament spacing is preserved during sarcomere length isometric contractions in rat cardiac trabeculae.

It is generally assumed that the myofilament lattice in intact (i.e., nonskinned) striated muscle obeys constant volume. However, whether such is the case during the myocardial contraction is unknown. Accordingly, we measured interfilament spacing by x-ray diffraction in ultra-thin isolated rat right ventricular trabeculae during a short 10 ms shuttered exposure either just before electrical stimulation (diastole), or at the peak of the contraction (systole); sarcomere length (SL) was held constant throughout the contraction using an iterative feedback control system. SL was thus varied in a series of SL-clamped contractions; the relationship between SL and interfilament spacing was not different between diastole and systole within 1%; this was true also over a wide range of inotropic states induced by varied [Ca(2+)](o). We conclude that the cardiac myofilament lattice maintains constant volume, and thus constant interfilament spacing, during contraction.

A comparison of persistence-time estimation for discrete and continuous stochastic population models that include demographic and environmental variability.

A discrete-time Markov chain model, a continuous-time Markov chain model, and a stochastic differential equation model are compared for a population experiencing demographic and environmental variability. It is assumed that the environment produces random changes in the per capita birth and death rates, which are independent from the inherent random (demographic) variations in the number of births and deaths for any time interval. An existence and uniqueness result is proved for the stochastic differential equation system. Similarities between the models are demonstrated analytically and computational results are provided to show that estimated persistence times for the three stochastic models are generally in good agreement when the models satisfy certain consistency conditions.

A comparison of three different stochastic population models with regard to persistence time.

Results are summarized from the literature on three commonly used stochastic population models with regard to persistence time. In addition, several new results are introduced to clearly illustrate similarities between the models. Specifically, the relations between the mean persistence time and higher-order moments for discrete-time Markov chain models, continuous-time Markov chain models, and stochastic differential equation models are compared for populations experiencing demographic variability. Similarities between the models are demonstrated analytically, and computational results are provided to show that estimated persistence times for the three stochastic models are generally in good agreement when the models are consistently formulated. As an example, the three stochastic models are applied to a population satisfying logistic growth. Logistic growth is interesting as different birth and death rates can yield the same logistic differential equation. However, the persistence behavior of the population is strongly dependent on the explicit forms for the birth and death rates. Computational results demonstrate how dramatically the mean persistence time can vary for different populations that experience the same logistic growth.