Innate and adaptive immune gene expression in the brain is associated with neuropathological changes after infection with bovine alpha-herpesvirus-5 in mice

Bovine alpha herpesvirus-5 (BoAHV-5) is related to the development of meningoencephalitis in cattle. Very little is known about the molecular pathways involved in the central nervous system (CNS) damage associated with inflammation during BoHV-5 infection in mice. To better identify the specific immunological pathways triggered by BoAHV-5 infection in mice, we evaluated the mRNA expression of 84 genes involved in innate and adaptive immune responses. We compared gene expression changes in the cerebrum from noninfected and infected mice with BoHV-5 at a 1 × 107 TCID50. Then, we analyzed the association of these genes with neurological signs, neuropathology, and activation of glial cells in response to BoHV-5 infection. Three days after BoAHV-5 infection, increased expression of TNF, IL-2, CXCL10, CXCR3, CCR4, CCL5, IFN-γ, IL-10, IRF7, STAT1, MX1, GATA 3 C3, LIZ2, caspase-1 and IL-1b was found. We also observed the upregulated expression of the CD8a, TBX21 and CD40LG genes and the downregulated expression of the CD4 gene after BoAHV-5 infection. In addition, BoHV-5-infected animals showed higher levels of all the evaluated inflammatory mediators (TNF, IFN-γ and IL-10) on day 3 postinfection. BoAHV-5-infected animals showed neurological changes along with meningoencephalitis, neuropil vacuolation, hemorrhage and reactive gliosis. Astrogliosis and microgliosis, indicated by increased expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba-1), were found throughout the neuropil in infected brains. Moreover, cleaved caspase-3 immunopositive glio-inflammatory cells were visualized around some blood vessels in areas of neuroinflammation in the cerebrum. In agreement on that we found higher cleaved caspase-3 and Iba-1 expression evaluated by western blot analysis in the brains of infected mice compared to control mice. In conclusion, our results revealed.

Minocycline treatment prevents depression and anxiety-like behaviors and promotes neuroprotection after experimental ischemic stroke

Depression and anxiety have been reported as the major neuropsychiatric consequences following stroke. Minocycline, a neuroprotective drug has minimized depressive symptoms in patients with major depressive disorders and anxiety-like symptoms. In addition, minocycline demonstrated efficacy and seemed a promising neuroprotective agent in acute stroke patients. The present studied evaluated the effects of minocycline treatment on the depression and anxiety-like behaviors, brain damage and expression of inflammatory and neuroprotective mediators after transient global cerebral ischemia in C57BL/6 mice. Brain ischemia was induced by bilateral occlusion of the common carotids (BCCAo) for 25 min and subsequent reperfusion. Sham and BCCAo animals received minocycline at a dose of 30 mg/kg by intraperitoneal injection during 14 days. The locomotor activity, depression and anxiety-like behaviors were assessed by open field, forced swim and elevated plus maze tests, respectively. Then, the brains were removed and processed to evaluate brain damage by histological and morphometric analysis, hippocampal neurodegeneration using Fluoro-Jade C histochemistry, microglial activity using iba-1 immunohistochemistry, brain levels of TNF, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p70 and CCL2 by CBA, CX3CL1 and BDNF by ELISA assays. The animals developed depression and anxiety-like behaviors post-stroke and minocycline treatment prevented those neurobehavioral changes. Moreover, minocycline-treated BCCAo animals showed less intense brain damage in the cerebral cortex, brainstem and cerebellum as well as significantly reduced hippocampal neurodegeneration. BCCAo groups exhibited up-regulation of some cytokines at day 14 after ischemia and brain levels of CX3CL1 and BDNF remained unaltered. Our data indicate that the depression and anxiety-like behavioral improvements promoted by minocycline treatment might be related to its neuroprotective effect after brain ischemia in mice.

Automated brain volumetrics in multiple sclerosis: a step closer to clinical application

BACKGROUND

Whole brain volume (WBV) estimates in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) correlate more robustly with clinical disability than traditional, lesion-based metrics. Numerous algorithms to measure WBV have been developed over the past two decades. We compare Structural Image Evaluation using Normalisation of Atrophy-Cross-sectional (SIENAX) to NeuroQuant and MSmetrix, for assessment of cross-sectional WBV in patients with MS.

METHODS

MRIs from 61 patients with relapsing-remitting MS and 2 patients with clinically isolated syndrome were analysed. WBV measurements were calculated using SIENAX, NeuroQuant and MSmetrix. Statistical agreement between the methods was evaluated using linear regression and Bland-Altman plots. Precision and accuracy of WBV measurement was calculated for (1) NeuroQuant versus SIENAX and (2) MSmetrix versus SIENAX.

RESULTS

Precision (Pearson's r) of WBV estimation for NeuroQuant and MSmetrix versus SIENAX was 0.983 and 0.992, respectively. Accuracy (Cb) was 0.871 and 0.994, respectively. NeuroQuant and MSmetrix showed a 5.5% and 1.0% volume difference compared with SIENAX, respectively, that was consistent across low and high values.

CONCLUSIONS

In the analysed population, NeuroQuant and MSmetrix both quantified cross-sectional WBV with comparable statistical agreement to SIENAX, a well-validated cross-sectional tool that has been used extensively in MS clinical studies.

Role of the suppressor of cytokine signaling 2 (SOCS2) during meningoencephalitis caused by Bovine herpesvirus 5 (BoHV-5)

The role of suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) in meningoencephalitis caused by Bovine herpesvirus 5 (BoHV-5) was evaluated by intracranial infection in C57BL/6 wild-type mice (WT) and SOCS2 deficient mice (SOCS2(-/-)). Both infected groups presented weight loss, ruffled fur and hunched posture. Additionally, infected SOCS2(-/-) mice showed swollen chamfer and progressive depression. Infected WT animals developed mild meningitis, characterized by infiltration of mononuclear cells. Moreover, viral DNA was detected in liver and lung from infected WT group. This group also showed elevated brain levels of IFN-γ, IL-10, CXCL1 and CCL5, when compared with non-infected WT animals. Brain inflammation was exacerbated in infected SOCS2(-/-) mice with widespread distribution of the virus and increased brain levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-12, CXCL1 and CCL5, when compared with WT infected mice. Moreover, infected SOCS2 deficient mice exhibited reduced brain mRNA expression of IFNα and IFNβ and increased expression of mRNA of SOCS1, compared with infected WT mice. Taken together, our study provides an insight into the role of SOCS2 in modulating the immune response to BoHV-5 infection.

Prevention of Autoimmune Diabetes through Immunostimulation with Q Fever Complement-Fixing Antigen

The most promising strategies for prevention of type 1 diabetes seem to be in the categories of immunomodulation (e.g., nondepleting anti-CD3, Diapep, linomide) and/or immunostimulation (e.g., QFA, BCG). We are currently undertaking a research program directed toward better understanding of immunostimulants to help maximize the likelihood of success of future human clinical trials for diabetes prevention. This program is focused on the key areas of optimization of vaccine dose and route of administration, development of surrogate immune markers, and elucidation of the mechanism of protection. The mechanism whereby QFA protects against diabetes currently is not known. The elucidation of the mechanism should help identify the optimal way in which to administer QFA to provide diabetes protection. It may also assist the development of even more potent immunostimulatory vaccines.

Diltiazem improves left ventricular systolic function following acute myocardial infarction treated with streptokinase. The Calcium Antagonist in Reperfusion Study (CARES) Group

The role of diltiazem on left ventricular systolic function was analyzed in 101 patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with streptokinase, being obtained, for the total of the population, higher LV global ejection fraction (p = 0.022), LV regional shortening (p = 0.046) and LV global shortening (p = 0.064) for the treated group, relative to the placebo group; the p values were, respectively, 0.005, 0.009, and 0.012, for patients that achieved TIMI-3 antegrade coronary flow. It is concluded that diltiazem is useful as adjuvant to streptokinase, especially when antegrade coronary blood flow TIMI-3 is obtained.

Oviductal cilial phagocytosis in patients undergoing tubal reanastomosis

Chronic salpingitis has been reported in patients undergoing reversal of sterilization. For investigation of a possible microbial etiology for this process and characterization of its ultrastructural features, segments from the midportion of the fallopian tubes of five patients who underwent sterilization reversal were studied by comprehensive tubal cultures, and light and electron microscopy. Three patients undergoing sterilization by partial salpingectomy were studied as controls. Chlamydial IgG and IgM antibody titers were performed on serum samples. No microbiologic or serologic evidence for active infection by known pathogens was found. In three of the study patients mild oviductal mural fibrosis was present. However, in two other study patients chronic salpingitis with phagocytosis of cilia by luminal macrophages was demonstrated. It is suggested that if this active process persists after tubal reanastomosis, it may result in impaired oviductal function.

Management of condyloma acuminatum

This article describes an approach to the evaluation and treatment of condyloma acuminatum (anogenital warts) that is based on the results of new clinical research on the biology of the human papillomavirus. A more extensive diagnostic protocol, including routine cervicovaginal examination and Papanicolaou smear, is proposed for female patients because of the close association of genital human papillomavirus infections with cervical carcinoma. Two highly effective therapies, cryosurgery and carbon dioxide laser photocoagulation, are described and compared with older regimens. Recent developments in immunotherapy for resistant condyloma acuminatum are also discussed.

Histiocytosis X

A patient with histiocytosis X had nonhealing mouth lesions. Evaluation revealed diabetes insipidus and numerous bony lesions. Electron microscopy of the mouth lesions and lymph nodes did not indicate Langerhans cells, which have frequently been described as occurring in histiocytosis X. A survey of 59 patients examined during a 20-year period at UCLA reported the presence of oral lesions in 42% of the cases and confirmed the occurrence of a wide range of clinical patterns and variations in the course of the disease.

The fine structure of enterochromaffin cells in the mouse colon

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