Utility of 'substance use disorder' as a heuristic for understanding overeating and obesity

Rates of obesity and obesity-associated diseases have increased dramatically in countries with developed economies. Substance use disorders (SUDs) are characterized by the persistent use of the substance despite negative consequences. It has been hypothesized that overconsumption of palatable energy dense food can elicit SUD-like maladaptive behaviors that contribute to persistent caloric intake beyond homeostatic need even in the face of negative consequences. Palatable food and drugs of abuse act on many of the same motivation-related circuits in the brain, and can induce, at least superficially, similar molecular, cellular, and physiological adaptations on these circuits. As such, applying knowledge about the neurobiological mechanisms of SUDs may serve as useful heuristic to better understand the persistent overconsumption of palatable food that contributes to obesity. However, many important differences exist between the actions of drugs of abuse and palatable food in the brain. This warrants caution when attributing weight gain and obesity to the manifestation of a putative SUD-related behavioral disorder. Here, we describe similarities and differences between compulsive drug use in SUDs and overconsumption in obesity and consider the merit of the concept of "food addiction".

Opposing roles for striatonigral and striatopallidal neurons in dorsolateral striatum in consolidating new instrumental actions

Comparatively little is known about how new instrumental actions are encoded in the brain. Using whole-brain c-Fos mapping, we show that neural activity is increased in the anterior dorsolateral striatum (aDLS) of mice that successfully learn a new lever-press response to earn food rewards. Post-learning chemogenetic inhibition of aDLS disrupts consolidation of the new instrumental response. Similarly, post-learning infusion of the protein synthesis inhibitor anisomycin into the aDLS disrupts consolidation of the new response. Activity of D1 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (D1-MSNs) increases and D2-MSNs activity decreases in the aDLS during consolidation. Chemogenetic inhibition of D1-MSNs in aDLS disrupts the consolidation process whereas D2-MSN inhibition strengthens consolidation but blocks the expression of previously learned habit-like responses. These findings suggest that D1-MSNs in the aDLS encode new instrumental actions whereas D2-MSNs oppose this new learning and instead promote expression of habitual actions.

Dopaminylation of histone H3 in ventral tegmental area regulates cocaine seeking

Vulnerability to relapse during periods of attempted abstinence from cocaine use is hypothesized to result from the rewiring of brain reward circuitries, particularly ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons. How cocaine exposures act on midbrain dopamine neurons to precipitate addiction-relevant changes in gene expression is unclear. We found that histone H3 glutamine 5 dopaminylation (H3Q5dop) plays a critical role in cocaine-induced transcriptional plasticity in the midbrain. Rats undergoing withdrawal from cocaine showed an accumulation of H3Q5dop in the VTA. By reducing H3Q5dop in the VTA during withdrawal, we reversed cocaine-mediated gene expression changes, attenuated dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens, and reduced cocaine-seeking behavior. These findings establish a neurotransmission-independent role for nuclear dopamine in relapse-related transcriptional plasticity in the VTA.

Modifiable predictors of depression following childhood maltreatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Although maltreatment experiences in childhood increase the risk for depression, not all maltreated children become depressed. This review aims to systematically examine the existing literature to identify modifiable factors that increase vulnerability to, or act as a buffer against, depression, and could therefore inform the development of targeted interventions. Thirteen databases (including Medline, PsychINFO, SCOPUS) were searched (between 1984 and 2014) for prospective, longitudinal studies published in English that included at least 300 participants and assessed associations between childhood maltreatment and later depression. The study quality was assessed using an adapted Newcastle-Ottawa Scale checklist. Meta-analyses (random effects models) were performed on combined data to estimate the effect size of the association between maltreatment and depression. Meta-regressions were used to explore effects of study size and quality. We identified 22 eligible articles (N=12 210 participants), of which 6 examined potential modifiable predictors of depression following maltreatment. No more than two studies examined the same modifiable predictor; therefore, it was not possible to examine combined effects of modifiable predictors with meta-regression. It is thus difficult to draw firm conclusions from this study, but initial findings indicate that interpersonal relationships, cognitive vulnerabilities and behavioral difficulties may be modifiable predictors of depression following maltreatment. There is a lack of well-designed, prospective studies on modifiable predictors of depression following maltreatment. A small amount of initial research suggests that modifiable predictors of depression may be specific to maltreatment subtypes and gender. Corroboration and further investigation of causal mechanisms is required to identify novel targets for intervention, and to inform guidelines for the effective treatment of maltreated children.

All Roads Lead to the miRNome: miRNAs Have a Central Role in the Molecular Pathophysiology of Psychiatric Disorders

Current treatment strategies for psychiatric disorders remain inadequate. Impeding development of novel therapeutics is our incomplete knowledge of the molecular pathophysiology underlying these disorders. Changes to miRNA function and expression are increasingly being associated with pathological behavioral states. Furthermore, the prospect of using of miRNA expression profiles (the miRNome) as objective psychiatric diagnosis tools is gaining traction. In this review, we focus on recent findings surrounding the link between miRNA function and psychiatric disorders, and outline some of the key challenges that will need to be overcome if the therapeutic potential of these molecular effectors is to be fully realized.

Chronic P-glycoprotein inhibition increases the brain concentration of escitalopram: potential implications for treating depression

Recent preclinical studies have revealed a functionally important role for the drug efflux pump P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) at the blood–brain barrier in limiting brain levels and thus antidepressant‐like activity of certain antidepressant drugs. Specifically, acute administration of P‐gp inhibitors, such as verapamil and cyclosporin A (CsA), has been shown to augment brain concentrations and functional activity of the antidepressant escitalopram in rodents. However, depression is a chronic disorder and current treatments require prolonged administration to elicit their full therapeutic effect. Thus, it is important to investigate whether acute findings in relation to P‐gp inhibition translate to chronic paradigms. To this end, the present study investigates whether chronic treatment with the P‐gp inhibitor verapamil and the antidepressant escitalopram results in enhanced brain distribution and antidepressant‐like effects of escitalopram. Verapamil (10 mg·kg⁻¹ i.p.) and escitalopram (0.1 mg·kg⁻¹ i.p.) were administered once daily for 22 days. On the final day of treatment, brain regions and plasma were collected for analysis of cortical and plasma escitalopram concentrations, and to determine the hippocampal expression of genes previously reported to be altered by chronic antidepressant treatment. Verapamil treatment resulted in a greater than twofold increase in brain levels of escitalopram, without altering plasma levels. Neither gene expression analysis nor behavioral testing revealed an augmentation of responses to escitalopram treatment due to verapamil administration. Taken together, these data demonstrate for the first time that P‐gp inhibition can yield elevated brain concentrations of an antidepressant after chronic treatment. The functional relevance of these increased brain levels requires further elaboration.

Negative allosteric modulation of the mGlu7 receptor reduces visceral hypersensitivity in a stress-sensitive rat strain

Glutamate, the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, exerts its effect through ionotropic and metabotropic receptors. Of these, group III mGlu receptors (mGlu 4, 6, 7, 8) are among the least studied due to a lack of pharmacological tools. mGlu7 receptors, the most highly conserved isoform, are abundantly distributed in the brain, especially in regions, such as the amygdala, known to be crucial for the emotional processing of painful stimuli. Visceral hypersensitivity is a poorly understood phenomenon manifesting as an increased sensitivity to visceral stimuli. Glutamate has long been associated with somatic pain processing leading us to postulate that crossover may exist between these two modalities. Moreover, stress has been shown to exacerbate visceral pain. ADX71743 is a novel, centrally penetrant, negative allosteric modulator of mGlu7 receptors. Thus, we used this tool to explore the possible involvement of this receptor in the mediation of visceral pain in a stress-sensitive model of visceral hypersensitivity, namely the Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rat. ADX71743 reduced visceral hypersensitivity in the WKY rat as exhibited by increased visceral sensitivity threshold with concomitant reductions in total number of pain behaviours. Moreover, AD71743 increased total distance and distance travelled in the inner zone of the open field. These findings show, for what is to our knowledge, the first time, that mGlu7 receptor signalling plays a role in visceral pain processing. Thus, negative modulation of the mGlu7 receptor may be a plausible target for the amelioration of stress-induced visceral pain where there is a large unmet medical need.

The orthosteric GABAA receptor ligand Thio-4-PIOL displays distinctly different functional properties at synaptic and extrasynaptic receptors

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Explorations into the heterogeneous population of native GABA type A receptors (GABAA Rs) and the physiological functions governed by the multiple GABAA R subtypes have for decades been hampered by the lack of subtype-selective ligands.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

The functional properties of the orthosteric GABAA receptor ligand 5-(4-piperidyl)-3-isothiazolol (Thio-4-PIOL) have been investigated in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo.

KEY RESULTS

Thio-4-PIOL displayed substantial partial agonist activity at the human extrasynaptic GABAA R subtypes expressed in Xenopus oocytes, eliciting maximal responses of up to ∼30% of that of GABA at α5 β3 γ2S , α4 β3 δ and α6 β3 δ and somewhat lower efficacies at the corresponding α5 β2 γ2S , α4 β2 δ and α6 β2 δ subtypes (maximal responses of 4-12%). In contrast, it was an extremely low efficacious agonist at the α1 β3 γ2S , α1 β2 γ2S , α2 β2 γ2S , α2 β3 γ2S , α3 β2 γ2S and α3 β3 γ2S GABAA Rs (maximal responses of 0-4%). In concordance with its agonism at extrasynaptic GABAA Rs and its de facto antagonism at the synaptic receptors, Thio-4-PIOL elicited robust tonic currents in electrophysiological recordings on slices from rat CA1 hippocampus and ventrobasal thalamus and antagonized phasic currents in hippocampal neurons. Finally, the observed effects of Thio-4-PIOL in rat tests of anxiety, locomotion, nociception and spatial memory were overall in good agreement with its in vitro and ex vivo properties.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

The diverse signalling characteristics of Thio-4-PIOL at GABAA Rs represent one of the few examples of a functionally subtype-selective orthosteric GABAA R ligand reported to date. We propose that Thio-4-PIOL could be a useful pharmacological tool in future studies exploring the physiological roles of native synaptic and extrasynaptic GABAA Rs.

P-glycoprotein inhibition increases the brain distribution and antidepressant-like activity of escitalopram in rodents

Despite the clinical prevalence of the antidepressant escitalopram, over 30% of escitalopram-treated patients fail to respond to treatment. Recent gene association studies have highlighted a potential link between the drug efflux transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and response to escitalopram. The present studies investigated pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions between P-gp and escitalopram. In vitro bidirectional transport studies revealed that escitalopram is a transported substrate of human P-gp. Microdialysis-based pharmacokinetic studies demonstrated that administration of the P-gp inhibitor cyclosporin A resulted in increased brain levels of escitalopram without altering plasma escitalopram levels in the rat, thereby showing that P-gp restricts escitalopram transport across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in vivo. The tail suspension test (TST) was carried out to elucidate the pharmacodynamic impact of P-gp inhibition on escitalopram effect in a mouse model of antidepressant activity. Pre-treatment with the P-gp inhibitor verapamil enhanced the response to escitalopram in the TST. Taken together, these data indicate that P-gp may restrict the BBB transport of escitalopram in humans, potentially resulting in subtherapeutic brain concentrations in certain patients. Moreover, by verifying that increasing escitalopram delivery to the brain by P-gp inhibition results in enhanced antidepressant-like activity, we suggest that adjunctive treatment with a P-gp inhibitor may represent a beneficial approach to augment escitalopram therapy in depression.

Adult siRNA-induced knockdown of mGlu7 receptors reduces anxiety in the mouse

Our knowledge regarding the molecular pathophysiology underlying anxiety disorders remains incomplete. Increasing evidence points to a role of glutamate in anxiety. The group III metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlu4, mGlu6, mGlu7 and mGlu8 receptors) remain the least investigated glutamate receptor subtypes partially due to a delay in the development of specific pharmacological tools. Early work using knockout animals and pharmacological tools aimed at investigating the role of mGlu7 receptor in the pathophysiology of anxiety disorders has yielded exciting yet not always consistent results. To further investigate the role this receptor plays in anxiety-like behaviour, we knocked down mGlu7 receptor mRNA levels in the adult mouse brain using siRNA delivered via an osmotic minipump. This reduced anxiety-like behaviour in the light-dark box coupled with an attenuation of stress-induced hyperthermia (SIH) and a reduction of the acoustic startle response (ASRs) in the fear-potentiated startle paradigm (FPS). These effects on anxiety-like behaviour were independent of any impairment of locomotor activity and surprisingly, no behavioural changes were observed in the forced swim test (FST), which is in contrast to mGlu7 receptor knockout animals. Furthermore, the previously reported epilepsy-prone phenotype seen in mGlu7 receptor knockout animals was not observed following siRNA-induced knockdown of the receptor. These data suggest targeting mGlu7 receptors with selective antagonist drugs may be an effective and safe strategy for the treatment of anxiety disorders.

Regulation of the brain-gut axis by group III metabotropic glutamate receptors

L-glutamate is produced by a great variety of peripheral tissues in both health and disease. Like other components of the glutamatergic system, metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors also have a widespread distribution outside the central nervous system (CNS). In particular, group III mGlu receptors have been recently found in human stomach and colon revealing an extraordinary potential for these receptors in the treatment of peripheral disorders, including gastrointestinal dysfunction. The significance of these findings is that pharmacological tools originally designed for mGlu receptors in the CNS may also be directed towards new disease targets in the periphery. Targeting mGlu receptors can also be beneficial in the treatment of disorders involving central components together with gastrointestinal dysfunction, such as irritable bowel syndrome, which can be co-morbid with anxiety and depression. Conversely, the development of more specific therapeutic approaches for mGlu ligands both centrally as in the gut will depend on the elucidation of tissue-specific elements in mGlu receptor signalling.

Riluzole normalizes early-life stress-induced visceral hypersensitivity in rats: role of spinal glutamate reuptake mechanisms

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The molecular basis underlying visceral hypersensitivity in functional irritable bowel syndrome remains elusive, resulting in poor treatment effectiveness. Because alterations in spinal non-neuronal (astrocytic) glutamate reuptake are suspected to participate in chronic pain, we asked whether such processes occur in visceral hypersensitivity.

METHODS

Visceral hypersensitivity was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by maternal separation. Separated adults were given a systemic administration of riluzole (5 mg/kg), an approved neuroprotective agent activating glutamate reuptake. Visceral hypersensitivity was assessed using colorectal distension (40 mm Hg). Somatic nociception was quantified using Hot Plate, Randall-Sellito, and Hargreaves tests. Spinal proteins were quantified using immunofluorescence and Western blot. The dependence of visceral sensory function upon spinal glutamate transport was evaluated by intrathecal injection of glutamate transport antagonist DL-threo-beta-benzyloxyaspartate (TBOA). For in vitro testing of riluzole and TBOA, primary cultures of astrocytes were used.

RESULTS

We show that riluzole counteracts stress-induced visceral hypersensitivity without affecting visceral response in nonseparated rats or altering nociceptive responses to somatic pain stimulation. In addition, maternal separation produces a reduction in glial excitatory amino acid transporter (EAAT)-1 with no change in EAAT-2 or gamma-amino butyric acid transporters. Stress was not associated with changes in glial fibrillary acidic protein or astrocytic morphology per se. Furthermore, visceral normosensitivity relies on spinal EAAT, as intrathecal TBOA is sufficient to induce hypersensitivity in normal rats.

CONCLUSIONS

We identify spinal EAAT as a therapeutic target, and establish riluzole as a candidate to counteract gastrointestinal hypersensitivity in disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome.

Metabotropic glutamate receptor 7: at the interface of cognition and emotion

Understanding the complex interaction between stress and genetics that leads to the manifestation of disorders such as depression, anxiety, and cognitive dysfunction is one of the key areas of research in modern neuroscience. Growing evidence suggests that the glutamatergic system may be a relevant therapeutic target for such disorders. Glutamate is the neurotransmitter at the vast majority of excitatory synapses in the brain, and metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptor subtypes (mGlu(1) receptor-mGlu(8) receptor) act as important pre- and postsynaptic regulators of neurotransmission in the central nervous system (CNS), providing a mechanism by which fast synaptic responses through ligand-gated cation channels can be fine-tuned. Thus mGlu receptors are poised to participate in a wide variety of functions of the CNS. The presynaptic mGlu(7) receptor shows the highest evolutionary conservation within the family and it is thought to regulate neurotransmitter release. The mGlu(7) receptor is also the most widely distributed of the presynaptic mGlu receptors and is present at a broad range of synapses that are postulated to be critical for both normal CNS function and a range of psychiatric and neurological disorders. A growing body of evidence suggests that the mGlu(7) receptor is a key player in shaping synaptic responses at glutamatergic synapses as well as being a key regulator of inhibitory GABAergic transmission. The development of selective pharmacological and genetic tools has allowed for the unravelling of mGlu(7) receptor function in a host of physiological and behavioural processes. Knockout mice and siRNA knockdown has pointed to a role of the mGlu(7) receptor in anxiety, extinction of fear and aversion learning, spatial memory and the hormonal response to stress. In addition, these studies are largely supported by pharmacological manipulation of mGlu(7) receptor using the selective modulator N,N'-dibenzhydrylethane-1,2-diamine dihydrochloride (AMN082), although paradoxical effects with this agonist have also emerged. Together these data suggest that the mGlu(7) receptor is an important regulator of glutamatergic function, of fear and aversion and cognition and thus this receptor represents an innovative therapeutic target for stress-related disorders at the interface of cognition and anxiety.

Expression of Cpgp40/15 in Toxoplasma gondii: a surrogate system for the study of Cryptosporidium glycoprotein antigens

Cryptosporidium parvum is a waterborne enteric coccidian that causes diarrheal disease in a wide range of hosts. Development of successful therapies is hampered by the inability to culture the parasite and the lack of a transfection system for genetic manipulation. The glycoprotein products of the Cpgp40/15 gene, gp40 and gp15, are involved in C. parvum sporozoite attachment to and invasion of host cells and, as such, may be good targets for anticryptosporidial therapies. However, the function of these antigens appears to be dependent on the presence of multiple O-linked alpha-N-acetylgalactosamine (alpha-GalNAc) determinants. A eukaryotic expression system that would produce proteins bearing glycosylation patterns similar to those found on the native C. parvum glycoproteins would greatly facilitate the molecular and functional characterization of these antigens. As a unique approach to this problem, the Cpgp40/15 gene was transiently expressed in Toxoplasma gondii, and the expressed recombinant glycoproteins were characterized. Antisera to gp40 and gp15 reacted with the surface membranes of tachyzoites expressing the Cpgp40/15 construct, and this reactivity colocalized with that of antiserum to the T. gondii surface protein SAG1. Surface membrane localization was dependent on the presence of the glycophosphatidylinositol anchor attachment site present in the gp15 coding sequence. The presence of terminal O-linked alpha-GalNAc determinants on the T. gondii recombinant gp40 was confirmed by reactivity with Helix pomatia lectin and the monoclonal antibody 4E9, which recognizes alpha-GalNAc residues, and digestion with alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase. In addition to appropriate localization and glycosylation, T. gondii apparently processes the gp40/15 precursor into the gp40 and gp15 component glycopolypeptides, albeit inefficiently. These results suggest that a surrogate system using T. gondii for the study of Cryptosporidium biology may be useful.

Selection of Babesia bovis-infected erythrocytes for adhesion to endothelial cells coselects for altered variant erythrocyte surface antigen isoforms

Sequestration of Babesia bovis-infected erythrocytes (IRBCs) in the host microvasculature is thought to constitute an important mechanism of immune evasion. Since Ig is considered to be important for protection from disease, an in vitro assay of B. bovis sequestration was used to explore the ability of anti-B. bovis Ig to interfere with IRBC cytoadhesion, and to identify IRBC surface Ags acting as endothelial cell receptors. Bovine infection sera reactive with the IRBC surface inhibited and even reversed the binding of IRBCs to bovine brain capillary endothelial cells (BBECs). This activity is at least partially attributable to serum IgG. IgG isolated from inhibitory serum captured the variant erythrocyte surface ag 1 (VESA1) in surface-specific immunoprecipitations of B. bovis-IRBCs. Selection for the cytoadhesive phenotype concurrently selected for antigenic and structural changes in the VESA1 Ag. In addition, the anti-VESA1 mAb, 4D9.1G1, proved capable of effectively inhibiting and reversing binding of adhesive, mAb-reactive parasites to BBECs, and by immunoelectron microscopy localized VESA1 to the external tips of the IRBC membrane knobs. These data are consistent with a link between antigenic variation and cytoadherence in B. bovis and suggest that the VESA1 Ag acts as an endothelial cell ligand on the B. bovis-IRBC.

The ves multigene family of B. bovis encodes components of rapid antigenic variation at the infected erythrocyte surface

B. bovis, an intraerythrocytic protozoal parasite, establishes chronic infections in cattle in part through rapid variation of the polymorphic, heterodimeric VESA1 protein on the infected erythrocyte surface and sequestration of mature parasites. We describe the characterization of the ves1 alpha gene encoding the VESA1a subunit, thus providing a description of a gene whose product is involved in rapid antigenic variation in a babesial parasite. This three-exon gene, a member of a multigene family (ves), encodes a polypeptide with no cleavable signal sequence, a single predicted transmembrane segment, and a cysteine/lysine-rich domain. Variation appears to involve creation and modification or loss of a novel, transcribed copy of the gene.

Cytoadherence of Babesia bovis-infected erythrocytes to bovine brain capillary endothelial cells provides an in vitro model for sequestration

Babesia bovis, an intraerythrocytic parasite of cattle, is sequestered in the host microvasculature, a behavior associated with cerebral and vascular complications of this disease. Despite the importance of this behavior to disease etiology, the underlying mechanisms have not yet been investigated. To study the components involved in sequestration, B. bovis parasites that induce adhesion of the infected erythrocytes (IRBCs) to bovine brain capillary endothelial cells (BBEC) in vitro were isolated. Two clonal lines, CD7(A+I+) and CE11(A+I-), were derived from a cytoadherent, monoclonal antibody 4D9.1G1-reactive parasite population. This antibody recognizes a variant, surface-exposed epitope of the variant erythrocyte surface antigen 1 (VESA1) of B. bovis IRBCs. Both clonal lines were cytoadhesive to BBEC and two other bovine endothelial cell lines but not to COS7 cells, FBK-4 cells, C32 melanoma cells, or bovine brain pericytes. By transmission electron microscopy, IRBCs were observed to bind to BBEC via the knobby protrusions on the IRBC surface, indicating involvement of components associated with these structures. Inhibition of protein export in intact, trypsinized IRBCs ablated both erythrocyte surface reexpression of parasite protein and cytoadhesion. IRBCs allowed to recover surface antigen expression regained the ability to bind endothelial cells, demonstrating that parasite protein export is required for cytoadhesion. We propose the use of this assay as an in vitro model to study the components involved in B. bovis cytoadherence and sequestration.

Cryptosporidium parvum sporozoite pellicle antigen recognized by a neutralizing monoclonal antibody is a beta-mannosylated glycolipid

The protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium parvum is an important cause of diarrhea in humans, calves, and other mammals worldwide. No approved vaccines or parasite-specific drugs are currently available for the control of cryptosporidiosis. To effectively immunize against C. parvum, identification and characterization of protective antigens are required. We previously identified CPS-500, a conserved, neutralization-sensitive antigen of C. parvum sporozoites and merozoites defined by monoclonal antibody 18.44. In the present study, the biochemical characteristics and subcellular location of CPS-500 were determined. CPS-500 was chloroform extractable and eluted with acetone and methanol in silicic acid chromatography, consistent with being a polar glycolipid. Following chloroform extraction and silicic acid chromatography, CPS-500 was isolated by high-pressure liquid chromatography for glycosyl analysis, which indicated the presence of mannose and inositol. To identify which component of CPS-500 comprised the neutralization-sensitive epitope recognized by 18.44, the ability of the monoclonal antibody to bind CPS-500 treated with proteases, or with alpha- or beta-glycosidases, was determined. Monoclonal antibody 18.44 did not bind antigen treated with beta-D-mannosidase but did bind antigen treated with alpha-D-mannosidase, other alpha- or beta-glycosidases, or a panel of proteases. These data indicated that the target epitope was dependent on terminal beta-D-mannopyranosyl residues. By immunoelectron microscopy, 18.44 binding was localized to the pellicle and an intracytoplasmic tubulovesicular network in sporozoites. Monoclonal antibody 18.44 also bound to antigen deposited and released onto substrate over the course travelled by gliding sporozoites and merozoites. Surface localization, adhesion and release during locomotion, and neutralization sensitivity suggest that CPS-500 may be involved in motility and invasion processes of the infective zoite stages.

Characterization of a variant erythrocyte surface antigen (VESA1) expressed by Babesia bovis during antigenic variation

Babesia bovis, an intraerythrocytic, protozoal parasite of cattle, undergoes clonal antigenic variation (Allred DR, Cinque RM, Lane TJ, Ahrens KP. Infect Immun 1994;62:91-98). This ability could provide a mechanism by which the parasite escapes host immune defenses to establish chronic infection. Previous work identified two parasite-derived antigens of Mr 128,000 and 113,000 that were present on the surface of the infected erythrocyte and appeared to be associated with clonal antigenic variation (Allred DR, Cinque RM, Lane TJ, Ahrens KP. Infect Immun 1994;62:91 98). Two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), 3F7.1H11 and 4D9.1G1, which recognize the variant erythrocyte surface antigen (VESA1) have been identified. These mAbs react only with the surface of erythrocytes infected with the B. bovis C9.1 clone in live-cell immunofluorescence assays. In both conventional and surface immunoprecipitations, the mAbs precipitate a variant antigen doublet that matches in mass the infected red blood cell (IRBC) surface antigens precipitated with bovine serum. In contrast, Western blot analysis revealed that only the Mr 128,000 polypeptide is recognized by the mAbs. Neither mAb recognizes antigenically variant progenitor or progeny parasite clones in any of the immunoassays, confirming the involvement of this antigen in rapid clonal antigenic variation. Failure to label this antigen with [9,10(n)-3H]myristic acid, [9,10(n)-3H]palmitic acid or D-[6-3H]glucosamine indicates that these polypeptides are neither N-glycosylated nor fatty acylated. Identity of the variant antigen recognized by the mAbs with that putatively identified with immune serum was confirmed by comparison of partial proteolytic digestion products. Unambiguous identification of the VESA1 antigen as a component of antigenic variation will facilitate characterization of the events leading to antigenic variation on the B. bovis-infected erythrocyte surface and its significance to parasite survival during chronic infection.

Neutralization-sensitive epitopes are conserved among geographically diverse isolates of Cryptosporidium parvum

Isolates of Cryptosporidium parvum from New York, Florida, Brazil, Mexico, and Peru were examined for the presence of two sporozoite surface epitopes originally identified in an Iowa isolate by neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) 18.44 and 17.41. Immunofluorescence microscopy and immunoblotting demonstrated the presence of both epitopes on all isolates. Incubation of DEAE-cellulose-purified sporozoites of the New York, Florida, Brazil, and Mexico isolates with MAb 18.44 or 17.41 significantly neutralized their infectivity for 4- to 6-day-old BALB/c mice. The results indicate that two neutralization-sensitive epitopes are conserved on geographically diverse C. parvum isolates.

Acute and chronic hormone and metabolite changes in lambs fed the beta-agonist, cimaterol

The objective of this study was to determine if acute and chronic changes in circulating metabolic hormone and metabolite concentrations are associated with beta-agonist-induced nutrient repartitioning in young growing lambs. Two groups of 12 Dorset and Dorset-Finn cross ram lambs weighing 36 or 33 kg live weight were assigned to 3- or 6-week treatment intervals, respectively, to achieve similar slaughter weights. Six lambs within each treatment interval were fed ad libitum a complete mixed high-concentrate diet containing either 0 or 10 ppm cimaterol. During the first 12 hr of cimaterol administration plasma somatotropin (ST), thyroxine (T4), and triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations were not altered by treatment, but plasma insulin, glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and glycerol concentrations were elevated 2 hr after ingestion. These acute responses suggest direct stimulation of glycogenolysis and lipolysis by cimaterol, which is characteristic of beta-adrenergic alteration of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Chronic administration of cimaterol significantly decreased insulin concentrations by 36% and 52% at 3 and 6 weeks, respectively, while glucose concentrations remained unchanged. Serum IGF-I concentrations were not significantly altered by cimaterol. T4 levels were reduced 22.1% after 3 weeks of cimaterol treatment. Although plasma NEFA concentrations were chronically elevated 56% to 65% in lambs fed cimaterol, plasma glycerol concentrations remained at baseline levels. The relative changes in plasma NEFA and glycerol concentrations are consistent with a decreased rate of lipogenesis, rather than an increase in lipolysis.

Temporal pattern of skeletal muscle changes in lambs fed cimaterol

The objectives of this study were to compare the efficacy of 3-week vs 6-week dietary administration of the beta-adrenergic agonist cimaterol on skeletal muscle growth, and to measure the changes in muscle nucleic acid and protein concentration and content to provide evidence regarding the mechanism(s) by which cimaterol stimulates muscle hypertrophy in growing ruminants. Two groups of 12 Dorset or Dorset-Finn cross ram lambs weighing 36 kg or 33 kg were assigned to treatment intervals of 3 or 6 weeks, respectively. Lambs within each weight group were randomly assigned to receive 0 or 10 ppm cimaterol in a complete mixed diet fed ad libitum. Initial live weights and treatment periods were chosen to achieve similar slaughter weights. Cimaterol increased the mass of three hind leg muscles 30% and 25% on average (both P less than .001) with 3- and 6-week administration, respectively, resulting in identical average muscle weights of treated lambs at both treatment intervals. The mean mass of these 3 muscles, expressed as a percentage of body weight, was increased 18.6% (P less than .001) at both treatment intervals. RNA concentration and content of the semitendinosus muscle were increased 24.8% (P less than .01) and 84.6% (P less than .001), respectively, after 3 weeks of treatment, but neither was significantly different from controls after 6 weeks. DNA concentration in the muscle was reduced 42% (P less than .05) with 3-week cimaterol administration, and was 25% less than controls (P greater than .05) in lambs fed cimaterol for 6 weeks. Total DNA content of the semitendinosus was unchanged at either treatment interval.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Respiratory-deficient mutants of Torulopsis glabrata, a yeast with circular mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid of 6 mu m

Purified mitochondria from the petite positive yeast Torulopsis glabrata contain a circular deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) with a length of 6 mum and a buoyant density of 1.686 g/cm3. This DNA is absent from ethidium bromide induced respiratory-deficient mutants.