Replication and tissue tropism of the alphavirus Sindbis in the mosquito Aedes albopictus

We have examined the replication and tissue distribution of the alphavirus Sindbis in the mosquito Aedes albopictus. Parenteral inoculation of virus resulted in an acute infection accompanied by rapid virus replication and a persistent infection, during which total virus production was reduced. Acute and persistent phase virus RNA synthesis, virus production, and organ-specific distribution of infection were determined over an 18-day incubation period. Organs were classified as refractory (ovarioles, Malpighian tubules), cleared (head ganglia), transient (salivary glands, anterior midgut, posterior midgut, and thoracic muscle), or persistent (fat bodies-hemolymph, hindgut, and tracheole-associated cells) according to the onset, peak, and duration of Sindbis virus antigens within that particular organ. Virus was identified in respiratory tissue by immunological and ultrastructural methods. This represents a novel tropism for an alphavirus. These findings demonstrate that the cells of mature insect organs respond differently to virus infection. Correlations among virus replication, virus RNA synthesis, and organ-specific clearing of a pantropic infection were observed. We suggest that the underlying temporal and spatial kinetics that characterize this virus-invertebrate interaction may reflect a mechanism for the modulation of the arbovirus titer seen in the mosquito host.

Molecular mimicry, anti-coxsackievirus B3 neutralizing monoclonal antibodies, and myocarditis

Molecular mimicry has been suggested as one mechanism to explain chronic myocarditis in some murine strains in the postinfectious period following induction of acute myocarditis by coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3). To test this hypothesis, neutralizing mAbs were generated against a highly myocarditic CVB3 virus (CVB3m). These mAbs neutralized several myocarditic and amyocarditic CVB3 variants by cytopathic effects inhibition assays. Data from several experiments suggest that these mAbs recognize discontinuous epitopes on CVB3m capsid proteins. Several mAbs were found to induce cardiopathologic alterations subsequent to i.p. inoculation of normal adolescent male CD-1 or C3H/HeJ mice. Immunocytochemical assays demonstrated significant binding of two mAbs to the surface of normal cultured murine cardiac fibroblasts. Also, several mAbs were shown to participate in C-mediated lysis of normal cardiac fibroblasts, but this property did not correlate well with cardiopathogenic potential. The two properties of a mAb that were the best predictors for cardiopathogenic potential were the capacity for stimulation of normal murine fibroblasts to produce a chemoattractant activity for unelicted murine peritoneal macrophages, and the capacity for recognition of an epitopes(s) on murine or human cardiac myosins. These data show that some anti-CVB3m neutralizing mAbs can participate in proinflammatory reactions in vitro and induce cardiopathologic alterations in vivo, suggesting one mechanism by which CVB3-induced chronic inflammation in murine heart tissues can be sustained in the absence of continued virus replication.

Molecular mimicry, anti-coxsackievirus B3 neutralizing monoclonal antibodies, and myocarditis

Molecular mimicry has been suggested as one mechanism to explain chronic myocarditis in some murine strains in the postinfectious period following induction of acute myocarditis by coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3). To test this hypothesis, neutralizing mAbs were generated against a highly myocarditic CVB3 virus (CVB3m). These mAbs neutralized several myocarditic and amyocarditic CVB3 variants by cytopathic effects inhibition assays. Data from several experiments suggest that these mAbs recognize discontinuous epitopes on CVB3m capsid proteins. Several mAbs were found to induce cardiopathologic alterations subsequent to i.p. inoculation of normal adolescent male CD-1 or C3H/HeJ mice. Immunocytochemical assays demonstrated significant binding of two mAbs to the surface of normal cultured murine cardiac fibroblasts. Also, several mAbs were shown to participate in C-mediated lysis of normal cardiac fibroblasts, but this property did not correlate well with cardiopathogenic potential. The two properties of a mAb that were the best predictors for cardiopathogenic potential were the capacity for stimulation of normal murine fibroblasts to produce a chemoattractant activity for unelicted murine peritoneal macrophages, and the capacity for recognition of an epitopes(s) on murine or human cardiac myosins. These data show that some anti-CVB3m neutralizing mAbs can participate in proinflammatory reactions in vitro and induce cardiopathologic alterations in vivo, suggesting one mechanism by which CVB3-induced chronic inflammation in murine heart tissues can be sustained in the absence of continued virus replication.

Advances in molecular biology: implications for the future of clinical nutrition practice

Advances in molecular biology during the past decade have substantially contributed to our understanding of how genes influence physiologic processes and, ultimately, our health. Genes associated with many nutrition-related chronic diseases are being identified and characterized. Nutrients may directly or indirectly influence the transcription and/or translation of specific gene products. Identifying genetic markers for specific diseases and exploring gene therapy will provide new opportunities and challenges for clinical nutrition practice in the 21st century. Nutrition practitioners must be cognizant of developments in molecular biology to meet the challenges of providing nutrition care in the future.

Purification and properties of the soluble midgut trehalase from the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar

The midgut trehalase (THA) from fifth instar Lymantria dispar (gypsy moth) larvae was purified to homogeneity by two separate methods: gel filtration followed by Rotofor preparative IEF, and affinity chromatography on trehalose coupled to Sepharose 6B followed by preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Midgut THA from the last stadium L. dispar larvae existed mainly in soluble form and displayed a single band of activity in nondenaturing polyacrylamide gels when stained by a THA-specific staining procedure. Analytical IEF of purified midgut THA revealed a single protein band with an apparent pI of 4.6. SDS-PAGE and gel permeation studies indicated that the smallest active form of THA in the late fifth instar larval midgut was a monomeric protein with an approximate size of 60 kDa. A specific activity of 67 units/mg of protein at 30 degrees C and at pH 6.4 was determined for the enzyme purified by affinity chromatography and preparative gel electrophoresis. The midgut enzyme exhibited a very high substrate specificity with a Km of 0.4 mM for trehalose. The enzyme was maximally active at pH 5.4-6.0 and was thermally stable at temperatures up to 65 degrees C. The midgut THA was insensitive to inhibition by a high concentration of Tris, sucrose, p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucoside or phloridzin. Divalent cations metal ions, hypertrehalosaemic hormone and octopamine had no significant effect on the activity of the purified enzyme in vitro. The purified enzyme was inactivated by modification with DEP and was competitively inhibited by castanospermine with an apparent Ki of 0.8 x 10(-6)M at pH 6.4.

Recurrent histiocytosis X with mandibular lesions

A 19-year old male patient suffered a recurrence of histiocytosis X after 11 years of apparent remission. Radiographic lesions were found in the mandible. Loose and painful teeth were present. Low-dose radiation to the mandible and oral chemotherapy were followed with regression of bony lesions. Reports of incidence, treatment methods, and recurrences are reviewed.