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Albers TM, Henderson KS, Mulder GB, Shek WR. Pathogen Prevalence Estimates and Diagnostic Methodology Trends in Laboratory Mice and Rats from 2003 to 2020. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci 2023; 62:229-242. [PMID: 37127407 PMCID: PMC10230541 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-jaalas-22-000097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Rodents used in biomedical research are maintained as specific pathogen-free (SPF) by employing biosecurity measures that eliminate and exclude adventitious infectious agents known to confound research. The efficacy of these practices is assessed by routine laboratory testing referred to as health monitoring (HM). This study summarizes the results of HM performed at Charles River Research Animal Diagnostic Services (CR-RADS) on samples submitted by external (non-Charles River) clients between 2003 and 2020. Summarizing this vast amount of data has been made practicable by the recent introduction of end-user business intelligence tools to Excel. HM summaries include the number of samples tested and the percent positive by diagnostic methodology, including direct examination for parasites, cultural isolation and identification for bacteria, serology for antibodies to viruses and fastidious microorganisms, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for pathogen-specific genomic sequences. Consistent with comparable studies, the percentages of pathogen-positive samples by diagnostic methodology and year interval are referred to as period prevalence estimates (%PE). These %PE substantiate the elimination of once common respiratory pathogens, such as Sendai virus, and reductions in the prevalence of other agents considered common, such as the rodent coronaviruses and parvoviruses. Conversely, the %PE of certain pathogens, for example, murine norovirus (MNV), Helicobacter, Rodentibacter, and parasites remain high, perhaps due to the increasing exchange of genetically engineered mutant (GEM) rodents among researchers and the challenges and high cost of eliminating these agents from rodent housing facilities. Study results also document the growing role of PCR in HM because of its applicability to all pathogen types and its high specificity and sensitivity; moreover, PCR can detect pathogens in samples collected antemortem directly from colony animals and from the environment, thereby improving the detection of host-adapted, environmentally unstable pathogens that are not efficiently transmitted to sentinels by soiled bedding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa M Albers
- Research Animal Models and Services, Charles River Laboratories, Wilmington, Massachusetts
| | - Kenneth S Henderson
- Research Animal Models and Services, Charles River Laboratories, Wilmington, Massachusetts
| | - Guy B Mulder
- Research Animal Models and Services, Charles River Laboratories, Wilmington, Massachusetts
| | - William R Shek
- Research Animal Models and Services, Charles River Laboratories, Wilmington, Massachusetts
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Abstract
The existence of coronaviruses has been known for many years. These viruses cause significant disease that primarily seems to affect agricultural species. Human coronavirus disease due to the 2002 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome and the 2012 outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome made headlines; however, these outbreaks were controlled, and public concern quickly faded. This complacency ended in late 2019 when alarms were raised about a mysterious virus responsible for numerous illnesses and deaths in China. As we now know, this novel disease called Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was caused by Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and rapidly became a worldwide pandemic. Luckily, decades of research into animal coronaviruses hastened our understanding of the genetics, structure, transmission, and pathogenesis of these viruses. Coronaviruses infect a wide range of wild and domestic animals, with significant economic impact in several agricultural species. Their large genome, low dependency on host cellular proteins, and frequent recombination allow coronaviruses to successfully cross species barriers and adapt to different hosts including humans. The study of the animal diseases provides an understanding of the virus biology and pathogenesis and has assisted in the rapid development of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Here, we briefly review the classification, origin, etiology, transmission mechanisms, pathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies, including available vaccines, for coronaviruses that affect domestic, farm, laboratory, and wild animal species. We also briefly describe the coronaviruses that affect humans. Expanding our knowledge of this complex group of viruses will better prepare us to design strategies to prevent and/or minimize the impact of future coronavirus outbreaks.
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Key Words
- bcov, bovine coronavirus
- ccov, canine coronavirus
- cov(s), coronavirus(es)
- covid-19, coronavirus disease 2019
- crcov, canine respiratory coronavirus
- e, coronaviral envelope protein
- ecov, equine coronavirus
- fcov, feline coronavirus
- fipv, feline infectious peritonitis virus
- gfcov, guinea fowl coronavirus
- hcov, human coronavirus
- ibv, infectious bronchitis virus
- m, coronaviral membrane protein
- mers, middle east respiratory syndrome-coronavirus
- mhv, mouse hepatitis virus
- pedv, porcine epidemic diarrhea virus
- pdcov, porcine deltacoronavirus
- phcov, pheasant coronavirus
- phev, porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus
- prcov, porcine respiratory coronavirus
- rt-pcr, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction
- s, coronaviral spike protein
- sads-cov, swine acute diarrhea syndrome-coronavirus
- sars-cov, severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus
- sars-cov-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome–coronavirus–2
- tcov, turkey coronavirus
- tgev, transmissible gastroenteritis virus
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso S Gozalo
- Comparative Medicine Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland;,
| | - Tannia S Clark
- Office of Laboratory Animal Medicine, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - David M Kurtz
- Comparative Medicine Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, Durham, North Carolina
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3
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O'Connell KA, Tigyi GJ, Livingston RS, Johnson DL, Hamilton DJ. Evaluation of In-cage Filter Paper as a Replacement for Sentinel Mice in the Detection of Murine Pathogens. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci 2021; 60:160-167. [PMID: 33629939 PMCID: PMC7974814 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-jaalas-20-000086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have evaluated alternatives to the use of live animals in colony health monitoring. Currently, an alternative method that is suitable for all rack types and that has been verified to detect the infectious agents most commonly excluded from mouse colonies is unavailable. We compared the use of filter paper placed on the inside floor of mouse cages to the traditional use of sentinel mice in the detection of several prevalent murine pathogens including mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), murine norovirus (MNV), minute virus of mice (MVM), mouse parvovirus (MPV), Theiler murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV), Helicobacter spp., Syphacia obvelata, and Aspiculuris tetraptera. Experimental groups comprised 7 cages containing either 2 pieces of filter paper on the cage floor or 2 ICR sentinel mice. Soiled bedding from pet-store mice was transferred to the experimental cages weekly for 8 wk. At 1 and 2 mo after bedding transfer, the filter papers were evaluated by PCR and sentinel mice were tested by serology and fecal PCR. Filter papers detected all pathogens as effectively (MHV, MNV, MPV, MVM, TMEV S. obvelata, and A. tetraptera) or more effectively (Helicobacter spp.) than sentinel mice at both time points. Filter papers more readily detected pathogens with a high copy number per RT-PCR analysis than a low copy number. Helicobacter spp. were not detected by sentinel mice at either time point. These results indicate that the use of filter paper placed on the interior floor of empty mouse cages and exposed to soiled bedding is efficient in detecting bacteria, endoparasites, and most of the common mouse viruses included in an animal health monitoring program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn A O'Connell
- Departments of Comparative Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee;,
| | - Gabor J Tigyi
- Departments of Physiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | | | - Daniel L Johnson
- Department of Molecular Bioinformatics Core, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - David J Hamilton
- Departments of Comparative Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
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Compton SR. PCR and RT-PCR in the Diagnosis of Laboratory Animal Infections and in Health Monitoring. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci 2020; 59:458-468. [PMID: 32580820 PMCID: PMC7479767 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-jaalas-20-000008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Molecular diagnostics (PCR and RT-PCR) have become commonplace in laboratory animal research and diagnostics, augmenting or replacing serological and microbiologic methods. This overview will discuss the uses of molecular diagnostics in the diagnosis of pathogenic infections of laboratory animals and in monitoring the microbial status of laboratory animals and their environment. The article will focus primarily on laboratory rodents, although PCR can be used on samples from any laboratory animal species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan R Compton
- Section of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine;,
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5
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Marx JO, Gaertner DJ, Smith AL. Results of Survey Regarding Prevalence of Adventitial Infections in Mice and Rats at Biomedical Research Facilities. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci 2017; 56:527-533. [PMID: 28903823 PMCID: PMC5605176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Revised: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Control of rodent adventitial infections in biomedical research facilities is of extreme importance in assuring both animal welfare and high-quality research results. Sixty-three U.S. institutions participated in a survey reporting the methods used to detect and control these infections and the prevalence of outbreaks from 1 January 2014 through 31 December 2015. These results were then compared with the results of 2 similar surveys published in 1998 and 2008. The results of the current survey demonstrated that the rate of viral outbreaks in mouse colonies was decreasing, particularly in barrier facilities, whereas the prevalence of parasitic outbreaks has remained constant. These results will help our profession focus its efforts in the control of adventitial rodent disease outbreaks to the areas of the greatest needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- James O Marx
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University Laboratory Animal Resources, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Diane J Gaertner
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University Laboratory Animal Resources, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Abigail L Smith
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University Laboratory Animal Resources, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;,
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Bauer BA, Besch-Williford C, Livingston RS, Crim MJ, Riley LK, Myles MH. Influence of Rack Design and Disease Prevalence on Detection of Rodent Pathogens in Exhaust Debris Samples from Individually Ventilated Caging Systems. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci 2016; 55:782-788. [PMID: 27931317 PMCID: PMC5113880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2016] [Revised: 02/18/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Sampling of bedding debris within the exhaust systems of ventilated racks may be a mechanism for detecting murine pathogens in colony animals. This study examined the effectiveness of detecting pathogens by PCR analysis of exhaust debris samples collected from ventilated racks of 2 different rack designs, one with unfiltered air flow from within the cage to the air-exhaust pathway, and the other had a filter between the cage and the air-exhaust pathway. For 12 wk, racks were populated with either 1 or 5 cages of mice (3 mice per cage) infected with one of the following pathogens: mouse norovirus (MNV), mouse parvovirus (MPV), mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), Helicobacter spp., Pasteurella pneumotropica, pinworms, Entamoeba muris, Tritrichomonas muris, and fur mites. Pathogen shedding by infected mice was monitored throughout the study. In the filter-containing rack, PCR testing of exhaust plenums yielded negative results for all pathogens at all time points of the study. In the rack with open air flow, pathogens detected by PCR analysis of exhaust debris included MHV, Helicobacter spp., P. pneumotropica, pinworms, enteric protozoa, and fur mites; these pathogens were detected in racks housing either 1 or 5 cages of infected mice. Neither MPV nor MNV was detected in exhaust debris, even though prolonged viral shedding was confirmed. These results demonstrate that testing rack exhaust debris from racks with unfiltered air flow detected MHV, enteric bacteria and parasites, and fur mites. However, this method failed to reliably detect MNV or MPV infection of colony animals.
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Compton SR, Macy JD. Effect of Cage-Wash Temperature on the Removal of Infectious Agents from Caging and the Detection of Infectious Agents on the Filters of Animal Bedding-Disposal Cabinets by PCR Analysis. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci 2015; 54:745-55. [PMID: 26632784 PMCID: PMC4671790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2014] [Revised: 12/24/2014] [Accepted: 01/30/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Efficient, effective cage decontamination and the detection of infection are important to sustainable biosecurity within animal facilities. This study compared the efficacy of cage washing at 110 and 180 °F on preventing pathogen transmission. Soiled cages from mice infected with mouse parvovirus (MPV) and mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) were washed at 110 or 180 °F or were not washed. Sentinels from washed cages did not seroconvert to either virus, whereas sentinels in unwashed cages seroconverted to both agents. Soiled cages from mice harboring MPV, Helicobacter spp., Mycoplasma pulmonis, Syphacia obvelata, and Myocoptes musculinus were washed at 110 or 180 °F or were not washed. Sentinels from washed cages remained pathogen-free, whereas most sentinels in unwashed cages became infected with MPV and S. obvelata. Therefore washing at 110 or 180 °F is sufficient to decontaminate caging and prevent pathogen transmission. We then assessed whether PCR analysis of debris from the bedding disposal cabinet detected pathogens at the facility level. Samples were collected from the prefilter before and after the disposal of bedding from cages housing mice infected with both MPV and MHV. All samples collected before bedding disposal were negative for parvovirus and MHV, and all samples collected afterward were positive for these agents. Furthermore, all samples obtained from the prefilter before the disposal of bedding from multiply infected mice were pathogen-negative, and all those collected afterward were positive for parvovirus, M. pulmonis, S. obvelata, and Myocoptes musculinus. Therefore the debris on the prefilter of bedding-disposal cabinets is useful for pathogen screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan R Compton
- Section of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
| | - James D Macy
- Section of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, Animal Resources Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Baker SW, Prestia KA, Karolewski B. Using reduced personal protective equipment in an endemically infected mouse colony. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci 2014; 53:273-277. [PMID: 24827569 PMCID: PMC4128565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2013] [Revised: 11/14/2013] [Accepted: 11/18/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Personal protective equipment (PPE) frequently is used to reduce the risk of spreading adventitial diseases in rodent colonies. The PPE worn often reflects the historic practices of the research institution rather than published performance data. Standard PPE for a rodent facility typically consists of a disposable hair bonnet, gown, face mask, shoe covers, and gloves, which are donned on facility entry and removed on exiting. This study evaluated the effect of a reduced PPE protocol on disease spread within an endemically infected mouse colony. In the reduced protocol, only the parts of the wearer that came in direct contact with the mice or their environment were covered with PPE. To test the reduced PPE protocol, proven naïve mice were housed in a facility endemically infected with murine norovirus and mouse hepatitis virus for 12 wk. During that time, routine husbandry operations were conducted by using either the standard or reduced PPE protocols. All study mice remained free of virus antibody when reduced PPE was implemented. These results indicate that reduced PPE is adequate for disease containment when correct techniques for handling microisolation caging are used. Reducing the amount of PPE used in an animal facility affords considerable cost savings yet limits the risk of disease spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel W Baker
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, Columbia University, New York, USA.
| | - Kevin A Prestia
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, Columbia University, New York, USA
| | - Brian Karolewski
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, Columbia University, New York, USA
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Mecha M, Carrillo-Salinas FJ, Mestre L, Feliú A, Guaza C. Viral models of multiple sclerosis: neurodegeneration and demyelination in mice infected with Theiler's virus. Prog Neurobiol 2013; 101-102:46-64. [PMID: 23201558 PMCID: PMC7117056 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2012.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2012] [Revised: 10/30/2012] [Accepted: 11/12/2012] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex inflammatory disease of unknown etiology that affects the central nervous system (CNS) white matter, and for which no effective cure exists. Indeed, whether the primary event in MS pathology affects myelin or axons of the CNS remains unclear. Animal models are necessary to identify the immunopathological mechanisms involved in MS and to develop novel therapeutic and reparative approaches. Specifically, viral models of chronic demyelination and axonal damage have been used to study the contribution of viruses in human MS, and they have led to important breakthroughs in our understanding of MS pathology. The Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) model is one of the most commonly used MS models, although other viral models are also used, including neurotropic strains of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) that induce chronic inflammatory demyelination with similar histological features to those observed in MS. This review will discuss the immunopathological mechanisms involved in TMEV-induced demyelinating disease (TMEV-IDD). The TMEV model reproduces a chronic progressive disease due to the persistence of the virus for the entire lifespan in susceptible mice. The evolution and significance of the axonal damage and neuroinflammation, the importance of epitope spread from viral to myelin epitopes, the presence of abortive remyelination and the existence of a brain pathology in addition to the classical spinal cord demyelination, are some of the findings that will be discussed in the context of this TMEV-IDD model. Despite their limitations, viral models remain an important tool to study the etiology of MS, and to understand the clinical and pathological variability associated with this disease.
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Key Words
- ab, antibody
- ag, antigen
- apc, antigen presenting cell
- bbb, blood–brain barrier
- cns, central nervous system
- cox-2, cyclooxygenase-2
- ctl, cytotoxic t lymphocytes
- dpi, days post-infection
- da, daniels strain of theiler's virus
- eae, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
- galc, galactocerebroside
- mbp, myelin basic protein
- mnc, mononuclear cells
- mhc, major histocompatibility complex
- mhv, mouse hepatitis virus
- mog, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein
- ms, multiple sclerosis
- naa, n-acetylaspartate
- no, nitric oxide
- pcr, polymerase chain reaction
- plp, myelin proteolipid protein
- pprs, pattern recognition receptors
- sfv, semliki forest virus
- sv, sindbis virus
- tmev, theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus
- tmev-idd, theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus-induced demyelinating disease
- tregs, regulatory t cells
- theiler's virus
- multiple sclerosis
- demyelination
- axonal damage
- neuroinflammation
- spinal cord pathology
- brain pathology
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Carmen Guaza
- Neuroimmunology Group, Functional and System Neurobiology Department, Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Avda Dr Arce 37, 28002 Madrid, Spain
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Tsuhako MH, Augusto O, Linares E, Chadi G, Giorgio S, Pereira CA. Tempol ameliorates murine viral encephalomyelitis by preserving the blood-brain barrier, reducing viral load, and lessening inflammation. Free Radic Biol Med 2010; 48:704-12. [PMID: 20035861 PMCID: PMC7126783 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2009.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2009] [Revised: 12/09/2009] [Accepted: 12/16/2009] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive inflammatory and/or demyelinating disease of the human central nervous system (CNS). Most of the knowledge about the pathogenesis of MS has been derived from murine models, such as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and viral encephalomyelitis. Here, we infected female C57BL/6 mice with a neurotropic strain of the mouse hepatitis virus (MHV-59A) to evaluate whether treatment with the multifunctional antioxidant tempol (4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy) affects the ensuing encephalomyelitis. In untreated animals, neurological symptoms developed quickly: 90% of infected mice died 10 days after virus inoculation and the few survivors presented neurological deficits. Treatment with tempol (24 mg/kg, ip, two doses on the first day and daily doses for 7 days plus 2 mM tempol in the drinking water ad libitum) profoundly altered the disease outcome: neurological symptoms were attenuated, mouse survival increased up to 70%, and half of the survivors behaved as normal mice. Not surprisingly, tempol substantially preserved the integrity of the CNS, including the blood-brain barrier. Furthermore, treatment with tempol decreased CNS viral titers, macrophage and T lymphocyte infiltration, and levels of markers of inflammation, such as expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, transcription of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma, and protein nitration. The results indicate that tempol ameliorates murine viral encephalomyelitis by altering the redox status of the infectious environment that contributes to an attenuated CNS inflammatory response. Overall, our study supports the development of therapeutic strategies based on nitroxides to manage neuroinflammatory diseases, including MS.
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Key Words
- bbb, blood–brain barrier
- cns, central nervous system
- eae, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
- ifn-γ, interferon-γ
- mhv, mouse hepatitis virus
- ms, multiple sclerosis
- inos, inducible nitric oxide synthase
- tempol, 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6,-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy
- tnf-α, tumor necrosis factor-α
- multiple sclerosis
- encephalomyelitis
- mouse hepatitis virus
- tempol
- antioxidant
- anti-inflammatory
- inflammation
- redox status
- nitric oxide-derived oxidants
- free radicals
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Heloisa Tsuhako
- Laboratório de Imunologia Viral, Instituto Butantan, 05503-900 São Paulo, Brazil
- Corresponding authors. M.H. Tsuhako is to be contacted at fax: +55 11 37261505. O. Augusto, fax: +55 11 30912186.
| | - Ohara Augusto
- Instituto de Química, Departamento de Bioquímica, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, 05513-970 São Paulo, Brazil
- Corresponding authors. M.H. Tsuhako is to be contacted at fax: +55 11 37261505. O. Augusto, fax: +55 11 30912186.
| | - Edlaine Linares
- Instituto de Química, Departamento de Bioquímica, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, 05513-970 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gerson Chadi
- Neuroregeneration Center, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, 05513-970 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Selma Giorgio
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Carlos A. Pereira
- Laboratório de Imunologia Viral, Instituto Butantan, 05503-900 São Paulo, Brazil
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Gulani J, Norbury CC, Bonneau RH, Beckwith CS. The effect of Helicobacter hepaticus infection on immune responses specific to herpes simplex virus type 1 and characteristics of dendritic cells. Comp Med 2009; 59:534-544. [PMID: 20034428 PMCID: PMC2798839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2009] [Revised: 08/06/2009] [Accepted: 10/05/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Infection of mice with Helicobacter hepaticus is common in research colonies, yet little is known about how this persistent infection affects immunologic research. The goal of this study was to determine whether H. hepaticus infection status can modulate immune responses specific to herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) and the phenotypic and functional characteristics of dendritic cells (DC) of mice. We compared virus-specific antibody and T cell-mediated responses in H. hepaticus-infected and noninfected mice that were inoculated intranasally with HSV1. The effect of H. hepaticus on the HSV1-specific antibody and T cell-mediated immune responses in superficial cervical and tracheobronchal lymph nodes (LN) did not reach statistical significance. Surface expression of the maturation-associated markers CD40, CD80, CD86, and MHC II and percentages of IL12p40- and TNFalpha-producing DC from spleen and colic LN in H. hepaticus-infected mice and noninfected mice were measured in separate experiments. Expression of CD40, CD86, and MHC II and percentages of IL12p40- and TNFalpha-producing DC from colic LN were decreased in H. hepaticus-infected mice. In contrast, H. hepaticus infection did not reduce the expression of these molecules by splenic DC. Expression of CD40, CD80, CD86, and MHC II on splenic DC from H. hepaticus-infected mice was increased after in vitro lipopolysaccharide stimulation. These results indicate that H. hepaticus infection can influence the results of immunologic assays in mice and support the use of H. hepaticus-free mice in immunologic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jatinder Gulani
- Departments of Comparative Medicine, Penn State Hershey College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Christopher C Norbury
- Microbiology and Immunology, Penn State Hershey College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Robert H Bonneau
- Microbiology and Immunology, Penn State Hershey College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Catherine S Beckwith
- Departments of Comparative Medicine, Penn State Hershey College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania
- Microbiology and Immunology, Penn State Hershey College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania
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Parker SE, Malone S, Bunte RM, Smith AL. Infectious diseases in wild mice (Mus musculus) collected on and around the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) Campus. Comp Med 2009; 59:424-30. [PMID: 19887025 PMCID: PMC2771607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2009] [Revised: 05/16/2009] [Accepted: 07/16/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Laboratory mice serve as important models in biomedical research. Monitoring these animals for infections and infestations and excluding causative agents requires extensive resources. Despite advancements in detection and exclusion over the last several years, these activities remain challenging for many institutions. The infections and infestations present in laboratory mouse colonies are well documented, but their mode of introduction is not always known. One possibility is that wild rodents living near vivaria somehow transmit infections to and between the colonies. This study was undertaken to determine what infectious agents the wild mice on the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) campus were carrying. Wild mice were trapped and evaluated for parasites, viruses, and selected bacteria by using histopathology, serology, and PCR-based assays. Results were compared with known infectious agents historically circulating in the vivaria housing mice on campus and were generally different. Although the ectoparasitic burdens found on the 2 populations were similar, the wild mice had a much lower incidence of endoparasites (most notably pinworms). The seroprevalence of some viral infections was also different, with a low prevalence of mouse hepatitis virus among wild mice. Wild mice had a high prevalence of murine cytomegalovirus, an agent now thought to be confined to wild mouse populations. Helicobacter DNA was amplified from more than 90% of the wild mice (59% positive for H. hepaticus). Given the results of this study, we conclude that wild mice likely are not a source of infection for many of the agents that are detected in laboratory mouse colonies at the University of Pennsylvania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon E Parker
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sarah Malone
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ralph M Bunte
- University Laboratory Animal Resources, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Abigail L Smith
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- University Laboratory Animal Resources, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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13
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Liang CT, Shih A, Chang YH, Liu CW, Lee YT, Hsieh WC, Huang YL, Huang WT, Kuang CH, Lee KH, Zhuo YX, Ho SY, Liao SL, Chiu YY, Hsu CN, Liang SC, Yu CK. Microbial contaminations of laboratory mice and rats in Taiwan from 2004 to 2007. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci 2009; 48:381-386. [PMID: 19653946 PMCID: PMC2715928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2009] [Revised: 02/18/2009] [Accepted: 05/04/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Limited data are available on the pathogen status of contemporary rodent colonies in Taiwan. Here we summarized the rodent pathogen diagnostic records of the Taiwan National Laboratory Animal Center during a 4-y period that representing approximately 10% of the rodent colonies in Taiwan. Demand for pathogen diagnostic service increased continuously from 2004 to 2007, with a 20% increase each year. In 2007, more than 20% of the mouse colonies were positive for mouse parvovirus, mouse hepatitis virus, Theiler murine encephalomyelitis virus, and Mycoplasma pulmonis, with fewer colonies diagnosed as having infections of pneumonia virus of mice, mouse adenovirus, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, and reovirus. Almost 40% of tested rat colonies were positive for Mycoplasma pulmonis and rat parvovirus, with fewer colonies containing Kilham rat virus, sialodacryoadenitis virus, pneumonia virus of mice, Sendai virus, and Syphacia spp. These data provide a sound overall picture of the health status of mouse and rat colonies in Taiwan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung-Tiang Liang
- National Laboratory Animal Center, National Applied Research Laboratories, Nan-Kang, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department and Graduate Institute of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Amy Shih
- National Laboratory Animal Center, National Applied Research Laboratories, Nan-Kang, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Hsiu Chang
- National Laboratory Animal Center, National Applied Research Laboratories, Nan-Kang, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chiung-Wen Liu
- National Laboratory Animal Center, National Applied Research Laboratories, Nan-Kang, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Tien Lee
- National Laboratory Animal Center, National Applied Research Laboratories, Nan-Kang, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chun Hsieh
- National Laboratory Animal Center, National Applied Research Laboratories, Nan-Kang, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Ling Huang
- National Laboratory Animal Center, National Applied Research Laboratories, Nan-Kang, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Tsang Huang
- National Laboratory Animal Center, National Applied Research Laboratories, Nan-Kang, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hui Kuang
- National Laboratory Animal Center, National Applied Research Laboratories, Nan-Kang, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kan-Hung Lee
- National Laboratory Animal Center, National Applied Research Laboratories, Nan-Kang, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Xing Zhuo
- National Laboratory Animal Center, National Applied Research Laboratories, Nan-Kang, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Yu Ho
- National Laboratory Animal Center, National Applied Research Laboratories, Nan-Kang, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shiow-Ling Liao
- National Laboratory Animal Center, National Applied Research Laboratories, Nan-Kang, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ying Chiu
- National Laboratory Animal Center, National Applied Research Laboratories, Nan-Kang, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chieh-Ning Hsu
- National Laboratory Animal Center, National Applied Research Laboratories, Nan-Kang, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - San-Chi Liang
- National Laboratory Animal Center, National Applied Research Laboratories, Nan-Kang, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Keung Yu
- National Laboratory Animal Center, National Applied Research Laboratories, Nan-Kang, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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14
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Abstract
SHFV is a member of a new virus family which includes the genus arterivirus. We have cloned and sequenced 6,314 nt from the 3' end of the SHFV genome. This sequence encompasses nine complete ORFs which is three additional ORFs as compared to the other arteriviruses. We have numbered these ORFs 2a, 2b, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. At the 5' end of this sequence is a partial ORF (ORF 1b) of 1590 nt and at the 3' end is a poly(A) tract preceded by a 76 nt noncoding region. The coding capacity for each of the SHFV ORFs as well as the potential mass, pI and number of N-linked glycosylation sites for each of the encoded peptides was determined.
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Key Words
- arterivirus
- genome organization
- 3′ genes
- a, adenosine
- bcv, bovine coronavirus
- eav, equine arteritis virus
- kb, kilobase(s)
- ldv, lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus
- mhv, mouse hepatitis virus
- nt, nucleotide(s)
- orf, open reading frame
- prrsv, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus
- sgrna(s), subgenomic mrna(s)
- shfv, simian hemorrhagic fever virus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Elmer K Godeny
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 504 3463304; fax: +1 504 3465715; e-mail:
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15
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Abstract
The biliary glycoprotein (BGP)-encoding gene is a member of the human carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) gene family. We have now cloned several mouse Bgp cDNAs from an outbred CDR-1 mouse colon cDNA library, as well as by reverse transcription-PCR amplification of colon RNA. The distinguishing features of the deduced Bgp protein isoforms are found in the two divergent N-terminal domains, the highly conserved internal C2-set immunoglobulin domains, and an intracytoplasmic domain of either 10 or 73 amino acids (aa). The cDNA structures suggest that these mRNAs are produced through alternative splicing of a Bgp gene and the usage of multiple transcriptional terminators. The Bgp deduced aa sequences are highly homologous to several well characterized rat hepatocyte proteins such as the cell CAM105/ecto-ATPase/pp120/HA4 proteins. Oligodeoxyribonucleotide probes representing the various cDNA isoform domains revealed predominant transcripts of 1.8, 3.1 and 4.0 kb on Northern analyses of mouse colon RNA; some of these bands are actually composed of several co-migrating transcripts. The transcripts encoding the long intracytoplasmic-tailed Bgp proteins are expressed at one-tenth the relative abundance of the shorter-tailed species. We have previously demonstrated that several mouse Bgp cDNAs, when transfected into eukaryotic cells, express BGP proteins at the cell surface and function in vitro as cell adhesion molecules, much like their human and rat counterparts. The expression of the many Bgp isoforms at the surface of epithelial cells, such as colon, suggests that these proteins play a determinant role, through self- or heterologous contact, in renewal and/or differentiation of their epithelia.
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Key Words
- carcinoembryonic antigen gene family member
- reverse transcription and polymerase chain amplification
- mouse hepatitis virus receptor
- adhesion molecule
- aa, amino acid(s)
- bgp, biliary glycoprotein
- bgp, mouse biliary glycoprotein
- bgpx, gene isoforms encoding mouse bgps (replaces mmcgm to conform with mouse genome nomenclature
- x is assigned by order of characterization)
- bp, base pair(s)
- cd, complement determining
- cea, carcinoembryonic antigen
- cgm, cea-related gene family member
- cyt, intracytoplasmic tail
- icam-1, intercellular adhesion molecule 1
- ig, immunoglobulin
- kb, kilobase(s) or 1000 bp
- mhv, mouse hepatitis virus
- mhvr, mhv receptor
- nca, nonspecific cross-reacting antigen
- nt, nucleotide(s)
- oligo, oligodeoxyribonucleotide
- orf, open reading frame
- pcr, polymerase chain reaction
- psg, pregnancy-specific glycoprotein
- 5′ or 3′utr, 5′ or 3′ untranslated region
- rit, oligo specific for cyt in the antisense orientation
- rt, reverse transcription
- tm, transmembrane
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Affiliation(s)
- K McCuaig
- McGill Cancer Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada
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16
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Abstract
The genomic RNA of the coronavirus IBV contains an efficient ribosomal frameshift signal at the junction of the overlapping 1a and 1b open reading frames. The signal is comprised of two elements, a heptanucleotide "slip-site" and a downstream tertiary RNA structure in the form of an RNA pseudoknot. We have investigated the structure of the pseudoknot and its contribution to the frameshift process by analysing the frameshifting properties of a series of pseudoknot mutants. Our results show that the pseudoknot structure closely resembles that which can be predicted from current building rules, although base-pair formation at the region where the two pseudoknot stems are thought to stack co-axially is not a pre-requisite for efficient frameshifting. The stems, however, must be in close proximity to generate a functional structure. In general, the removal of a single base-pair contact in either stem is sufficient to reduce or abolish frameshifting. No primary sequence determinants in the stems or loops appear to be involved in the frameshift process; as long as the overall structure is maintained, frameshifting is highly efficient. Thus, small insertions into the pseudoknot loops and a deletion in loop 2 that reduced its length to the predicted functional minimum did not influence frameshifting. However, a large insertion (467 nucleotides) into loop 2 abolished frameshifting. A simple stem-loop structure with a base-paired stem of the same length and nucleotide composition as the stacked stems of the pseudoknot could not functionally replace the pseudoknot, suggesting that some particular conformational feature of the pseudoknot determines its ability to promote frameshifting.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Brierley
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, U.K
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17
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Zoltick PW, Leibowitz JL, DeVries JR, Weinstock GM, Weiss SR. A general method for the induction and screening of antisera for cDNA-encoded polypeptides: antibodies specific for a coronavirus putative polymerase-encoding gene. Gene 1989; 85:413-20. [PMID: 2560756 PMCID: PMC7127337 DOI: 10.1016/0378-1119(89)90434-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/1989] [Revised: 06/29/1989] [Accepted: 06/30/1989] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
A prokaryotic vector, pGE374, containing the recA and lacZ genes, out-of-frame, was used for the expression of cDNA derived from the putative polymerase-encoding gene of the coronavirus mouse hepatitis virus strain A59 (MHV-A59). The pGE374/viral recombinant vector generates a tripartite bacterial/viral protein composed of a segment of the RecA protein at the N terminus, the coronaviral sequences in the middle, and an enzymatically active beta-galactosidase at the C terminus. Rabbits immunized with such recombinant proteins generated antibodies to the MHV-A59 portion of the tripartite protein. Because the MHV-A59 polymerase proteins have been difficult to identify during infection, we used a novel method to demonstrate the viral specificity of the antiserum. The viral cDNA was excised from the expression vector, and transferred to a pGem vector, downstream from and in-frame with a portion of the cat gene. This construct contained a bacteriophage RNA polymerase promoter that enabled the cell-free synthesis of a fusion protein that was used to verify that antibodies were generated to the expressed viral DNA. This strategy was shown to successfully result in the specific generation of antibodies to the encoded information of the viral cDNA. Furthermore, this method has general applicability in the generation and characterization of antibodies directed against proteins encoded in cDNAs.
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Key Words
- recombinant dna
- open reading frame vector
- nonstructural viral proteins
- cell-free protein synthesis
- mouse hepatitis virus
- aa, amino acid(s)
- ap, ampicillin
- bp, base pair(s)
- βgal, β-galactosidase
- b/v, bacterial/viral (fusion protein)
- cat, cm acetyl transferase
- cat, gene encoding cat
- cdna, dna complementary to rna
- cm, chloramphenicol
- iptg, isopropyl-β-d-thiogalactopyranoside
- kb, kilobase(s) or 1000 bp
- mhv, mouse hepatitis virus
- moi, multiplicity of infection
- np40, nonidet p40
- nt, nucleotide(s)
- onpg, o-nitrophenyl-d-galactopyranoside
- orf, open reading frame
- page, polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis
- pbs, 0.9% nacl/10mm na · phosphate ph 7.4
- pmsf, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride
- ripa buffer, 0.1 % sds/1 % np40/400 mm nacl/25 μg pmsf per ml/20 μg aprotinin per ml/10 mm na · phosphate ph 7.4
- sds, sodium dodecyl sulfate
- ts, 10 mm tris ph 7.4/10 mm nacl/1.5 mm mgcl2
- ts/p, ts with 20 μg pmsf/ml
- wt, wild type
- xgal, 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-β-d-galactopyranoside
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Affiliation(s)
- P W Zoltick
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia 19104
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18
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Abstract
The amino acid sequences of the spike proteins from three distantly related coronaviruses have been deduced from cDNA sequences. In the C-terminal half, an homology of about 30% was found, while there was no detectable sequence conservation in the N-terminal regions. Hydrophobic "heptad" repeat patterns indicated the presence of two alpha-helices with predicted lengths of 100 and 50 A, respectively. It is suggested that, in the spike oligomer, these alpha-helices form a complex coiled-coil, resembling the supersecondary structures in two other elongated membrane proteins, the haemagglutinin of influenza virus and the variable surface glycoprotein of trypanosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J de Groot
- Institute of Virology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands
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19
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Abstract
Analysis of the radiolabeled tryptic peptides derived from the nucleocapsid proteins of two serotypes of mouse hepatitis virus showed each to have a small number of unique peptides; however, two biologically distinct variants of the JHM strain appeared identical. Analysis of [32P]-labeled nucleocapsid-derived peptides showed that phosphorylation occurs at only a few sites and that all three viruses differed in the sites of phosphorylation. No differences in the sites of phosphorylation were found between the nucleocapsid proteins derived from purified virions and the membranes or the cytosol of infected cells, suggesting that post-translational phosphorylation plays no role in the regulation of viral assembly. These data show unequivocal evidence that the nucleocapsid proteins of mouse hepatitis virus strains differ in the sites of phosphorylation.
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20
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Abstract
A solid-phase radioimmunoassay is described for the detection of antibodies to mouse hepatitis virus. Viruses were purified by velocity and isopycnic gradient centrifugation and 96-well plastic plates were coated with viral antigens. To allow the detection of most serotypes of low titered antisera, a pool of antigens from several viral serotypes were employed. The second antibody, an affinity-purified goat antimouse immunoglobulin, detects IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies. This assay is more sensitive than either the plaque reduction assay or the commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay and proved to be useful for screening mouse colonies for the presence of mouse hepatitis virus, following seroconversion in experimental animals and in the production of monoclonal antibodies to both structural and nonstructural proteins.
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Key Words
- mouse hepatitis virus
- radioimmunoassay
- coronavirus
- mhv, mouse hepatitis virus
- pbs, phosphate buffered saline
- r1a, radioimmunoassay
- spria, solid-phase radioimmunoassay
- elisa, enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay
- ig, immunoglobulin
- mops, 3-(n-morpholine)-3-propanesulfonic acid
- hepes, n-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-n-2-ethanesulfonic acid
- tes, n-tris (hydroxymethyl)-3-methyl-2-aminoethane sulfonic acid
- dmem, dulbecco's modified eagle's medium
- peu, plaque forming units
- edta, disodium ethylene diamine tetraacetate
- bsa, bovine serum albumin
- fcs, fetal calf serum
- sds, sodium dodecyl sulfate
- peg, polyethylene glycol
- gamg, goat antimouse immunoglobulin
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