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Chassalevris T, Chaintoutis SC, Apostolidi ED, Giadinis ND, Vlemmas I, Brellou GD, Dovas CI. A highly sensitive semi-nested real-time PCR utilizing oligospermine-conjugated degenerate primers for the detection of diverse strains of small ruminant lentiviruses. Mol Cell Probes 2020; 51:101528. [PMID: 32004592 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcp.2020.101528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2019] [Revised: 01/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs) are highly diverse retroviruses infecting sheep and goats. Although PCR-based testing is being utilized for diagnostics, its application is hampered by various factors. These include, among others, the exceptionally high genetic variability of SRLVs, as well as the low number of infected blood monocytes. For this reason, a highly sensitive and specific semi-nested real-time PCR for proviral DNA detection and quantification was developed. The method is innovative in that a) its design is based on selecting the preferred codon usage in the targeted conserved genomic regions and b) oligospermine-conjugated degenerate primers with increased Tm were utilized. Modifications permitted primer/template duplex formation in the cases of mismatches due to sporadic nucleotide polymorphisms in a number of variant SRLV strains and consequently, the detection of highly diverse SRLV strains. The potential loss of analytical sensitivity and specificity was counterbalanced by including a semi-nested step in combination with LNA probes. An in silico procedure for the evaluation of hybridization efficiency of the designed oligonucleotides to all known targeted variants was also implemented. The method presents a linear range of quantification over a 3-log10 range and a limit of detection of 3.9 proviral dsDNA copies per reaction. Its diagnostic performance was evaluated by testing field samples from seropositive and seronegative animals, followed by phylogenetic analysis of the strains detected. To further increase the diagnostic sensitivity, a DNA extraction protocol for blood leukocytes was developed and evaluated. A minimum of 500 ng input DNA is recommended for PCR-based detection of SRLV proviral DNA, given the low numbers of infected blood monocytes. The developed methodology may serve as a useful tool, which can be adjusted for the quantitative detection of viruses exhibiting high genetic variability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taxiarchis Chassalevris
- Diagnostic Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 11 Stavrou Voutyra Str., 54627, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Serafeim C Chaintoutis
- Diagnostic Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 11 Stavrou Voutyra Str., 54627, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evangelia D Apostolidi
- Laboratory of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Nektarios D Giadinis
- Clinic of Farm Animals, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 11 Stavrou Voutyra Str., 54627, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ioannis Vlemmas
- Laboratory of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Georgia D Brellou
- Laboratory of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Chrysostomos I Dovas
- Diagnostic Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 11 Stavrou Voutyra Str., 54627, Thessaloniki, Greece.
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Phillips J, Phillips I, Enya B, Zhao H, Nitta T. Effect of betulinic acid and its ionic derivatives on M-MuLV replication. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 500:365-369. [PMID: 29660337 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.04.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Murine leukemia virus (MuLV) is a retrovirus known causing leukemia and neurological disorders in mice, and its viral life cycle and pathogenesis have been investigated extensively over the past decades. As a natural antiviral agent, betulinic acid is a pentacyclic triterpenoid that can be found in the bark of several species of plants (particularly the white birch). One of the hurdles for betulinic acid to release its antiviral potency is its poor water solubility. In this study, we synthesized more water-soluble ionic derivatives of betulinic acid, and examined their activities against Moloney MuLV (M-MuLV). The mouse fibroblast cells stably infected with M-MuLV, 43D cells, were treated with various doses of betulinic acids and its derivatives, and the viral structural protein Gag in cells and media were detected by western blots. Two ionic derivatives containing the benzalkonium cation were found to inhibit the virus production into media and decreased Gag in cells. However, a cell proliferation assay showed that the benzalkonium cation inhibited the growth of 43D cells, suggesting that our ionic derivatives limited virus production through the inhibition of metabolism in 43D cells. Interestingly, all of these betulinic acid compounds exhibited a minimum impact on the processing and release of Gag from 43D cells, which outlines the differences of viral maturation between MuLV and human immunodeficiency virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine Phillips
- Department of Chemistry and Forensic Science, Savannah State University, 3219 College St., Savannah, GA 31404, USA
| | - Iesha Phillips
- Department of Biology, Savannah State University, 3219 College St., Savannah, GA 31404, USA
| | - Blessing Enya
- Department of Biology, Savannah State University, 3219 College St., Savannah, GA 31404, USA
| | - Hua Zhao
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO 80639, USA.
| | - Takayuki Nitta
- Department of Biology, Savannah State University, 3219 College St., Savannah, GA 31404, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah, 1250 East 66th St., Savannah, GA 31404, USA.
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Phylogenetic Diversity of Koala Retrovirus within a Wild Koala Population. J Virol 2017; 91:JVI.01820-16. [PMID: 27881645 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01820-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Koala populations are in serious decline across many areas of mainland Australia, with infectious disease a contributing factor. Koala retrovirus (KoRV) is a gammaretrovirus present in most wild koala populations and captive colonies. Five subtypes of KoRV (A to E) have been identified based on amino acid sequence divergence in a hypervariable region of the receptor binding domain of the envelope protein. However, analysis of viral genetic diversity has been conducted primarily on KoRV in captive koalas housed in zoos in Japan, the United States, and Germany. Wild koalas within Australia have not been comparably assessed. Here we report a detailed analysis of KoRV genetic diversity in samples collected from 18 wild koalas from southeast Queensland. By employing deep sequencing we identified 108 novel KoRV envelope sequences and determined their phylogenetic diversity. Genetic diversity in KoRV was abundant and fell into three major groups; two comprised the previously identified subtypes A and B, while the third contained the remaining hypervariable region subtypes (C, D, and E) as well as four hypervariable region subtypes that we newly define here (F, G, H, and I). In addition to the ubiquitous presence of KoRV-A, which may represent an exclusively endogenous variant, subtypes B, D, and F were found to be at high prevalence, while subtypes G, H, and I were present in a smaller number of animals. IMPORTANCE Koala retrovirus (KoRV) is thought to be a significant contributor to koala disease and population decline across mainland Australia. This study is the first to determine KoRV subtype prevalence among a wild koala population, and it significantly expands the total number of KoRV sequences available, providing a more precise picture of genetic diversity. This understanding of KoRV subtype prevalence and genetic diversity will be important for conservation efforts attempting to limit the spread of KoRV. Furthermore, KoRV is one of the only retroviruses shown to exist in both endogenous (transmitted vertically to offspring in the germ line DNA) and exogenous (horizontally transmitted between infected individuals) forms, a division of fundamental evolutionary importance.
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Establishment and Characterization of a Telomerase-Immortalized Sheep Trophoblast Cell Line. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 2016:5808575. [PMID: 26998488 PMCID: PMC4779524 DOI: 10.1155/2016/5808575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2015] [Revised: 12/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The primary sheep trophoblast cells (STCs) have a finite lifespan in culture. This feature limits the scope for long-term in vitro studies with STCs. This study was an attempt to establish and characterize a telomerase-immortalized sheep trophoblast cell line. STCs were isolated and purified by using Percoll and specific immunoaffinity purification, respectively. The purified STCs were transfected with a plasmid carrying sequences of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) to create immortalized sheep trophoblast cell line (hTERT-STCs). hTERT-STCs showed a stable expression of hTERT gene, serially passaged for a year, and showed active proliferation without signs of senescence. Cytokeratin 7 (CK-7), secreted human chorionic gonadotrophin subunit β (CG-β), placental lactogen (PL), and endogenous jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (enJSRV) envelope genes were expressed in hTERT-STCs. Transwell cell invasion assay indicated that hTERT-STCs still possessed the same invasive characteristics as normal primary sheep trophoblast cells. hTERT-STCs could not grow in soft agar and did not develop into tumors in nude mice. In this study, we established a strain of immortalized sheep trophoblast cell line which could be gainfully employed in the future as an experimental model to study trophoblast cells with secretory function, invasive features, and probable biological function of enJSRV envelope genes.
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Recent advances in the study of active endogenous retrovirus envelope glycoproteins in the mammalian placenta. Virol Sin 2015; 30:239-48. [PMID: 26311491 DOI: 10.1007/s12250-015-3617-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Accepted: 08/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are a component of the vertebrate genome and originate from exogenous infections of retroviruses in the germline of the host. ERVs have coevolved with their hosts over millions of years. Envelope glycoproteins of endogenous retroviruses are often expressed in the mammalian placenta, and their potential function has aroused considerable research interest, including the manipulation of maternal physiology to benefit the fetus. In most mammalian species, trophoblast fusion in the placenta is an important event, involving the formation of a multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast layer to fulfill essential fetomaternal exchange functions. The key function in this process derives from the envelope genes of endogenous retroviruses, namely syncytins, which show fusogenic properties and placenta-specific expression. This review discusses the important role of the recognized endogenous retrovirus envelope glycoproteins in the mammalian placenta.
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Ahmed AM, Good B, Hanrahan JP, McGettigan P, Browne J, Keane OM, Bahar B, Mehta J, Markey B, Lohan A, Sweeney T. Variation in the Ovine Abomasal Lymph Node Transcriptome between Breeds Known to Differ in Resistance to the Gastrointestinal Nematode. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0124823. [PMID: 25978040 PMCID: PMC4433221 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0124823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2014] [Accepted: 03/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Texel lambs are known to be more resistant to gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infection than Suffolk lambs, with a greater ability to limit infection. The objectives of this study were to: 1) profile the whole transcriptome of abomasal lymph node tissue of GIN-free Texel and Suffolk lambs; 2) identify differentially expressed genes and characterize the immune-related biological pathways and networks associated with these genes. Abomasal lymph nodes were collected from Texel (n = 6) and Suffolk (n = 4) lambs aged 19 weeks that had been GIN-free since 6 weeks of age. Whole transcriptome profiling was performed using RNA-seq on the Illumina platform. At the time of conducting this study, a well annotated Ovine genome was not available and hence the sequence reads were aligned with the Bovine (UMD3.1) genome. Identification of differentially expressed genes was followed by pathway and network analysis. The Suffolk breed accounted for significantly more of the differentially expressed genes, (276 more highly expressed in Suffolk v 162 in Texel; P < 0.001). The four most significant differentially expressed pathways were all related to immunity and were classified as: Role of Pattern Recognition Receptors in Recognition of Bacteria and Viruses, Activation of IRF by Cytosolic Pattern Recognition Receptors, Role of RIG-I-like Receptors in Antiviral Innate Immunity, and Interferon Signaling. Of significance is the fact that all of these four pathways were more highly expressed in the Suffolk. These data suggest that in a GIN-free environment, Suffolk lambs have a more active immune profile relative to the Texel: this immune profile may contribute to the poorer efficiency of response to a GIN challenge in the Suffolk breed compared to the Texel breed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albin M. Ahmed
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
- Teagasc Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Athenry, Co. Galway, Ireland
| | - Barbara Good
- Teagasc Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Athenry, Co. Galway, Ireland
| | - James P. Hanrahan
- Teagasc Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Athenry, Co. Galway, Ireland
| | - Paul McGettigan
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - John Browne
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Orla M. Keane
- Teagasc Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - Bojlul Bahar
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Jai Mehta
- UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Bryan Markey
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Amanda Lohan
- UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Torres Sweeney
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
- * E-mail:
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Harper J, Geraedts J, Borry P, Cornel MC, Dondorp WJ, Gianaroli L, Harton G, Milachich T, Kaariainen H, Liebaers I, Morris M, Sequeiros J, Sermon K, Shenfield F, Skirton H, Soini S, Spits C, Veiga A, Vermeesch JR, Viville S, de Wert G, Macek M. Current issues in medically assisted reproduction and genetics in Europe: research, clinical practice, ethics, legal issues and policy. Hum Reprod 2014; 29:1603-9. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deu130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
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Schoorlemmer J, Pérez-Palacios R, Climent M, Guallar D, Muniesa P. Regulation of Mouse Retroelement MuERV-L/MERVL Expression by REX1 and Epigenetic Control of Stem Cell Potency. Front Oncol 2014; 4:14. [PMID: 24567914 PMCID: PMC3915180 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2014.00014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2013] [Accepted: 01/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
About half of the mammalian genome is occupied by DNA sequences that originate from transposable elements. Retrotransposons can modulate gene expression in different ways and, particularly retrotransposon-derived long terminal repeats, profoundly shape expression of both surrounding and distant genomic loci. This is especially important in pre-implantation development, during which extensive reprograming of the genome takes place and cells pass through totipotent and pluripotent states. At this stage, the main mechanism responsible for retrotransposon silencing, i.e., DNA methylation, is inoperative. A particular retrotransposon called muERV-L/MERVL is expressed during pre-implantation stages and contributes to the plasticity of mouse embryonic stem cells. This review will focus on the role of MERVL-derived sequences as controlling elements of gene expression specific for pre-implantation development, two-cell stage-specific gene expression, and stem cell pluripotency, the epigenetic mechanisms that control their expression, and the contributions of the pluripotency marker REX1 and the related Yin Yang 1 family of transcription factors to this regulation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon Schoorlemmer
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Instituto Aragonés de Ciencias de la Salud , Zaragoza , Spain ; ARAID Foundation , Zaragoza , Spain
| | - Raquel Pérez-Palacios
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Instituto Aragonés de Ciencias de la Salud , Zaragoza , Spain
| | - María Climent
- Departamento de Anatomía, Embriología y Genética Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza , Zaragoza , Spain
| | - Diana Guallar
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Instituto Aragonés de Ciencias de la Salud , Zaragoza , Spain
| | - Pedro Muniesa
- Departamento de Anatomía, Embriología y Genética Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza , Zaragoza , Spain
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Harper JC, Geraedts J, Borry P, Cornel MC, Dondorp W, Gianaroli L, Harton G, Milachich T, Kääriäinen H, Liebaers I, Morris M, Sequeiros J, Sermon K, Shenfield F, Skirton H, Soini S, Spits C, Veiga A, Vermeesch JR, Viville S, de Wert G, Macek M. Current issues in medically assisted reproduction and genetics in Europe: research, clinical practice, ethics, legal issues and policy. European Society of Human Genetics and European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. Eur J Hum Genet 2013; 21 Suppl 2:S1-21. [PMID: 24225486 PMCID: PMC3831061 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2013.219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In March 2005, a group of experts from the European Society of Human Genetics and European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology met to discuss the interface between genetics and assisted reproductive technology (ART), and published an extended background paper, recommendations and two Editorials. Seven years later, in March 2012, a follow-up interdisciplinary workshop was held, involving representatives of both professional societies, including experts from the European Union Eurogentest2 Coordination Action Project. The main goal of this meeting was to discuss developments at the interface between clinical genetics and ARTs. As more genetic causes of reproductive failure are now recognised and an increasing number of patients undergo testing of their genome before conception, either in regular health care or in the context of direct-to-consumer testing, the need for genetic counselling and preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) may increase. Preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) thus far does not have evidence from randomised clinical trials to substantiate that the technique is both effective and efficient. Whole-genome sequencing may create greater challenges both in the technological and interpretational domains, and requires further reflection about the ethics of genetic testing in ART and PGD/PGS. Diagnostic laboratories should be reporting their results according to internationally accepted accreditation standards (International Standards Organisation - ISO 15189). Further studies are needed in order to address issues related to the impact of ART on epigenetic reprogramming of the early embryo. The legal landscape regarding assisted reproduction is evolving but still remains very heterogeneous and often contradictory. The lack of legal harmonisation and uneven access to infertility treatment and PGD/PGS fosters considerable cross-border reproductive care in Europe and beyond. The aim of this paper is to complement previous publications and provide an update of selected topics that have evolved since 2005.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joyce C Harper
- UCL Centre for PG&D, Institute for Womens Health, University College London, London, UK
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