Identification and characterization of a porcine monocytic cell line supporting porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) replication and progeny virion production by using an improved DNA-launched PRRSV reverse genetics system

ABSTRACT Mycobacterium marinum, a relatively rapid-growing fish and human pathogen, has become an important model for the investigation of mycobacterial pathogenesis. M. marinumis closely related to the Mycobacterium tuberculosiscomplex and causes a disease in fish and amphibians with pathology similar to tuberculosis. We have developed an in vitro model for the study of M. marinum virulence mechanisms using the carp monocytic cell line CLC (carp leukocyte culture). We found that fish monocytes can differentiate between pathogenic and nonpathogenic mycobacterial species. Interestingly, M. marinum enters fish monocytes at a 40- to 60-fold-higher rate thanMycobacterium smegmatis. In addition, M. marinum survives and replicates in fish monocytes whileM. smegmatis is killed. We also found that M. marinum inhibits lysosomal fusion in fish monocytes, indicating that these cells may be used to dissect the mechanisms of intracellular trafficking in mycobacteria. We conclude from these observations that monocytic cells from fish, a natural host for M. marinum, provide an extremely valuable model for the identification and characterization of mycobacterial virulence determinants in the laboratory.

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Characterization of a complement-fragment-C5a-stimulated calcium-influx mechanism in U937 monocytic cells

Biochemical Journal ◽

10.1042/bj2950679 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 295 (3) ◽

pp. 679-684 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

P N Monk ◽

L J Partridge

Keyword(s):

Cell Line ◽

Pertussis Toxin ◽

Inositol Phosphates ◽

Calcium Influx ◽

Cell Types ◽

U937 Cells ◽

Monocytic Cell ◽

Monocytic Cell Line ◽

Monocytic Cells

The mechanism by which complement fragment C5a elevates intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) levels in two cell types, a monocytic cell line, U937, and neutrophils, has been investigated by the use of fluorometric and radiometric techniques. In U937 cells the influx of extracellular Ca2+ can be distinguished from the release of intracellular Ca2+ stores in terms of dose-responsiveness to C5a and sensitivity to pertussis-toxin poisoning. This suggests that the mechanism of Ca2+ influx in these cells is at least partially independent of both the production of inositol phosphates and elevation of internal Ca2+ concentration. The C5a-stimulated influx of 45Ca2+ into U937 cells is inhibited by a series of metal ions (Zn2+ > Co2+ > Mn2+ > Sr2+ approximately equal to Ni2+ > La3+). The stimulated influx of Ca2+ into neutrophils is inhibited differently (Ni2 >> Co2+ > Zn2+ approximately equal to La3+ > Mn2+ approximately equal to Sr2+), is less sensitive to C5a and both the influx of extracellular Ca2+ and the release of intracellular stores are equally sensitive to pertussis toxin treatment. Taken together these results indicate that [Ca2+]i is controlled in U937 monocytes by mechanisms distinct from those which appear to operate in other myeloid cells, such as neutrophils, stimulated with C5a and formylpeptide.

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