Bovine platelets activated by Haemophilus somnus and its LOS induce apoptosis in bovine endothelial cells

Methods in isolation and characterization of bovine monocytes and macrophages

Monocytes and macrophages belong to the mononuclear phagocyte system and play important roles in both physiological and pathological processes. The cells belonging to the monocyte/macrophage system are structurally and functionally heterogeneous. Several subsets of monocytes have been previously identified in mammalian blood, generating different subpopulations of macrophages in tissues. Although their distribution and phenotype are similar to their human counterpart, bovine monocytes and macrophages feature differences in both functions and purification procedures. The specific roles that monocytes and macrophages fulfil in several important diseases of bovine species, including among the others tuberculosis and paratuberculosis, brucellosis or the disease related to peripartum, remain still partially elusive. The purpose of this review is to discuss the current knowledge of bovine monocytes and macrophages. We will describe methods for their purification and characterization of their major functions, including chemotaxis, phagocytosis and killing, oxidative burst, apoptosis and necrosis. An overview of the flow cytometry and morphological procedures, including cytology, histology and immunohistochemistry, that are currently utilized to describe monocyte and macrophage main populations and functions is presented as well.

Gene set enrichment analysis of SNP data in dairy and beef cattle with bovine respiratory disease

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a complex disease that is associated with infection by bacterial and viral pathogens when cattle fail to adequately respond to stress. The objective of this study was to use gene set enrichment analysis of SNP data (GSEA-SNP) and a network analysis (ingenuity pathway analysis) to identify gene sets, genes within gene sets (leading-edge genes) and upstream regulators associated with BRD in pre-weaned dairy calves and beef feedlot cattle. BRD cases and controls were diagnosed using the McGuirk health scoring system. Holstein calves were sampled from commercial calf-raising facilities in California (1003 cases and 1011 controls) and New Mexico (376 cases and 372 controls). Commercial feedlot cattle were sampled from Colorado (500 cases and 499 controls) and Washington (504 cases and 497 controls). There were 102 and 237 unique leading-edge genes identified in the dairy calf and beef cattle populations respectively. Six leading-edge genes (ADIPOQ, HTR2A, MIF, PDE6G, PRDX3 and SNCA) were associated with BRD in both dairy and beef cattle. Network analysis identified glucose as the most influential upstream regulator in dairy cattle, whereas in beef cattle, TNF was the most influential upstream regulator. The genes, gene sets and upstream regulators associated with BRD have common functions associated with immunity, inflammation and pulmonary disease and provide insights into the mechanisms that are critical to BRD susceptibility in cattle.

A Predominant Clonal Thromboembolic Meningoencephalitis Group of Histophilus somni Assigned by Major Outer Membrane Protein Gene Sequencing and Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis

Histophilus somni, a member of the family Pasteurellaceae, causes a variety of diseases, including thromboembolic meningoencephalitis (TEME) and respiratory diseases, which result in considerable economic losses to the cattle and sheep industries. In this study, 132 chronologically diverse isolates from cattle in Japan and 68 isolates from other countries comprising 49 from cattle and 19 from sheep were characterized using major outer membrane protein (MOMP) gene sequence and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analyses. The H. somni isolates formed nine MOMP genetic clades (clade Ia, Ib, and II-VIII) and 10 PFGE clusters (HS1-HS10). Except for two (1.0%), all isolates fell into one of the nine MOMP genetic clades, while 62 (31.0%) isolates belonged to no PFGE cluster. MOMP genetic clade Ia and PFGE cluster HS1 were the major groups, and all HS1 isolates possessed the clade Ia MOMP gene. Isolates from TEME cases were significantly associated with these major groups (chi-square test, p < 0.0001), as 88.2% of the TEME isolates belonged to MOMP genetic clade Ia and PFGE cluster HS1, which formed the most predominant clonal group. After an inactivated vaccine using an HS1 strain with the clade Ia MOMP gene was introduced in Japan in late 1989, the number of TEME cases and isolates assigned into the clonal group decreased simultaneously. However, the proportions of clade Ia and cluster HS1 isolates from TEME cases remained high after 1990. These results suggest a close association of TEME with PFGE cluster HS1 and MOMP genetic clade Ia, and imply the presence of factors or characteristics commonly possessed by those strains that contribute to the development of TEME.

Panax notoginseng saponin is superior to aspirin in inhibiting platelet adhesion to injured endothelial cells through COX pathway in vitro

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to investigate the effect of Panax notoginseng saponin (PNS) on platelet adhesion to injured endothelial cells (ECs) and platelet activation induced by injured ECs, and to explore its underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) pretreated with aspirin (ASA,15μg/mL) or PNS (160μg/mL), or neither, were exposed to oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL,80mg/L) for 16h. Platelets were then added and co-cultured with HUVECs for 5min. Platelet adhesion to ECs, platelet CD62p expression, and HUVEC apoptosis were assessed by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS)·Supernatant concentration of 6-keto-PGF1α and thromboxane 2 (TXB2) were measured by radioimmunoassay. Cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and COX-2 protein expression were measured by western blotting.

RESULTS

The inhibitory effect of PNS on platelet activation was similar to ASA, but the inhibitory effect of PNS on platelet adhesion to ECs was superior to ASA. PNS modulated COX-2 expression, and increased 6-keto-PGF1α concentration in HUVECs, while down-regulated COX-1 expression and decreased supernatant TXB2 concentration in platelets. Co-culturing of injured HUVECs with platelets increased HUVEC apoptosis induced by ox-LDL compared with HUVECs cultured without platelets; ASA increased HUVEC apoptosis induced by ox-LDL when cultured without platelets, while decreased the apoptosis when co-cultured with platelets.

CONCLUSIONS

EC protection by ASA is closely associated with its inhibitory effect on platelet activation. PNS is superior to ASA in protecting ECs and in inhibiting platelet adhesion to injured ECs, and the regulation of COX pathway in both ECs and platelets might be the underlying mechanisms of PNS.

Histophilus somni causes extracellular trap formation by bovine neutrophils and macrophages

Histophilus somni (formerly Haemophilus somnus) is a Gram-negative pleomorphic coccobacillus that causes respiratory, reproductive, cardiac and neuronal diseases in cattle. H. somni is a member of the bovine respiratory disease complex that causes severe bronchopneumonia in cattle. Previously, it has been reported that bovine neutrophils and macrophages have limited ability to phagocytose and kill H. somni. Recently, it was discovered that bovine neutrophils and macrophages produce extracellular traps in response to Mannheimia haemolytica, another member of the bovine respiratory disease complex. In this study, we demonstrate that H. somni also causes extracellular trap production by bovine neutrophils in a dose- and time-dependent manner, which did not coincide with the release of lactate dehydrogenase, a marker for necrosis. Neutrophil extracellular traps were produced in response to outer membrane vesicles, but not lipooligosacchride alone. Using scanning electron microscopy and confocal microscopy, we observed H. somni cells trapped within a web-like structure. Further analyses demonstrated that bovine neutrophils trapped and killed H. somni in a DNA-dependent manner. Treatment of DNA extracellular traps with DNase I freed H. somni cells and diminished bacterial death. Treatment of bovine monocyte-derived macrophages with H. somni cells also caused macrophage extracellular trap formation. These findings suggest that extracellular traps may play a role in the host response to H. somni infection in cattle.

The role of lipooligosaccharide phosphorylcholine in colonization and pathogenesis of Histophilus somni in cattle

Histophilus somni is a Gram-negative bacterium and member of the Pasteurellaceae that is responsible for respiratory disease and other systemic infections in cattle. One of the bacterium’s virulence factors is antigenic phase variation of its lipooligosaccharide (LOS). LOS antigenic variation may occur through variation in composition or structure of glycoses or their substitutions, such as phosphorylcholine (ChoP). However, the role of ChoP in the pathogenesis of H. somni disease has not been established. In Haemophilus influenzae ChoP on the LOS binds to platelet activating factor on epithelial cells, promoting bacterial colonization of the host upper respiratory tract. However, ChoP is not expressed in the blood as it also binds C-reactive protein, resulting in complement activation and killing of the bacteria. In order to simulate the susceptibility of calves with suppressed immunity due to stress or previous infection, calves were challenged with bovine herpes virus-1 or dexamethazone 3 days prior to challenge with H. somni. Following challenge, expression of ChoP on the LOS of 2 different H. somni strains was associated with colonization of the upper respiratory tract. In contrast, lack of ChoP expression was associated with bacteria recovered from systemic sites. Histopathology of cardiac tissue from myocarditis revealed lesions containing bacterial clusters that appeared similar to a biofilm. Furthermore, some respiratory cultures contained substantial numbers of Pasteurella multocida, which were not present on preculture screens. Subsequent biofilm experiments have shown that H. somni and P. multocida grow equally well together in a biofilm, suggesting a commensal relationship may exist between the two species. Our results also showed that ChoP contributed to, but was not required for, adhesion to respiratory epithelial cells. In conclusion, expression of ChoP on H. somni LOS contributed to colonization of the bacteria to the host upper respiratory tract, but phase variable loss of ChoP expression may help the bacteria survive systemically.

RNA-seq based transcriptional map of bovine respiratory disease pathogen "Histophilus somni 2336"

Genome structural annotation, i.e., identification and demarcation of the boundaries for all the functional elements in a genome (e.g., genes, non-coding RNAs, proteins and regulatory elements), is a prerequisite for systems level analysis. Current genome annotation programs do not identify all of the functional elements of the genome, especially small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs). Whole genome transcriptome analysis is a complementary method to identify “novel” genes, small RNAs, regulatory regions, and operon structures, thus improving the structural annotation in bacteria. In particular, the identification of non-coding RNAs has revealed their widespread occurrence and functional importance in gene regulation, stress and virulence. However, very little is known about non-coding transcripts in Histophilus somni, one of the causative agents of Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) as well as bovine infertility, abortion, septicemia, arthritis, myocarditis, and thrombotic meningoencephalitis. In this study, we report a single nucleotide resolution transcriptome map of H. somni strain 2336 using RNA-Seq method.

The RNA-Seq based transcriptome map identified 94 sRNAs in the H. somni genome of which 82 sRNAs were never predicted or reported in earlier studies. We also identified 38 novel potential protein coding open reading frames that were absent in the current genome annotation. The transcriptome map allowed the identification of 278 operon (total 730 genes) structures in the genome. When compared with the genome sequence of a non-virulent strain 129Pt, a disproportionate number of sRNAs (∼30%) were located in genomic region unique to strain 2336 (∼18% of the total genome). This observation suggests that a number of the newly identified sRNAs in strain 2336 may be involved in strain-specific adaptations.

Host response to bovine respiratory pathogens

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) involves complex interactions amongst viral and bacterial pathogens that can lead to intense pulmonary inflammation (fibrinous pleuropneumonia). Viral infection greatly increases the susceptibility of cattle to secondary infection of the lung with bacterial pathogens likeMannheimia haemolyticaandHistophilus somni. The underlying reason for this viral/bacterial synergism, and the manner in which cattle respond to the virulence strategies of the bacterial pathogens, is incompletely understood. Bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1) infection of bronchial epithelial cellsin vitroenhances the binding ofM. haemolyticaand triggers release of inflammatory mediators that attract and enhance binding of neutrophils. An exotoxin (leukotoxin) released fromM. haemolyticafurther stimulates release of inflammatory mediators and causes leukocyte death. Cattle infected withH. somnifrequently display vasculitis. Exposure of bovine endothelial cells toH. somniior its lipooligosaccharide (LOS) increases endothelium permeability, and makes the surface of the endothelial cells pro-coagulant. These processes are amplified in the presence of platelets. The above findings demonstrate that bovine respiratory pathogens (BHV-1,M. haemolyticaandH. somni) interact with leukocytes and other cells (epithelial and endothelial cells) leading to the inflammation that characterizes BRD.

Interactions of Haemophilus parasuis and its LOS with porcine brain microvascular endothelial cells

Haemophilus parasuis is a swine pathogen that causes Glässer's disease, which is characterized by polyserositis and meningitis. The pathogenesis of the H. parasuis infection is poorly understood. To cause meningitis, H. parasuis has to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to gain access to the central nervous system (CNS). We recently showed that H. parasuis adheres to and invades porcine brain microvascular endothelial cells (PBMEC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of H. parasuis lipooligosaccharide (LOS) in the adhesion to PBMEC and to determine if H. parasuis (and/or its LOS) is able to induce apoptosis and activation of PBMEC. Results showed that adhesion of H. parasuis to PBMEC was partially mediated by LOS. Moreover, H. parasuis induces caspase-3-mediated apoptosis of PBMEC in a time--and dose--dependent manner, but its LOS did not seem to be involved in such a process. Furthermore, H. parasuis and, to a lesser extent, its LOS, was able to induce the release of IL-8 and IL-6 by PBMEC. Field strains of H. parasuis serotypes 4 and 5 induced similar levels of these inflammatory mediators. Our data suggest that H. parasuis uses cellular adhesion, induction of apoptosis and up-regulation of inflammatory mediators as mechanisms to invade the CNS via the BBB, and that LOS would play a certain but limited role in such pathological process.

Histophilus somni host-parasite relationships

Histophilus somni (Haemophilus somnus) is one of the key bacterial pathogens involved in the multifactorial etiology of the Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex. This Gram negative pleomorphic rod also causes bovine septicemia, thrombotic meningencephalitis, myocarditis, arthritis, abortion and infertility, as well as disease in sheep, bison and bighorn sheep. Virulence factors include lipooligosaccharide, immunoglobulin binding proteins (as a surface fibrillar network), a major outer membrane protein (MOMP), other outer membrane proteins (OMPs) and exopolysaccharide. Histamine production, biofilm formation and quorum sensing may also contribute to pathogenesis. Antibodies are very important in protection as shown in passive protection studies. The lack of long-term survival of the organism in macrophages, unlike facultative intracellular bacteria, also suggests that antibodies should be critical in protection. Of the immunoglobulin classes, IgG2 antibodies are most implicated in protection and IgE antibodies in immunopathogenesis. The immunodominant antigen recognized by IgE is the MOMP and by IgG2 is a 40 kDa OMP. Pathogenetic synergy of bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) and H. somni in calves can be attributed, in part at least, to the higher IgE anti-MOMP antibody responses in dually infected calves. Other antigens are probably involved in stimulating host defense or immunopathology as well.

Endothelial cells as active participants in veterinary infections and inflammatory disorders

Endothelial cells were once viewed as relatively inert cells lining the vasculature. They are now recognized as active and responsive regulators of coagulation, platelet adhesion, fluid homeostasis, wound healing, leukocyte extravasation and vascular tone. Endothelial cells play a key role in the host response to infectious agents by regulating leukocyte trafficking, producing inflammatory cytokines and presenting antigen in association with major histocompatibility class II (MHC II) molecules. A number of infectious agents have a tropism for endothelial cells. Infection of endothelial cells can promote thrombosis, vascular leakage, and increased adherence and emigration of leukocytes. Furthermore, activation of a systemic inflammatory response, in the absence of direct endothelial cell infection, can also lead to endothelial cell dysfunction. The purpose of this review is to highlight the interactions between endothelial cells and infectious or inflammatory agents that contribute to coagulation disturbances, vasculitis and edema. A select group of viral and bacterial pathogens will be used as examples to demonstrate how endothelial cell dysfunction contributes to the pathogenesis of infectious and inflammatory disorders.

α1-Acid glycoprotein modulates apoptosis in bovine monocytes

alpha(1)-Acid glycoprotein (AGP, orosomucoid) is a normal constituent of bovine blood. AGP is an immunocalin, a binding protein that can also exert several immunomodulatory functions. In this paper we investigated the effect of bovine alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein (boAGP) on spontaneous and staurosporine-induced apoptosis of blood derived monocytes purified using magnetic cell sorting techniques. Bovine AGP was purified from blood following a chromatographic protocol. The homogeneous protein was used to stimulate the cells as well to raise a polyclonal antibody, that was used throughout all the experiments. When monocytes were incubated with high concentrations of boAGP (0.9 mg/ml), similar to those found in bovine plasma during systemic reaction to inflammation, their spontaneous apoptosis rate was suppressed, as determined by caspase-3/7 enzymatic activity assay. Similar results were obtained when apoptosis was induced by adding staurosporine, a potent protein kinase inhibitor. The apoptosis-modulating activity of boAGP was dependent on its concentration, since physiological concentrations of boAGP (0.3 mg/ml) did not exhibit a statistically significative anti-apoptotic activity. We also investigated whether this apoptosis-modulating activity was dependent on the terminal sialic acid residues exposed on the surface of the protein. Enzymatic treatment with neuraminidase, that cleaves terminal sialic acid residues, completely abolished boAGP's anti-apoptotic activity. These results suggest that the protective effect of AGP is likely mediated by its sialic acid terminal groups.

Complexities of the pathogenesis ofMannheimia haemolyticaandHaemophilus somnusinfections: challenges and potential opportunities for prevention?

Progress in producing improved vaccines against bacterial diseases of cattle is limited by an incomplete understanding of the pathogenesis of these agents. Our group has been involved in investigations of two members of the family Pasteurellaceae,Mannheimia haemolyticaandHaemophilus somnus, which illustrate some of the complexities that must be confronted. Susceptibility toM. haemolyticais greatly increased during active viral respiratory infection, resulting in rapid onset of a severe and even lethal pleuropneumonia. Despite years of investigation, understanding of the mechanisms underlying this viral–bacterial synergism is incomplete. We have investigated the hypothesis that active viral infection increases the susceptibility of bovine leukocytes to theM. haemolyticaleukotoxin by increasing the expression of or activating the β2integrin CD11a/CD18 (LFA-1) on the leukocyte surface.In vitroexposure to proinflammatory cytokines (i.e. interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ) increases LFA-1 expression on bovine leukocytes, which in turn correlates with increased binding and responsiveness to the leukotoxin. Alveolar macrophages and peripheral blood leukocytes from cattle with active bovine herpesvirus-1 (BVH-1) infection are more susceptible to the lethal effects of the leukotoxinex vivothan leukocytes from uninfected cattle. Likewise,in vitroincubation of bovine leukocytes with bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1) potentiates LFA-1 expression and makes the cells more responsive to leukotoxin. A striking characteristic ofH. somnusinfection is its propensity to cause vasculitis. We have shown thatH. somnusand its lipo-oligosaccharide (LOS) trigger caspase activation and apoptosis in bovine endothelial cellsin vitro. This effect is associated with the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen intermediates, and is amplified in the presence of platelets. The adverse effects ofH. somnusLOS are mediated in part by activation of endothelial cell purinergic receptors such as P2X7. Further dissection of the pathways that lead to endothelial cell damage in response toH. somnusmight help in the development of new preventive or therapeutic regimens. A more thorough understanding ofM. haemolyticaandH. somnusvirulence factors and their interactions with the host might identify new targets for prevention of bovine respiratory disease.

Expression of phosphorylcholine by Histophilus somni induces bovine platelet aggregation

Histophilus somni-induced platelet aggregation was inhibited by antagonists of the platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor but not inhibitors of PAF synthesis. In addition, H. somni cells expressing phosphorylcholine (ChoP) induced aggregation, while ChoP(-) H. somni cells did not. This suggests that H. somni ChoP may induce platelet aggregation via interactions with the PAF receptor.

Signaling through interleukin-1 type 1 receptor diminishes Haemophilus somnus lipooligosaccharide-mediated apoptosis of endothelial cells

During sepsis, endothelial cells are both a source and target of pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g. IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, TNFalpha and others), which may be detrimental to vascular homeostasis. Our laboratory has demonstrated that Haemophilus somnus, a gram-negative pathogen of cattle that causes sepsis and vasculitis, and its lipooligosaccharide (LOS) induce caspases-3, -8 and -9 activation, and apoptosis of endothelial cells in vitro. In this study, we provide evidence that H. somnus LOS increases IL-1alpha and IL-1beta mRNA expression, and caspase-1 activation in endothelial cells. Addition of a caspase-1 inhibitor (YVAD), or incubation in a high extracellular potassium buffer (150 mM), reduced caspase-1 activation and significantly enhanced H. somnus LOS-mediated caspase-3 activation. Likewise, blocking the IL-1 type 1 receptor by addition of IL-receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) significantly enhanced LOS-mediated caspase-3 activation. Conversely, addition of exogenous recombinant bovine IL-1beta (100 ng/mL) to endothelial cells diminished LOS-mediated apoptosis. IL-1beta has been reported previously to protect numerous cell types from apoptosis by activating PI3 kinase/p-Akt signaling pathways. Addition of selective PI3 kinase inhibitors (e.g. wortmannin and LY294002) significantly enhanced LOS-mediated caspase-3 activation. Exposure of endothelial cells to IL-1beta or LOS increased pAkt protein as assessed by western blot. Overall, these results suggest that signaling through the IL-1 type 1 receptor diminishes H. somnus LOS-mediated apoptosis.

Stimulation of P2X receptors enhances lipooligosaccharide-mediated apoptosis of endothelial cells

Exposure of endothelial cells to lipid A-containing molecules, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or lipooligosaccharide (LOS), causes the release of purinergic compounds [e.g., adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP)] and can lead to apoptosis. The P2X family of purinergic receptors (e.g., P2X(7)) has been reported to modulate LPS signaling events and to participate in apoptosis. We investigated the role that P2X receptors play in the apoptosis that follows exposure of bovine endothelial cells to Haemophilus somnus LOS. Addition of P2X inhibitors, such as periodate-oxidized ATP (oATP) or pyridoxal-phosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulfonic acid tetrasodium, significantly reduced LOS-induced apoptosis. Incubation of endothelial cells with apyrase, which degrades ATP, diminished LOS-induced apoptosis of endothelial cells. Concomitant addition of P2X agonists [e.g., 2',3'-(4-benzoyl)-benzoyl ATP or ATP] to LOS-treated endothelial cells significantly enhanced caspase-3 activation. The P2X antagonist oATP significantly blocked caspase-8 but not caspase-9 activation in LOS-treated endothelial cells. Together, these data indicate that stimulation of P2X receptors enhances LOS-induced apoptosis of endothelial cells, possibly as a result of endogenous release of ATP, which results in caspase-8 activation.