DNA sequencing of 13 cytokine gene fragments of Aotus infulatus and Saimiri sciureus, two non-human primate models for malaria

Aotus and Saimiri are non-human primate models recommended by the World Health Organization for experimental studies in malaria, especially for vaccine pre-clinical trials. However, research using these primates is hindered by the lack of specific reagents to evaluate immune responses to infection or vaccination. As a step toward developing molecular tools for cytokine expression studies in these species, primer pairs for 18 cytokine gene fragments were designed based on human DNA sequences and used to amplify the corresponding genes in Aotus infulatus and Saimiri sciureus genomic DNA samples. IFNγ, TNFα, LTA, IL2, IL3, IL4, IL5, IL6, IL10, IL12, IL13, CSF2 and TGFβ2 gene fragments were amplified and sequenced. Primer pairs for IL8, IL17, IL18, IL27 and MIF failed to generate amplification products. When compared to the available corresponding human and non-human primate sequences, most--except IL3 and IL4--showed identity degrees above 90%. Small variations in sequence can help to explain the failure to amplify certain genes or the amplification only at lower annealing temperatures as compared to human DNA samples for several primer pairs. The sequences made available provide the basis for designing molecular tools such as primers for real time PCR specific for A. infulatus and/or S. sciureus. The nucleotide sequences reported in this paper have been submitted to the GenBank nucleotide sequence database and have been assigned accession numbers DQ985386 to DQ985389, DQ989356 to DQ989369, FJ89020 to FJ89024, and FJ89029.

Collection and evaluation of semen from captive howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya)

Semen samples (n=58) were collected by electroejaculation from nine adult male howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya) between November 2000 and August 2001 at the National Primates Center, Ananindeua, Brazil. The ejaculates were free of coagulum. Mean (+/-S.D.) values were: volume, 0.09 +/- 0.05 ml; pH, 8.1 +/- 0.5; concentration 649.5 +/- 926.7 x 10(6) sperm/ml; progressive motility, 75.8 +/- 18.1%; forward progressive sperm motility (scale, 0-5), 3.5 +/- 1.0; live spermatozoa, 68.3 +/- 15.0%; primary defects, 9.6 +/- 4.5%; and secondary defects, 11.8 +/- 4.6%. There were high correlations between motility and live sperm (r = 0.91, P < 0.01), motility and forward progressive sperm motility (r = 0.84, P < 0.01) and between forward progressive sperm motility and live sperm (r = 0.78, P < 0.01). There were no alterations observed during clinical examinations and hematological analysis performed before and after semen collection. Therefore, the method was considered safe and efficient. It can be used for the evaluation of the breeding potential of male howler monkeys in captivity and for the establishment of new assisted reproductive technology (ART) for threatened species of neotropical primates.

Immunization of Saimiri sciureus monkeys with Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein-3 and glutamate-rich protein suggests that protection is related to antibody levels

The immunogenicity and protective efficacy of various antigen-adjuvant formulations derived either from the merozoite-surface protein-3 (MSP-3) or the glutamate-rich protein (GLURP) of Plasmodium falciparum were evaluated in Saimiri sciureus monkeys. These proteins were selected for immunogenicity studies based primarily on their capacity of inducing an antibody-dependent cellular inhibition effect on parasite growth. Some of the S. sciureus monkeys immunized with MSP-3(212-380)-AS02 or GLURP(27-500)-alum were able to fully or partially control parasitaemia upon an experimental P. falciparum [Falciparum Uganda Palo Alto (FUP-SP) strain] blood-stage infection, and this protection was related to the prechallenge antibody titres induced. The data are indicative that MSP-3 and GLURP can induce protective immunity against an experimental P. falciparum infection using adjuvants that are acceptable for human use and this should trigger further studies with those new antigens.

Chromosomal studies in Callicebus donacophilus pallescens, with classic and molecular cytogenetic approaches: multicolour FISH using human and Saguinus oedipus painting probes

This paper presents the karyotype of Callicebus donacophilus pallescens for the first time. The analysis included G-, C-, NOR-banding techniques and FISH with chromosome painting probes from Saguinus oedipus and Homo sapiens. The results were compared with the karyotypes of Callicebus moloch donacophilus and C. moloch previously published. These three karyotypes display the same diploid number (2n = 50) but diverge about the number of biarmed and acrocentric chromosomes. The acrocentrics 14 and 15 from C. m. donacophilus and C. moloch have undergone an in-tandem fusion originating a large acrocentric (pair 10) in C. d. pallescens. The major submetacentric pair (pair 1) from C. d. donacophilus and C. moloch have undergone fission originating two acrocentric pairs in C. d. pallescens (pairs 15 and 22). Herein was evidence that, in spite of the high interspecific variation among Callicebus, most of the chromosomes remained conserved.