scholarly journals In vitro and in vivo characterization of a recombinant rhesus cytomegalovirus containing a complete genome

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Husam Taher ◽  
Eisa Mahyari ◽  
Craig Kreklywich ◽  
Luke S. Uebelhoer ◽  
Matthew R. McArdle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Culture ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Congenital Infection ◽  
Artificial Chromosome ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Sequence Information ◽  
Low Passage

AbstractCytomegaloviruses (CMVs) are highly adapted to their host species resulting in strict species specificity. Hence, in vivo examination of all aspects of CMV biology employs animal models using host-specific CMVs. Infection of rhesus macaques (RM) with rhesus CMV (RhCMV) has been established as a representative model for infection of humans with HCMV due to the close evolutionary relationships of both host and virus. However, the commonly used 68-1 strain of RhCMV has been passaged in fibroblasts for decades resulting in multiple genomic changes due to tissue culture adaptation that cause reduced viremia in RhCMV-naïve animals and limited shedding compared to low passage isolates. Using sequence information from primary RhCMV isolates we constructed a full-length (FL) RhCMV by repairing all presumed mutations in the 68-1 bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC). Inoculation of adult, immunocompetent, RhCMV-naïve RM with the reconstituted virus resulted in significant replication in the blood similar to primary isolates of RhCMV and furthermore led to extensive viremia in many tissues at day 14 post infection. In contrast, viral dissemination and viremia was greatly reduced upon deletion of genes also lacking in 68-1. Transcriptome analysis of infected tissues further revealed that chemokine-like genes deleted in 68-1 are among the most highly expressed viral transcripts both in vitro and in vivo consistent with an important immunomodulatory function of the respective proteins. We conclude that FL-RhCMV displays in vitro and in vivo characteristics of a wildtype virus while being amenable to genetic modifications through BAC recombineering techniques.Author SummaryHuman cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections are generally asymptomatic in healthy immunocompetent individuals, but HCMV can cause serious disease after congenital infection and in individuals with immunocompromised immune systems. Since HCMV is highly species specific and cannot productively infect immunocompetent laboratory animals, experimental infection of rhesus macaques (RM) with rhesus CMV (RhCMV) has been established as a closely related animal model for HCMV. By employing the unique ability of CMV to elicit robust and lasting cellular immunity, this model has also been instrumental in developing novel CMV-based vaccines against chronic and recurring infections with pathogens such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). However, most of this work was conducted with derivatives of the 68-1 strain of RhCMV which has acquired multiple genomic alterations in tissue culture. To model pathogenesis and immunology of clinical HCMV isolates we generated a full-length (FL) RhCMV clone representative of low passage isolates. Infection of RhCMV-naïve RM with FL-RhCMV demonstrated viremia and tissue dissemination that was comparable to that of non-clonal low passage isolates. We further demonstrate that FL-RhCMV is strongly attenuated upon deletion of gene regions absent in 68-1 thus demonstrating the usefulness of FL-RhCMV to study RhCMV pathogenesis.

scholarly journals In vitro and in vivo characterization of a recombinant rhesus cytomegalovirus containing a complete genome

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. e1008666
Author(s):  
Husam Taher ◽  
Eisa Mahyari ◽  
Craig Kreklywich ◽  
Luke S. Uebelhoer ◽  
Matthew R. McArdle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Artificial Chromosome ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Sequence Information ◽  
Genomic Changes ◽  
Copy Numbers ◽  
Genetic Modifications ◽  
Low Passage

Cytomegaloviruses (CMVs) are highly adapted to their host species resulting in strict species specificity. Hence, in vivo examination of all aspects of CMV biology employs animal models using host-specific CMVs. Infection of rhesus macaques (RM) with rhesus CMV (RhCMV) has been established as a representative model for infection of humans with HCMV due to the close evolutionary relationships of both host and virus. However, the only available RhCMV clone that permits genetic modifications is based on the 68–1 strain which has been passaged in fibroblasts for decades resulting in multiple genomic changes due to tissue culture adaptations. As a result, 68–1 displays reduced viremia in RhCMV-naïve animals and limited shedding compared to non-clonal, low passage isolates. To overcome this limitation, we used sequence information from primary RhCMV isolates to construct a full-length (FL) RhCMV by repairing all mutations affecting open reading frames (ORFs) in the 68–1 bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC). Inoculation of adult, immunocompetent, RhCMV-naïve RM with the reconstituted virus resulted in significant viremia in the blood similar to primary isolates of RhCMV and furthermore led to high viral genome copy numbers in many tissues at day 14 post infection. In contrast, viral dissemination was greatly reduced upon deletion of genes also lacking in 68–1. Transcriptome analysis of infected tissues further revealed that chemokine-like genes deleted in 68–1 are among the most highly expressed viral transcripts both in vitro and in vivo consistent with an important immunomodulatory function of the respective proteins. We conclude that FL-RhCMV displays in vitro and in vivo characteristics of a wildtype virus while being amenable to genetic modifications through BAC recombineering techniques.

Long-term passage of tachyzoites in tissue culture can attenuate virulence of Neospora caninum in vivo

Parasitology ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 133 (4) ◽  
pp. 421-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. M. BARTLEY ◽  
S. WRIGHT ◽  
J. SALES ◽  
F. CHIANINI ◽  
D. BUXTON ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Culture ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
High Passage ◽  
Low Passage

To determine whether prolonged in vitro passage would result in attenuation of virulence in vivo, Neospora caninum tachyzoites were passaged for different lengths of time in vitro and compared for their ability to cause disease in mice. Groups of Balb/c mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with 5×106 or 1×107 of low-passage or high-passage N. caninum tachyzoites. The mice were monitored for changes in their demeanour and body weight, and were culled when severe clinical symptoms of murine neosporosis were observed. Mice inoculated with the high-passage parasites survived longer (P<0·05), and showed fewer clinical symptoms of murine neosporosis, compared to the mice receiving the low-passage parasites. The parasite was detected in the brains of inoculated mice using immunohistochemistry and ITS1 PCR. Tissue cysts containing parasites were seen in mice inoculated with both low-passage and high-passage parasites. When the in vitro growth rates of the parasites were compared, the high-passage parasites initially multiplied more rapidly (P<0·001) than the low-passage parasites, suggesting that the high-passage parasites had become more adapted to tissue culture. These results would suggest that it is possible to attenuate the virulence of N. caninum tachyzoites in mice through prolonged in vitro passage.

Neurotoxicity of Pesticides: The Roadmap for the Cubic Mode of Action

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bogdan Bumbăcilă ◽  
Mihai V. Putz
Keyword(s):  
Biological Activity ◽  
Wiener Index ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Covalent Bonds ◽  
Organophosphate Compounds ◽  
Sar Studies ◽  
Structure Activity ◽  
Cubic Structure

Pesticides are used today on a planetary-wide scale. The rising need for substances with this biological activity due to an increasing consumption of agricultural and animal products and to the development of urban areas makes the chemical industry to constantly investigate new molecules or to improve the physicochemical characteristics, increase the biological activities and improve the toxicity profiles of the already known ones. Molecular databases are increasingly accessible for in vitro and in vivo bioavailability studies. In this context, structure-activity studies, by their in silico - in cerebro methods, are used to precede in vitro and in vivo studies in plants and experimental animals because they can indicate trends by statistical methods or biological activity models expressed as mathematical equations or graphical correlations, so a direction of study can be developed or another can be abandoned, saving financial resources, time and laboratory animals. Following this line of research the present paper reviews the Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) studies and proposes a correlation between a topological connectivity index and the biological activity or toxicity made as a result of a study performed on 11 molecules of organophosphate compounds, randomly chosen, with a basic structure including a Phosphorus atom double bounded to an Oxygen atom or to a Sulfur one and having three other simple covalent bonds with two alkoxy (-methoxy or -ethoxy) groups and to another functional group different from the alkoxy groups. The molecules were packed on a cubic structure consisting of three adjacent cubes, respecting a principle of topological efficiency, that of occupying a minimal space in that cubic structure, a method that was called the Clef Method. The central topological index selected for correlation was the Wiener index, since it was possible this way to discuss different adjacencies between the nodes in the graphs corresponding to the organophosphate compounds molecules packed on the cubic structure; accordingly, &quot;three dimensional&quot; variants of these connectivity indices could be considered and further used for studying the qualitative-quantitative relationships for the specific molecule-enzyme interaction complexes, including correlation between the Wiener weights (nodal specific contributions to the total Wiener index of the molecular graph) and the biochemical reactivity of some of the atoms. Finally, when passing from SAR to Q(uantitative)-SAR studies, especially by the present advanced method of the cubic molecule (Clef Method) and its good assessment of the (neuro)toxicity of the studied molecules and of their inhibitory effect on the target enzyme - acetylcholinesterase, it can be seen that a predictability of the toxicity and activity of different analogue compounds can be ensured, facilitating the in vivo experiments or improving the usage of pesticides.

scholarly journals Necrostatin-1 Supplementation to Islet Tissue Culture Enhances the In-Vitro Development and Graft Function of Young Porcine Islets

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (16) ◽  
pp. 8367
Author(s):  
Hien Lau ◽  
Shiri Li ◽  
Nicole Corrales ◽  
Samuel Rodriguez ◽  
Mohammadreza Mohammadi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Culture ◽  
Oxygen Consumption ◽  
Insulin Secretion ◽  
Oxygen Consumption Rate ◽  
Consumption Rate ◽  
In Vitro Development ◽  
Porcine Islets ◽  
Vitro Development

Pre-weaned porcine islets (PPIs) represent an unlimited source for islet transplantation but are functionally immature. We previously showed that necrostatin-1 (Nec-1) immediately after islet isolation enhanced the in vitro development of PPIs. Here, we examined the impact of Nec-1 on the in vivo function of PPIs after transplantation in diabetic mice. PPIs were isolated from pancreata of 8–15-day-old, pre-weaned pigs and cultured in media alone, or supplemented with Nec-1 (100 µM) on day 0 or on day 3 of culture (n = 5 for each group). On day 7, islet recovery, viability, oxygen consumption rate, insulin content, cellular composition, insulin secretion capacity, and transplant outcomes were evaluated. While islet viability and oxygen consumption rate remained high throughout 7-day tissue culture, Nec-1 supplementation on day 3 significantly improved islet recovery, insulin content, endocrine composition, GLUT2 expression, differentiation potential, proliferation capacity of endocrine cells, and insulin secretion. Adding Nec-1 on day 3 of tissue culture enhanced the islet recovery, proportion of delta cells, beta-cell differentiation and proliferation, and stimulation index. In vivo, this leads to shorter times to normoglycemia, better glycemic control, and higher circulating insulin. Our findings identify the novel time-dependent effects of Nec-1 supplementation on porcine islet quantity and quality prior to transplantation.

scholarly journals Microtubule Actin Cross-Linking Factor (Macf)

1999 ◽  
Vol 147 (6) ◽  
pp. 1275-1286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Conrad L. Leung ◽  
Dongming Sun ◽  
Min Zheng ◽  
David R. Knowles ◽  
Ronald K.H. Liem
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Binding ◽  
Coiled Coil ◽  
Specific Protein ◽  
Binding Domain ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Cross Linking ◽  
Actin Binding Domain

We cloned and characterized a full-length cDNA of mouse actin cross-linking family 7 (mACF7) by sequential rapid amplification of cDNA ends–PCR. The completed mACF7 cDNA is 17 kb and codes for a 608-kD protein. The closest relative of mACF7 is the Drosophila protein Kakapo, which shares similar architecture with mACF7. mACF7 contains a putative actin-binding domain and a plakin-like domain that are highly homologous to dystonin (BPAG1-n) at its NH2 terminus. However, unlike dystonin, mACF7 does not contain a coiled–coil rod domain; instead, the rod domain of mACF7 is made up of 23 dystrophin-like spectrin repeats. At its COOH terminus, mACF7 contains two putative EF-hand calcium-binding motifs and a segment homologous to the growth arrest–specific protein, Gas2. In this paper, we demonstrate that the NH2-terminal actin-binding domain of mACF7 is functional both in vivo and in vitro. More importantly, we found that the COOH-terminal domain of mACF7 interacts with and stabilizes microtubules. In transfected cells full-length mACF7 can associate not only with actin but also with microtubules. Hence, we suggest a modified name: MACF (microtubule actin cross-linking factor). The properties of MACF are consistent with the observation that mutations in kakapo cause disorganization of microtubules in epidermal muscle attachment cells and some sensory neurons.

Transcriptional activation by herpes simplex virus type 1 VP16 in vitro and its inhibition by oligopeptides

1994 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 3484-3493
Author(s):  
T J Wu ◽  
G Monokian ◽  
D F Mark ◽  
C R Wobbe
Keyword(s):  
Herpes Simplex Virus ◽  
Herpes Simplex ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Deletion Mutant ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Early Gene ◽  
Immediate Early ◽  
Simplex Virus

VP16 is a herpes simplex virus (HSV)-encoded transcriptional activator protein that is essential for efficient viral replication and as such may be a target for novel therapeutic agents directed against viral gene expression. We have reconstituted transcriptional activation by VP16 in an in vitro system that is dependent on DNA sequences from HSV immediate-early gene promoters and on protein-protein interactions between VP16 and Oct-1 that are required for VP16 activation in vivo. Activation increased synergistically with the number of TAATGARAT elements (the cis-acting element for VP16 activation in vivo) upstream of the core promoter, and mutations of this element that reduce Oct-1 or VP16 DNA binding reduced transactivation in vitro. A VP16 insertion mutant unable to interact with Oct-1 was inactive, but, surprisingly, a deletion mutant lacking the activation domain was approximately 65% as active as the full-length protein. The activation domains of Oct-1 were necessary for activation in reactions containing the VP16 deletion mutant, and they contributed significantly to activation by full-length VP16. Addition of a GA-rich element present in many HSV immediate-early gene enhancers synergistically stimulated VP16-activated transcription. Finally, oligopeptides that are derived from a region of VP16 thought to contact a cellular factor known as HCF (host cell factor) and that inhibit efficient VP16 binding to the TAATGARAT element also specifically inhibited VP16-activated, but not basal, transcription. Amino acid substitutions in one of these peptides identified three residues that are absolutely required for inhibition and presumably for interaction of VP16 with HCF.

The potential reproductive effects of exposure of domestic ruminants to endocrine disrupting compounds

2002 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.L. Boerjan ◽  
S. Freijnagel ◽  
S.M. Rhind ◽  
G.A.L. Meijer
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Compounds ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Domestic Ruminants ◽  
Reproductive Effects ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting ◽  
Contaminated Food

AbstractChemical compounds that mimic or block some of the actions of the steroid hormone oestradiol, have created public concern primarily because of potential adverse reproductive effects in wildlife and humans. Many studies, in vivo and in vitro, have revealed abnormal reproductive function following exposure to these compounds. The number of chemicals known to have the potential to modulate endocrine functions is increasing. In contrast to humans and wildlife, the potential reproductive effects of exposure of domestic animals to endocrine disrupting compounds (EDC) have been studied little. The aim of this overview is to evaluate the possible contribution of EDC to reproductive failure in domestic ruminants.Sources and classes of EDC are discussed as well as their structure and the modes of hormone disruption. Endocrine disrupting agents may interfere with the reproductive processes of both males and females at several points of the reproductive cycle and through a range of physiological mechanisms. Extrapolating from the results obtained with laboratory animals, the mechanisms whereby infertility in domestic ruminants might be expressed by exposure to EDC through contaminated food and drinking water are addressed.A preliminary risk assessment is included and it is concluded that under certain circumstances there may be a significantly enhanced intake of oestrogenic hormones and EDC through sewage-contaminated water or soil-contaminated herbage. The physiological consequences for domestic ruminants of EDC ingestion, at the rates estimated, are largely unknown. However, the levels of exposure to oestrogenic hormones and phthalates in grazing ruminants are such that when studying fertility problems in high-yielding dairy cattle the impacts of exposure to endocrine disruptors via the food and drinking water cannot be neglected.

Progastrin1–80stimulates growth of intestinal epithelial cells in vitro via high-affinity binding sites

2003 ◽  
Vol 284 (2) ◽  
pp. G328-G339 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Singh ◽  
X. Lu ◽  
S. Cobb ◽  
B. T. Miller ◽  
N. Tarasova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial Cells ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial ◽  
Growth Effects ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Significant Difference

Proliferation and carcinogenesis of the large intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) cells is significantly increased in transgenic mice that overexpress the precursor progastrin (PG) peptide. It is not known if the in vivo growth effects of PG on IEC cells are mediated directly or indirectly. Full-length recombinant human PG (rhPG1–80) was generated to examine possible direct effects of PG on IEC cells. Surprisingly, rhPG (0.1–1.0 nM) was more effective than the completely processed gastrin 17 (G17) peptide as a growth factor. Even though IEC cells did not express CCK1and CCK2receptors (-R), fluorescently labeled G17 and Gly-extended G17 (G-Gly) were specifically bound to the cells, suggesting the presence of binding proteins other than CCK1-R and CCK2-R on IEC cells. High-affinity ( Kd= 0.5–1.0 nM) binding sites for125I-rhPG were discovered on IEC cells that demonstrated relative binding affinity for gastrin-like peptides in the order PG ≥ COOH-terminally extended G17 ≥ G-Gly > G17 > *CCK-8 (* significant difference; P< 0.05). In conclusion, our studies demonstrate for the first time direct growth effects of the full-length precursor peptide on IEC cells in vitro that are apparently mediated by the high-affinity PG binding sites that were discovered on these cells.

scholarly journals ELECTRON MICROSCOPY OF PLASMA-CELL TUMORS OF THE MOUSE

1961 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 369-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. F. Parsons ◽  
M. A. Bender ◽  
E. B. Darden ◽  
Guthrie T. Pratt ◽  
D. L. Lindsley
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Tissue Culture ◽  
Complex Structure ◽  
Granular Body ◽  
Virus Particles ◽  
Culture Cells ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Tumor Agent

The X5563 tumor has been grown in tissue culture. Cells similar to those of the original tumor migrated from the explant and attached to the glass walls of the culture vessels. Electron microscopy showed that large numbers of particles, similar in morphology to virus particles, were associated with these cells after 7 days of culture. The two principal types of particles found in the tumor in vivo appear to be present in vitro. Many more of these particles, however, were larger and showed a more complex structure. Whereas the particles were mainly localized inside endoplasmic reticulum or the Golgi zone in the tumors in vivo, in the tissue culture the majority of the particles were associated with the plasma membrane and were found outside of the cells. The relation of the particles to the granular body is discussed as well as a possible relation to the mammary tumor agent.

In Vivo Interactions with (Tissue Culture Pretreated) Dermal Sheep Collagen

1991 ◽  
Vol 252 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. B. van Wachem ◽  
P. B. van Wachem ◽  
L. H. H. Olde Damink ◽  
P. J. Dijkstra ◽  
J. Feijen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Culture ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
Marked Reduction ◽  
Giant Cells ◽  
In Vitro Cytotoxicity ◽  
Cell Infiltration ◽  
Cytotoxic Effects ◽  
Lipid Formation

ABSTRACTPretreatment in tissue culture (TC) was previously found to markedly reduce the in vitro cytotoxicity of two types of crosslinked dermal sheep collagens (DSC's). This in vivo study confirms our in vitro results, in that TC-pretreatment of crosslinked DSC's resulted in the marked reduction or elimination of cytotoxic effects, such as increased cell infiltration, a deviant neutrophil-morphology, lipid formation and cell death. TC-pretreatment affected the crosslinked state of both DSC's in a different way, which could be deduced from the differences in gelatin-formation and presence of giant cells from macrophage- or fibroblast-origin. The results are explained in view of the differences in crosslinking.

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