Identification and molecular characterization of simian endogenous retrovirus in Macaca fascicularis and Macaca nemestrina from captive breeding facilities in Bogor, Indonesia

Background and Aim:

Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) found in all vertebrates, including non-human primates (NHPs), are known to be genetically inherited. Thus, recent studies have explored ERVs for human immunodeficiency virus vaccine development using human ERV (HERV) due to the hypervariability of exogenous retroviruses which cause conventional vaccines to be ineffective. HERV was also found to be able to induce an immune response in cancer patients. This study aimed to identify and molecularly characterize ERVs from Indonesian NHPs: Macaca fascicularis and Macaca nemestrina. Then, we described the phylogenetic relationship of these isolates with those of the simian ERVs (SERVs) characterized in other species and countries.

Materials and Methods:

First, 5 mL of whole blood samples was taken from 131 long-tailed macaques and 58 pig-tailed macaques in captive breeding facilities at Bogor, Indonesia, for DNA extraction. Next, the DNA samples were screened using the SYBR Green real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique with specific primers for env (simian retroviruses [SRV]1-5 7585U19 and SRV1-5 7695L21). Positive SERV results were those with cycle threshold (CT) values < 24 (CT < 24) and melting temperature (TM) ranges of 80°C–82°C. Then, whole-genome nucleotide sequences from two pig-tailed macaques samples detected as positive SERV were generated using a nucleic acid sequencing technique which utilized the walking primer method. Subsequently, the sequences were analyzed using bioinformatics programs, such as 4Peaks, Clustal Omega, and BLAST (NCBI). Subsequently, a phylogenetic tree was constructed using the neighbor-joining method in MEGA X.

Results:

SYBR Green real-time PCR amplification results indicated that SERV (Mn B1 and Mn B140910)-positive samples had CT values of 22.37–22.54 and TM of 82°C. Moreover, whole-genome sequences resulted in 7991 nucleotide sequences, comprising long terminal repeat, gag, pro, pol, and env genes identical between the sequenced samples. Furthermore, the phylogenetic tree results indicated that both samples from M. nemestrina had 99%–100% nucleotide identities to the Mn 92227 sample identified at the National Primate Center University of Washington (NaPRC UW) which was imported from Indonesia in 1998, confirmed as a novel SERV strain. The phylogenetic tree results also indicated that although SERV whole-genome nucleotide and env amino acid sequences were clustered with SRV-2 (identity values of 82% and 79%, respectively), they had a 99%–100% nucleotide identity to Mn 92227. Meanwhile, the gag, pro, and pol amino acids were clustered with SRV-1, SRV-3, SRV-4, SRV-5, SRV-8, and SERV/1997, with 82% and 88% identity values.

Conclusion:

Based on the SYBR Green real-time PCR profiles generated, similarities with Mn 92227 were observed. Subsequent phylogenetic analysis confirmed that both samples (Mn B1 and Mn B140919) from pig-tailed macaques in the country of origin were novel SERV strains at NaPRC UW. Therefore, it could be used in biomedical research on ERVs.

Analisis Infektivitas Simian-Human Immunodeficiency Virus pada Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Macaca fascicularis dan M. nemestrina Secara In Vitro

Development of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) vaccines and anti-retroviral treatmentis currently hindered by the lack of models representing prominent symptoms of HIV-1 infections seen in humans. Simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) was constructed to resolve the limitations of SIVmac model and has been used in nonhuman primate model ofviral infections, particularly infections by the close relatives of HIV-1. Macaca fascicularis and M. nemestrina are being developed as model HIV/AIDS, by using chimeric virus SHIV produced by replacing the nucleotide structure of cyclophilin A binding region, vif gene and nef of HIV-1 with cyclophilin A binding region, vif gene and nef from SIV. The research aims to study the model of HIV/AIDS on nonhuman primates PBMC in vitro using SHIV. In particular, the study aims to obtain information about the capability of SHIV replication in PBMC of M. fascicularis and M. nemestrina. Results showed a cytopathic effect (CPE) in the form of multinucleated giant cells and expression of p24 protein in PHA-stimulated PBMC cultures of M. fascicularis and M. nemestrina after SHIV infection. The conclusion of this study is that SHIV can infect PBMC M. fascicularis and M. nemestrina in vitro based on CPE and expression of p24 protein.

Screening of In-Vitro Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Activity of Sargassum ilicifolium Crude Lipid Extracts from Different Coastal Areas in Indonesia

Sargassum brown seaweed is reported to exhibit several biological activities which promote human health, such as anticancer, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activity. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of crude lipid extracts of Sargassum ilicifolium obtained from four different coastal areas in Indonesia, namely Awur Bay-Jepara (AB), Pari Island-Seribu Islands (PI), Sayang Heulang Beach-Garut (SHB), and Ujung Genteng Beach-Sukabumi (UGB). Results showed that treatment of RAW 264.7 macrophage cells with UGB and AB crude lipid extracts (12.5-50 µg/mL) significantly suppressed the nitric oxide production after lipopolysaccharide stimulation, both in pre-incubated and co-incubated cell culture model. The anti-inflammatory effect was most marked in the pre-incubated cell culture model. Both two crude lipid extracts showed 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity and high ferric reducing antioxidant power, which were amounted to 36.93-37.87 µmol Trolox equivalent/g lipid extract and 681.58-969.81 µmol FeSO4/g lipid extract, respectively. From this study, we can conclude that crude lipid extract of tropical S. ilicifolium can be further developed as a source of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent.

Characterization of Burkholderia pseudomallei from spontaneous melioidosis in a Bornean orangutan

Background and Aim:

Melioidosis is a potentially fatal disease affecting humans and a wide range of animal species; it is often underdiagnosed and underreported in veterinary medicine in Indonesia. This study aimed to characterize morphological and molecular features of Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis which caused the death of a Bornean orangutan.

Materials and Methods:

Pulmonary abscess samples were cultured on several types of media, including Ashdown agar, Ashdown broth, and MacConkey agar. Type three secretion system orf 2 real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and latex agglutination tests were performed to identify the bacteria. Morphological characteristics were compared to all previously published morphotypes. Subsequently, the bacteria were characterized by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and Yersinia-like flagellum/Burkholderia thailandensis-like flagellum and chemotaxis PCR. The results of the genotyping were afterward compared to all genotypes from Southeast Asia.

Results:

Multiple morphotypes of B. pseudomallei were perceived during the growth on Ashdown agar. Furthermore, it was identified by MLST that the Type I and Type II morphotypes observed in this study were clones of a single ST, ST54, which is predominantly found in humans and the environment in Malaysia and Thailand, although a very limited number of reports was published in association with animals. Moreover, the E-BURST analysis showed that the ST is grouped together with isolates from Southeast Asian countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and Cambodia. ST54 was predicted to be the founding genotype of several STs from those regions.

Conclusion:

B. pseudomallei ST54 that caused the death of a Bornean orangutan has a distant genetic relationship with other STs which were previously reported in Indonesia, implying a vast genetic diversity in Indonesia that has not been discovered yet.

In-vitro anti-inflammatory activity, free radical (DPPH) scavenging, and ferric reducing ability (FRAP) of Sargassum cristaefolium lipid-soluble fraction and putative identification of bioactive compounds using UHPLC-ESI-ORBITRAP-MS/MS

Sargassum brown seaweed is well-known to contain several bioactive compounds which exhibit various biological activities, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. Lipophilic extracts and fractions of Sargassum were reported to possess promising anti-inflammatory activity. This study, therefore, aims to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of Sargassum cristaefolium crude lipid extract and its fractions. The brown seaweed was obtained from Awur Bay, Jepara - Indonesia. Crude lipid fractionation was performed using normal phase column chromatography, and three different fractions (dichloromethane, acetone, methanol) were produced. The results showed that treatment of acetone fraction exerted strongest nitric oxide inhibition in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 cells, both in pre-incubated and co-incubated cell culture models. This outcome was in accordance with its 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Metabolite profiling of lipid fractions was performed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry, while the orthogonal projection to latent structures analysis was conducted to determine some features with significant correlation to the bioactivity. There were 14 feature candidates considered from both positive and negative ionization mode datasets. Seven out of them were putatively identified as pheophytin a (1), all-trans fucoxanthin (2), 132-hydroxy-pheophytin a (3), pheophorbide a (4), 1-hexadecanoyl-2-(9Z-octadecenoyl)-3-O-β-D-galactosyl-sn-glycerol (6), 1-(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z,17Z-eicosapentaenoyl)-2-(9Z,12Z,15Z-octadecatrienoyl)-3-O-β-D-galactosyl-sn-glycerol (10), and 1-(9Z,12Z,15Z-octadecatrienoyl)-2-(6Z,9Z,12Z,15Z-octadecatetraenoyl)-3-O-β-D-galactosyl-sn glycerol (12).

Water and Lipid-Soluble Component Profile of Sargassum cristaefolium from Different Coastal Areas in Indonesia with Potential for Developing Functional Ingredient

Sargassum brown seaweed is known to have many health benefits and therapeutic effects. Preliminary chemical characterization of this seaweed is important as a bioprospecting strategy for seaweed industry development. This study aimed to evaluate chemical composition differences, both water and lipidsoluble component, of Sargassum cristaefolium from four different coastal areas in Indonesia, namely Pari Island/PI, Awur Bay/AB, Ujung Genteng Beach/UGB, and Sayang Heulang Beach/SHB. Principal component analysis (PCA) on water-soluble component made samples from different origins to be clearly distinguished (variance: 80.37%). SHB and UGB samples were characterized by a high content of ash, alginate, fucose-containing sulfated polysaccharides (FCSPs), and fucose content of FCSPs, while samples of AB and PI had a high amount of total sugar and crude fiber. PCA result on lipid-soluble components showed a different tendency that SHB and AB samples were located at close proximity and characterized by larger blade size, higher content of chlorophyll, fucoxanthin, carotenoid, PUFA, total n-3 fatty acids, total n-6 fatty acids, and also a lower ratio of n-6 to n-3 (variance: 75.42%). The overview of each samples' chemical characteristics can be valuable knowledge for further development, especially for developing functional ingredients.

Construction of A Preliminary Three-Dimensional Structure Simian betaretrovirus Serotype-2 (SRV-2) Reverse Transcriptase Isolated from Indonesian Cynomolgus Monkey

Simian betaretrovirus serotype-2 (SRV-2) is an important pathogenic agent in Asian macaques. It is a potential confounding variable in biomedical research. SRV-2 also provides a valuable viral model compared to other retroviruses which can be used for understanding many aspects of retroviral-host interactions and immunosuppression, infection mechanism, retroviral structure, antiretroviral and vaccine development. In this study, we isolated the gene encoding reverse transcriptase enzyme (RT) of SRV-2 that infected Indonesian cynomolgus monkey (Mf ET1006) and predicted the three dimensional structure model using the iterative threading assembly refinement (I-TASSER) computational programme. This SRV-2 RT Mf ET1006 consisted of 547 amino acids at nucleotide position 3284–4925 of whole genome SRV-2. The polymerase active site located in the finger/palm subdomain characterised by three conserved catalytic aspartates (Asp90, Asp165, Asp166), and has a highly conserved YMDD motif as Tyr163, Met164, Asp165 and Asp166. We estimated that this SRV-2 RT Mf ET1006 structure has the accuracy of template modelling score (TM-score 0.90 ± 0.06) and root mean square deviation (RMSD) 4.7 ± 3.1Å, indicating that this model can be trusted and the accuracy can be seen from the appearance of protein folding in tertiary structure. The superpositionings between SRV-2 RT Mf ET1006 and Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (HIV-1) RT were performed to predict the structural in details and to optimise the best fits for illustrations. This SRV-2 RT Mf ET1006 structure model has the highest homology to HIV-1 RT (2B6A.pdb) with estimated accuracy at TM-score 0.911, RMSD 1.85 Å, and coverage of 0.953. This preliminary study of SRV-2 RT Mf ET1006 structure modelling is intriguing and provide some information to explore the molecular characteristic and biochemical mechanism of this enzyme.

Bone Growth Capacity of Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells and BMP-2 Seeded Into Hydroxyapatite/Chitosan/Gelatin Scaffold in Alveolar Cleft Defects: An Experimental Study in Goat

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate bone regeneration in alveolar defects treated with human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs), hydroxyapatite/chitosan/gelatin (HA/CS/Gel) scaffold, and bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP-2) in Capra hircus models.

DESIGN

Randomized posttest-only control group design.

SETTING

Animal Hospital at Bogor Agricultural Institute.

PARTICIPANTS

Healthy and equally treated 24 female Capra hircus/goats.

INTERVENTION

Animals were randomly assigned to 3 experimental group design (iliac crest alveolar bone graft/ICABG [control], HA/Cs/Gel+BMP-2 [Novosys], and HA/Cs/Gel+BMP-2+UCMSCs). Graft materials were implanted in surgically made alveolar defects.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Postoperative functional score and operating time were assessed. New bone growth, bone density, inflammatory cells recruitment, and neoangiogenesis were evaluated based on radiological and histological approach at 2 time points, week 4 and 12. Statistical analysis was done between treatment groups.

RESULTS

Operating time was 34% faster and functional score 94.5% more superior in HA/Cs/Gel+BMP-2+hUCMSC group. Bone growth capacity in HA/Cs/Gel+BMP-2+UCMSCs mimicked ICABG, but ICABG showed possibility of bone loss between week 4 and 12. The HA/Cs/Gel+BMP-2+UCMSCs showed early bone repopulation and unseen inflammatory cells and angiogenesis on week 12.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The HA/Cs/Gel+BMP-2+hUCMSCs were superior in enhancing new bone growth without donor site morbidity compared to ICABG. The presence of hUCMSCs in tissue-engineered alveolar bone graft (ABG), supported with paracrine activity of the resident stem cells, initiated earlier new bone repopulation, and completed faster bone regeneration. The HA/Cs/Gel scaffold seeded with UCMSCs+BMP-2 is a safe substitute of ICABG to close alveolar bone defects suitable for patients with cleft lip, alveolus, and palate.

Humoral Immune Responses to Burkholderia pseudomallei Antigens in Captive and Wild Macaques in the Western Part of Java, Indonesia

Burkholderia pseudomallei, the Gram-negative bacterium which causes melioidosis, is a threat to human and a wide range of animal species. There is an increased concern of melioidosis in Indonesian primate facilities, especially following case reports of fatal melioidosis in captive macaques and orangutans. Our preliminary serosurveillance of immunoglobulin G (IgG) to B. pseudomallei lipopolysaccharide showed that a significant number of captive and wild macaques in the western part of Java, Indonesia, have been exposed to B. pseudomallei. To better characterize the humoral immune response in those animals, a panel of assays were conducted on the same blood plasma specimens that were taken from 182 cynomolgus macaques (M. fascicularis) and 88 pig-tailed macaques (M. nemestrina) reared in captive enclosures and wild habitats in the western part of Java, Indonesia. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) in this study were conducted to detect IgG against B. pseudomallei proteins; alkyl hydroperoxide reductase subunit C (AhpC), hemolysin-coregulated protein (Hcp1), and putative outer membrane porin protein (OmpH). The performances of those immunoassays were compared to ELISA against B. pseudomallei LPS, which has been conducted previously. Seropositivity to at least one assay was 76.4% (139/182) and 13.6% (12/88) in cynomolgus macaques and pig-tailed macaques, respectively. Analysis of demographic factors showed that species and primate facility were significant factors. Cynomolgus macaques had higher probability of exposure to B. pseudomallei. Moreover, macaques in Jonggol facility also had higher probability, compared to macaques in other facilities. There were no statistical associations between seropositivity with other demographic factors such as sex, age group, and habitat type. There were strong positive correlations between the absorbance results of AhpC, HcpI, and OmpH assays, but not with LPS assay. Our analysis suggested that Hcp1 assay would complement LPS assay in melioidosis serosurveillance in macaques.

Isolation and Characterization of C-C Chemokine Ligand 7 (CCL7) in Cynomolgus Macaques

Cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) are an established animal model of asthma, which exhibit different responses to allergen exposure that are clinically relevant. The chemokine ligand gene (CCL7) encodes Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-3, which has an important role in asthma pathogenesis. While CCL7 polymorphism in humans is associated with asthma phenotype, very little is known about CCL7 in nonhuman primate models of respiratory disease. The objective of this study was to isolate and characterize CCL7 gene in cynomolgus macaques of Indonesian origin. In this study, we used sequencing and bioinformatics technique for gene isolation, characterization, and protein 3D structure prediction. We isolated a 2253 base-pair (bp) sequence of CCL7 in cynomolgus macaques, which exhibited 95% similarity in coding sequence to human CCL7. The amino acid sequence was more closely clustered with human CCL7 than with that of rodents. Importantly, the predictive protein structure of CCL7 was similar to that in humans. These similarities in CCL7 suggests the potential of cynomolgus macaque as a translational model to study asthma, particularly in the context of genetics and role of chemokines such as CCL7.

Sargassum Seaweed as a Source of Anti-Inflammatory Substances and the Potential Insight of the Tropical Species: A Review

Sargassum is recognized both empirically and scientifically as a potential anti-inflammatory agent. Inflammation is an important response in the body that helps to overcome various challenges to body homeostasis such as microbial infections, tissue stress, and certain injuries. Excessive and uncontrolled inflammatory conditions can affect the pathogenesis of various diseases. This review aims to explore the potential of Sargassum's anti-inflammatory activity, not only in crude extracts but also in sulfated polysaccharides and purified compounds. The tropical region has a promising availability of Sargassum biomass because its climate allows for the optimal growth of seaweed throughout the year. This is important for its commercial utilization as functional ingredients for both food and non-food applications. To the best of our knowledge, studies related to Sargassum's anti-inflammatory activity are still dominated by subtropical species. Studies on tropical Sargassum are mainly focused on the polysaccharides group, though there are some other potentially bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, terpenoids, fucoxanthin, fatty acids and their derivatives, typical polar lipids, and other groups. Information on the modulation mechanism of Sargassum's bioactive compounds on the inflammatory response is also discussed here, but specific mechanisms related to the interaction between bioactive compounds and targets in cells still need to be further studied.

Mammosphere Culture of Mammary Cells from Cynomolgus Macaques (Macaca fascicularis)

The mammary gland contains adult stem cells that are capable of self-renewal. Although these cells hold an important role in the biology and pathology of the breast, the studies of mammary stem cells are few due to the difficulty of acquiring and expanding undifferentiated adult stem cell populations. In this study, we developed mammosphere cultures from frozen mammary cells of nulliparous cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) as a culture system to enrich mammary stem cells. Small samples of mammary tissues were collected by surgical biopsy; cells were cultured in epithelial cell growth medium and cryopreserved. Cryopreserved cells were cultured into mammospheres, and the expression of markers for stemness was evaluated by using quantitative PCR analysis. Cells were further differentiated by using 2D and 3D approaches to evaluate morphology and organoid budding, respectively. The study showed that mammosphere culture resulted in an increase in the expression of mammary stem cell markers with each passage. In contrast, markers for epithelial cells and pluripotency decreased across multiple passages. The 2D differentiation of the cells showed heterogeneous morphology, whereas 3D differentiation allowed for organoid formation. The results indicate that mammospheres can be successfully developed from frozen mammary cells derived from breast tissue collected from nulliparous cynomolgus macaques through surgical biopsy. Because mammosphere cultures allow for the enrichment of a mammary stem cell population, this refined method provides a model for the in vitro or ex vivo study of mammary stem cells.

Emergence of Melioidosis in Indonesia and Today's Challenges

A recent modeling study estimated that there could be as many as 20,000 human melioidosis cases per year in Indonesia, with around 10,000 potential deaths annually. Nonetheless, the true burden of melioidosis in Indonesia is still unknown. The Indonesia Melioidosis Network was formed during the first melioidosis workshop in 2017. Here, we reviewed 101 melioidosis cases (99 human and two animal cases) previously reported and described an additional 45 human melioidosis cases. All 146 culture-confirmed cases were found in Sumatra (n = 15), Java (n = 104), Kalimantan (n = 15), Sulawesi (n = 11) and Nusa Tenggara (n = 1). Misidentification of Burkholderia pseudomallei was not uncommon, and most cases were only recently identified. We also evaluated clinical manifestations and outcome of recent culture-confirmed cases between 2012 and 2017 (n = 42). Overall, 15 (36%) cases were children (age <15 years) and 27 (64%) were adults (age ≥15 years). The overall mortality was 43% (18/42). We conducted a survey and found that 57% (327/548) of healthcare workers had never heard of melioidosis. In conclusion, melioidosis is endemic throughout Indonesia and associated with high mortality. We propose that top priorities are increasing awareness of melioidosis amongst all healthcare workers, increasing the use of bacterial culture, and ensuring accurate identification of B. pseudomalleiand diagnosis of melioidosis.

Non-invasive surveillance for Plasmodium in reservoir macaque species

BACKGROUND

Primates are important reservoirs for human diseases, but their infection status and disease dynamics are difficult to track in the wild. Within the last decade, a macaque malaria, Plasmodium knowlesi, has caused disease in hundreds of humans in Southeast Asia. In order to track cases and understand zoonotic risk, it is imperative to be able to quantify infection status in reservoir macaque species. In this study, protocols for the collection of non-invasive samples and isolation of malaria parasites from naturally infected macaques are optimized.

METHODS

Paired faecal and blood samples from 60 Macaca fascicularis and four Macaca nemestrina were collected. All animals came from Sumatra or Java and were housed in semi-captive breeding colonies around West Java. DNA was extracted from samples using a modified protocol. Nested polymerase chain reactions (PCR) were run to detect Plasmodium using primers targeting mitochondrial DNA. Sensitivity of screening faecal samples for Plasmodium was compared to other studies using Kruskal Wallis tests and logistic regression models.

RESULTS

The best primer set was 96.7 % (95 % confidence intervals (CI): 83.3-99.4 %) sensitive for detecting Plasmodium in faecal samples of naturally infected macaques (n = 30). This is the first study to produce definitive estimates of Plasmodium sensitivity and specificity in faecal samples from naturally infected hosts. The sensitivity was significantly higher than some other studies involving wild primates.

CONCLUSIONS

Faecal samples can be used for detection of malaria infection in field surveys of macaques, even when there are no parasites visible in thin blood smears. Repeating samples from individuals will improve inferences of the epidemiology of malaria in wild primates.

Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells, recombinant human BMP-2,and their combination in accelerating the union after osteotomy and increasing, the mechanical strength of extracorporeally irradiated femoral autograft in rat models

BACKGROUND

Delayed union, nonunion, and mechanical failure is still problems encountered in limb salvage surgery (LSS) using extracorporeal irradiation (ECI). This study aimed to determine whether bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) improve hostgraft union after osteotomy and also increase its mechanical strength.

METHODS

Thirty Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups. Group I (control) underwent LSS using ECI method with 150 Gy single doses. Similar procedures were applied to other groups. Group II received hydroxyapatite (HA) scaffold. Group III received HA scaffold and MSC. Group IV received HA scaffold and rhBMP-2. Group V received HA scaffolds, MSC, and rhBMP-2. Radiograph were taken at week-2, 4, 6, and 8; serum alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin were measured at week-2 and 4. Histopathological evaluation and biomechanical study was done at week-8.

RESULTS

The highest radiological score was found in group IV and V Similar result was obtained in histological score and ultimate bending force. These results were found to be statistically significant. There was no significant difference among groups in serum alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin level.

CONCLUSION

Combination of MSC and rhBMP-2 was proven to accelerate union and improve mechanical strength of ECI autograft.

A whole-arm translocation (WAT8/9) separating Sumatran and Bornean agile gibbons, and its evolutionary features

Gibbons, like orangutans, are a group of threatened Asian apes, so that genetic monitoring of each species or subspecies is a pressing need for conservation programmes. We conducted a project to take, as far as possible, samples of known origin from wild-born animals from Sumatra and Borneo (Central Kalimantan) for genetic monitoring of agile gibbons. As a result, we found a whole arm translocation between chromosomes 8 and 9 (WAT8/9) specific to Sumatran agile gibbons. Furthermore, population surveys suggested that the form with the WAT8/9 seems to be incompatible with an ancestral form, suggesting that the former might have extinguished the latter from Sumatran populations by competition. In any case, this translocation is a useful chromosomal marker for identifying Sumatran agile gibbons. Population genetic analyses with DNA showed that the molecular genetic distance between Sumatran and Bornean agile gibbons is the smallest, although the chromosomal difference is the largest. Thus, it is postulated that WAT8/9 occurred and fixed in a small population of Sumatra after migration and geographical isolation at the last glacial period, and afterwards dispersed rapidly to other populations in Sumatra as a result of the bottleneck effect and a chromosomal isolating mechanism.

Comparison of whole gene and whole virus scrambled antigen approaches for DNA prime and fowlpox virus boost HIV type 1 vaccine regimens in macaques

T cell immunity plays a critical role in controlling HIV-1 viremia, and encoding a limited set of HIV-1 genes within DNA and poxvirus vectors can, when used sequentially, induce high levels of T cell immunity in primates. However, a limited breadth of T cell immunity exposes the host to potential infection with either genetically diverse HIV-1 strains or T cell escape variants of HIV-1. In an attempt to induce maximally broad immunity, we examined DNA and recombinant fowlpox virus (rFPV) vaccines encoding all HIV-1 genes derived from a global HIV-1 consensus sequence, but expressed as multiple overlapping scrambled 30-amino acid segments (scrambled antigen vaccines, or SAVINEs). Three groups of seven pigtail macaques were immunized with sets of DNA and rFPV expressing Gag/Pol antigens only, the whole genome SAVINE antigens, or no HIV-1 antigens and T cell immunity was monitored by ELISpot and intracellular cytokine staining. High levels of cross-subtype HIV-specific T cell immunity to Gag were consistently induced in the seven macaques primed with DNA and rFPV vaccines expressing Gag/Pol as intact proteins. It was, however, difficult to repeatedly boost immunity with further rFPV immunizations, presumably reflecting high levels of anti- FPV immunity. Unfortunately, this vaccine study did not consistently achieve a broadened level of T cell immunity to multiple HIV genes utilizing the novel whole-virus SAVINE approach, with only one of seven immunized animals generating broad T cell immunity to multiple HIV-1 proteins. Further refinements are planned with alternative vector strategies to evaluate the potential of the SAVINE technology.

Experimental infection of Macaca nemestrina with a Toronto Norwalk-like virus of epidemic viral gastroenteritis

Norwalk virus (NV) and Norwalk-like viruses (NLVs) are common etiologic agents of viral gastroenteritis. Viral gastroenteritis is a common disease that is highly transmissible, spreading rapidly through families, institutions, and communities. Because methods for in vitro cultivation of Norwalk etiologic agents are not available, information regarding this syndrome has come largely from studies in human volunteers. Sequential passaging of an NLV through an immunoincompetent newborn pigtail macaque (Macaca nemestrina) may allow for the adaptation of a human NLV to a primate host, thus providing an animal model for investigating this disease. A fecal filtrate of human origin containing NLV, Toronto virus P2-A, was obtained from a patient during an epidemic of viral gastroenteritis. The filtrate was administered via nasogastric tube to three newborn pigtailed macaques. Clinical illness, which was characterized by diarrhea, dehydration, and vomiting, occurred in three monkeys. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and oligonucleotide probe analysis of RNA extracted from the stool samples following infection revealed viral RNA in all inoculated monkeys. Infection was also transmitted experimentally by feeding two additional newborn macaques a fecal filtrate prepared from the three previously infected animals. Detection of viral RNA in the stools of animals that received the fecal filtrate indicates that viral replication occurred in association with clinical illness. The susceptibility of Macaca nemestrina to infection with a Norwalk-like agent will facilitate the study of the mechanisms of the pathogenesis of NLV. This system may also have the potential to serve as a vaccine test model for human epidemic viral gastroenteritis.

Simian T-lymphotropic virus type I infection among wild-caught Indonesian pig-tailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina)

Evidence for the presence of simian T-lymphotropic viruses (STLV-I) was identified in live-caught pig-tailed macaques from two locations in southern Sumatra, Indonesia. Of 60 animals tested, 13.3% of the animals showed seroreactivity to HTLV-I/II enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) antigens. Of these, 75% showed indeterminate reactivity and 25% showed positive reactivity to HTLV-I/II Western blot antigens. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of 6 of 8 seroreactive monkeys' peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) DNA showed production of proper size molecular weight product that hybridized specifically to an STLV-I tax gene-specific probe. Phylogenic analyses of tax gene fragment sequences from the PCR products of two samples, 930287 and 930306, indicated that these animals were infected with retroviruses related to those of the Asian STLV-I clade.

Mucosal antibody expression following rapid SIV(Mne) dissemination in intrarectally infected Macaca nemestrina

The early kinetics of antibody expression following transmucosal infection by SIV(Mne) were examined in several mucosal compartments in Macaca nemestrina. Five male-female pairs of macaques were inoculated intrarectally with SIV(Mne) E11S, a biological clone, and serially euthanized at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks postinoculation. Plasma, tears, saliva, rectal secretions, and vaginal washes were collected serially and just prior to euthanasia. Both total and SIV-specific IgG and IgA levels were measured by immunoglobulin isotype-specific quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), and were further examined by conventional and enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL) immunoblots. Virus coculture, polymerase chain reaction, and in situ hybridization assays revealed the systemic spread of virus as early as 1 week postinoculation in 8 of 10 animals. ECL immunoblots detected SIV-specific antibodies in mucosal samples collected 1 week postinoculation. The most dramatic increases in both total and SIV-specific IgA levels were detected in rectal secretion samples. In contrast, plasma and nonrectal mucosal samples from the same time points increased only slightly, suggesting that the most robust antibody response occurred at the portal of infection. Our results show that the SIV-infected macaque is an excellent model for studies designed to assess mucosal immune responses to primate lentivirus infections. Additional studies will assess the correlation between the antiviral protection afforded by candidate vaccines and mucosal antibody responses.

The tax gene sequences form two divergent monophyletic lineages corresponding to types I and II of simian and human T-cell leukemia/lymphotropic viruses

Evolutionary associations of human and simian T-cell leukemia/lymphotropic viruses I and II (HTLV-I/II and STLV-I/II) are inferred from phylogenetic analysis of tax gene sequences. Samples studied consisted of a geographically diverse assemblage of viral strains obtained from 10 human subjects and 20 individuals representing 12 species of nonhuman primates. Sequence analyses identified distinct substitutions, which distinguished between viral types I and II, irrespective of host species. Phylogenetic reconstruction of nucleotide sequences strongly supported two major evolutionary groups corresponding to viral types I and II. With the type I lineage, clusters were composed of strains from multiple host species. A genetically diverse, monophyletic lineage consisting of eight new viral strains from several species of Asian macaques was identified. The second lineage consisted of a monophyletic assemblage of HTLV-II/STLV-II strains from Africa and the New World, including an isolate from a pygmy chimp (Pan paniscus) as an early divergence within the lineage. High levels of genetic variation among strains from Asian STLV-I macaque suggest the virus arose in Asia. Evidence of the origin of the type II virus is less clear, but diversity among HTLV-II variants from a single isolated population of Mbati villagers is suggestive but not proof of an African origin.