Evidence of simian virus 40 exposure in a colony of captive baboons

Urinary Proteome of Newborn Calves-New Potential in Non-Invasive Neonatal Diagnostic

Simple Summary

Urine is an underappreciated biological sample in the context of health monitoring of newborn calves. It can be collected noninvasively and used for diagnostic purposes, which is an attractive option in veterinary examination. The establishment of urinary protein maps of healthy newborn calves is important for diagnosing and monitoring the progression of various diseases. The aim of this study was to characterize the urinary proteome profile of healthy newborn calves. We applied 2-D gel electrophoresis combined with MALDI-TOF-TOF-MS/MS and 1-D gel electrophoresis coupled with LC-MS-MS analysis to separate and identify proteins present in the urine of newborn calves. Urinary proteomic analysis allowed us to detect proteins which are characteristic of embryonic and neonatal development and proteins involved in the cardiovascular and digestive system, and bone and kidney development. Moreover, we identified proteins that can be used to assess normal glomerular and tubular physiology. In calves, one of the main causes of mortality in the neonatal period is diarrhea, affecting fluid and electrolyte balance. We also identified proteins involved in the renal transport of water and electrolytes, which can be useful in the early diagnosis and prevention of these type of disorders.

Abstract

Urine is a biological diagnostic material suitable not only for the analysis of kidney and urinary tract functions but also the function of other tissues and organs. The urine proteome of adult mammals differs from the urine proteome of neonatal ones. The establishment of urinary protein maps of healthy newborn calves is important for diagnosing and monitoring the progression of various diseases. The experiment was carried out on a Polish-Friesian var. of Black-and-White male calves in the sixth day of postnatal life. The two proteomics approaches used for separation and identification of urinary proteins were: 2-DE with MALDI-TOF-TOF-MS/MS and 1-DE with LC-MS/MS. This resulted in the identification of 692 urinary proteins. The majority of them were classified as extracellular proteins (40.32%), as well as proteins involved in regulation of major cellular processes (31.07%). We have observed the presence of unique proteins associated with embryonic (ameloblastin, alpha-fetoprotein, Delta-like protein, embryo-specific fibronectin 1 transcript variant, Indian hedgehog homolog) and kidney development (angiotensin-converting enzyme, angiotensinogen, aquaporin-1, calbindin, glypican 3, nidogen 1, pro-cathepsin H). Additionally, proteins involved in the renal regulation of water and electrolyte balance (angiotensinogen, angiotensin-converting enzyme, aquaporin-1, ezrin, uromodulin) were detected. Presented in the current study 1-D and 2-D urinary proteomic maps are the basis for the identification and detection of prognostic biomarkers important for defining a calf’s health status.

Antibodies reacting to mimotopes of Simian virus 40 large T antigen, the viral oncoprotein, in sera from children

Recent data indicate that the Simian virus 40 (SV40) infection appears to be transmitted in humans independently from early SV40-contaminated antipolio vaccines. Serum antibodies against SV40 large T antigen (Tag) were analyzed in children/adolescents and young adults. To investigate antibodies reacting to SV40 Tag antigens, serum samples ( n = 812) from children and young adults were analyzed by indirect ELISAs using specific SV40 Tag mimotopes. Mimotopes were synthetic peptides corresponding to SV40 Tag epitopes. In sera ( n = 412) from healthy children up to 17 years old, IgG antibodies against SV40 Tag mimotopes reached an overall prevalence of 15%. IgM antibodies against SV40 Tag were detected in sera of children 6-8 months old confirming and extending the knowledge that SV40 seroconversion occurs early in life. In children/adolescents affected by different diseases ( n = 180) SV40 Tag had a prevalence of 18%, being the difference no significant compared to healthy subjects ( n = 220; 16%) of the same age. Our immunological data indicate that SV40 circulates in children and young adults, both in healthy conditions and affected by distinct diseases. The IgM detection in sera from healthy children suggests that the SV40 infection/seroconversion occurs early in life (>6 months). Our immunological data support the hypothesis that SV40, or a closely related still unknown polyomavirus, infects humans. The SV40 seroprevalence is lower than common polyomaviruses, such as BKPyV and JCPyV, and other new human polyomaviruses. In addition, our immunological surveillance indicates a lack of association between different diseases, considered herein, and SV40.

Proteomics identifies molecular networks affected by tetradecylthioacetic acid and fish oil supplemented diets

Fish oil (FO) and tetradecylthioacetic acid (TTA) - a synthetic modified fatty acid have beneficial effects in regulating lipid metabolism. In order to dissect the mechanisms underlying the molecular action of those two fatty acids we have investigated the changes in mitochondrial protein expression in a long-term study (50weeks) in male Wistar rats fed 5 different diets. The diets were as follows: low fat diet; high fat diet; and three diets that combined high fat diet with fish oil, TTA or combination of those two as food supplements. We used two different proteomics techniques: a protein centric based on 2D gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry, and LC-MS(E) based peptide centric approach. As a result we provide evidence that fish oil and TTA modulate mitochondrial metabolism in a synergistic manner yet the effects of TTA are much more dramatic. We demonstrate that fatty acid metabolism; lipid oxidation, amino acid metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation pathways are involved in fish oil and TTA action. Evidence for the involvement of PPAR mediated signalling is provided. Additionally we postulate that down regulation of components of complexes I and II contributes to the strong antioxidant properties of TTA.

BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

This study for the first time explores the effect of fish oil and TTA - tetradecyl-thioacetic acid and the combination of those two as diet supplements on mitochondria metabolism in a comprehensive and systematic manner. We show that fish oil and TTA modulate mitochondrial metabolism in a synergistic manner yet the effects of TTA are much more dramatic. We demonstrate in a large scale that fatty acid metabolism and lipid oxidation are affected by fish oil and TTA, a phenomenon already known from more directed molecular biology studies. Our approach, however, shows additionally that amino acid metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation pathways are also strongly affected by TTA and also to some extent by fish oil administration. Strong evidence for the involvement of PPAR mediated signalling is provided linking the different metabolic effects. The global and systematic viewpoint of this study compiles many of the known phenomena related to the effects of fish oil and fatty acids giving a solid foundation for further exploratory and more directed studies of the mechanisms behind the beneficial and detrimental effects of fish oil and TTA diet supplementation. This work is already a second article in a series of studies conducted using this model of dietary intervention. In the previous study (Vigerust et al., [21]) the effects of fish oil and TTA on the plasma lipids and cholesterol levels as well as key metabolic enzymes in the liver have been studied. In an ongoing study more work is being done to explore in detail for example the link between the down regulation of the components of the respiratory chain (observed in this study) and the strong antioxidant effects of TTA. The reference diet in this study has been designed to mimic an unhealthy - high fat diet that is thought to contribute to the development of metabolic syndrome - a condition that is strongly associated with diabetes, obesity and heart failure. Fish oil and TTA are known to have beneficial effects for the fatty acid metabolism and have been shown to alleviate some of the symptoms of the metabolic syndrome. To date very little is known about the molecular mechanisms behind these beneficial effects and the potential pitfalls of the consumption of those two compounds. Only studies of each compound separately and using only small scale molecular biology approaches have been carried out. The results of this work provide an excellent starting point for further studies that will help to understand the metabolic effects of fish oil and TTA and will hopefully help to design dietary programs directed towards reduction of the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and associated diseases.

Generation of a specific-pathogen-free baboon colony

We undertook establishing an SPF baboon colony in response to requests from researchers. To enable the widest possible future use of SPF baboons, our aim was to develop an SPF colony of baboons (Papio hamadryas anubis) free of 12 target viruses: 5 herpesviruses, 4 retroviruses, simian virus 40, measles, and monkeypox. Infant baboons were removed from their mothers within 24 h of birth and nursery-reared. Groups of 3 to 8 age-matched conspecifics were isolated in separate rooms for 1 y while undergoing repeated testing for target viruses. During the initial 7 y of the SPF program, 171 infants were enrolled, of which 76 (44.4%) subsequently were removed from the program. Of those removed, 54 (71.0%) were culled due to breaks in virus-free status, 12 (15.8%) died of various causes, 4 (5.3%) developed seizures, and 6 (7.9%) were removed for other reasons. The most problematic viruses were baboon cytomegalovirus (25.9% of culls), Herpesvirus papio 1 (51.9%), and simian foamy virus (7.4%). Using conspecific groups of 3 to 4 infants reduced first-year program losses as compared with groups of 6 to 8. There have been 17 births in the SPF colony, and all these infants have been free of all target viruses since birth. On the basis of these results, early removal of infants from their dams, housing in small peer groups, frequent virus testing, and aggressive culling of virus-positive animals is an effective approach for development of a baboon colony free of multiple viruses.