Sequential Analysis of Anaplasma phagocytophilum msp2 Transcription in Murine and Equine Models of Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis

ABSTRACT Anaplasma phagocytophilum causes human granulocytic anaplasmosis by inducing immunopathologic responses. Its immunodominant Msp2 protein is encoded by a family of >100 paralogs. Msp2 (msp2) expression modulates in the absence of immune pressure, and prolonged in vitro passage modulates in vivo virulence. Because programmed MSP2 expression occurs in Anaplasma marginale, we hypothesized a similar event in A. phagocytophilum in vivo, with specific Msp2 expression triggering immunopathologic injury or clinical manifestations of disease. We examined msp2 transcripts in 11 B6 mice and 6 horses inoculated with low- or high-passage A. phagocytophilum Webster strain. Blood was sequentially obtained through 3 weeks postinfection for msp2 reverse transcription-PCR. Horses were additionally assessed for clinical manifestations, seroconversion, complete blood count, blood chemistry, and cytokine gene transcription. In both species, there was no consistent emergence of msp2 transcripts, and all 22 msp2 variants were detected in both passage groups. Clinical severity was much higher for high-passage-infected than for low-passage-infected horses, preceded by higher levels of blood gamma interferon transcription on day 7. Antibody was first detected on day 7, and all horses seroconverted by day 22, with a trend toward lower antibody titers in low-passage-infected animals. Leukocyte and platelet counts were similar between experimental groups except on day 13, when low-passage-infected animals had more profound thrombocytopenia. These findings corroborate studies with mice, where msp2 diversity did not explain differences in hepatic histopathology, but differ from the paradigm of low-passage A. phagocytophilum causing more significant clinical illness. Alteration in transcription of msp2 has no bearing on clinical disease in horses, suggesting the existence of a separate proinflammatory component differentially expressed with changing in vitro passage.

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

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s0031182006000539 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 133 (4) ◽

pp. 421-432 ◽

Cited By ~ 47

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.

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Anaplasma phagocytophilum Infection Induces Protracted Neutrophil Degranulation

Infection and Immunity ◽

10.1128/iai.72.6.3680-3683.2004 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 72 (6) ◽

pp. 3680-3683 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Kyoung-seong Choi ◽

Dennis J. Grab ◽

J. Stephen Dumler

Keyword(s):

Anaplasma Phagocytophilum ◽

Tissue Injury ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis ◽

Granulocytic Anaplasmosis ◽

Neutrophil Degranulation ◽

Do So ◽

Inflammatory Tissue

ABSTRACT Anaplasma phagocytophilum-infected neutrophil degranulation could exacerbate inflammation. Thus, the degranulation of infected neutrophils was assayed. Infected neutrophils expressed CD11b and CD66b, and supernatants of infected neutrophils showed more proMMP-9 and MMP-9 activity than controls and continued to do so for ≥18 h. Degranulation-related inflammatory tissue injury may account for some clinical manifestations in human granulocytic anaplasmosis.

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Immunization against Anaplasma phagocytophilum Adhesin Binding Domains Confers Protection against Infection in the Mouse Model

Infection and Immunity ◽

10.1128/iai.00106-20 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 88 (10) ◽

Author(s):

Waheeda A. Naimi ◽

Jacob J. Gumpf ◽

Ryan S. Green ◽

Jerilyn R. Izac ◽

Matthew P. Zellner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Peripheral Blood ◽

Anaplasma Phagocytophilum ◽

Protein A ◽

Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin ◽

Host Cells ◽

Content Type ◽

Binding Domains ◽

Granulocytic Anaplasmosis

ABSTRACT Anaplasma phagocytophilum causes granulocytic anaplasmosis, a debilitating infection that can be fatal in the immunocompromised. It also afflicts animals, including dogs, horses, and sheep. No granulocytic anaplasmosis vaccine exists. Because A. phagocytophilum is an obligate intracellular bacterium, inhibiting microbe-host cell interactions that facilitate invasion can disrupt infection. The binding domains of A. phagocytophilum adhesins A. phagocytophilum invasion protein A (AipA), A. phagocytophilum surface protein (Asp14), and outer membrane protein A (OmpA) are essential for optimal bacterial entry into host cells, but their relevance to infection in vivo is undefined. In this study, C57BL/6 mice were immunized with a cocktail of keyhole limpet hemocyanin-conjugated peptides corresponding to the AipA, Asp14, and OmpA binding domains in alum followed by challenge with A. phagocytophilum. The bacterial peripheral blood burden was pronouncedly reduced in immunized mice compared to controls. Examination of pre- and postchallenge sera from these mice revealed that immunization elicited antibodies against AipA and Asp14 peptides but not OmpA peptide. Nonetheless, pooled sera from pre- and postchallenge groups, but not from control groups, inhibited A. phagocytophilum infection of HL-60 cells. Adhesin domain immunization also elicited interferon gamma (IFN-γ)-producing CD8-positive (CD8+) T cells. A follow-up study confirmed that immunization against only the AipA or Asp14 binding domain was sufficient to reduce the bacterial peripheral blood load in mice following challenge and elicit antibodies that inhibit A. phagocytophilum cellular infection in vitro. These data demonstrate that AipA and Asp14 are critical for A. phagocytophilum to productively infect mice, and immunization against their binding domains elicits a protective immune response.

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Pan-American Lancehead Pit-Vipers: Coagulotoxic Venom Effects and Antivenom Neutralisation of Bothrops asper and B. atrox Geographical Variants

Toxins ◽

10.3390/toxins13020078 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 78

Author(s):

Lachlan A. Bourke ◽

Christina N. Zdenek ◽

Edgar Neri-Castro ◽

Melisa Bénard-Valle ◽

Alejandro Alagón ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Evolutionary Biology ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

In Vivo Studies ◽

Factor X ◽

Clotting Factors ◽

Bothrops Asper ◽

Species Specific

The toxin composition of snake venoms and, thus, their functional activity, can vary between and within species. Intraspecific venom variation across a species’ geographic range is a major concern for antivenom treatment of envenomations, particularly for countries like French Guiana that lack a locally produced antivenom. Bothrops asper and Bothrops atrox are the most medically significant species of snakes in Latin America, both producing a variety of clinical manifestations, including systemic bleeding. These pathophysiological actions are due to the activation by the venom of the blood clotting factors Factor X and prothrombin, thereby causing severe consumptive coagulopathy. Both species are extremely wide-ranging, and previous studies have shown their venoms to exhibit regional venom variation. In this study, we investigate the differential coagulotoxic effects on human plasma of six venoms (four B. asper and two B. atrox samples) from different geographic locations, spanning from Mexico to Peru. We assessed how the venom variation of these venom samples affects neutralisation by five regionally available antivenoms: Antivipmyn, Antivipmyn-Tri, PoliVal-ICP, Bothrofav, and Soro Antibotrópico (SAB). The results revealed both inter- and intraspecific variations in the clotting activity of the venoms. These variations in turn resulted in significant variation in antivenom efficacy against the coagulotoxic effects of these venoms. Due to variations in the venoms used in the antivenom production process, antivenoms differed in their species-specific or geographical neutralisation capacity. Some antivenoms (PoliVal-ICP, Bothrofav, and SAB) showed species-specific patterns of neutralisation, while another antivenom (Antivipmyn) showed geographic-specific patterns of neutralisation. This study adds to current knowledge of Bothrops venoms and also illustrates the importance of considering evolutionary biology when developing antivenoms. Therefore, these results have tangible, real-world implications by aiding evidence-based design of antivenoms for treatment of the envenomed patient. We stress that these in vitro studies must be backed by future in vivo studies and clinical trials before therapeutic guidelines are issued regarding specific antivenom use in a clinical setting.

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Previous Humoral Immunity to the Endemic Seasonal Alphacoronaviruses NL63 and 229E Is Associated with Worse Clinical Outcome in COVID-19 and Suggests Original Antigenic Sin

Life ◽

10.3390/life11040298 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 298

Author(s):

Daniele Focosi ◽

Angelo Genoni ◽

Ersilia Lucenteforte ◽

Silvia Tillati ◽

Antonio Tamborini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Humoral Immunity ◽

Cross Reactivity ◽

Clinical Severity ◽

World Health ◽

Laboratory Findings ◽

Cellular And Humoral Immunity ◽

Rate Ratios ◽

Original Antigenic Sin

Antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS CoV-2) infection has been hypothesized. However, to date, there has been no in vitro or in vivo evidence supporting this. Cross-reactivity exists between SARS CoV-2 and other Coronaviridae for both cellular and humoral immunity. We show here that IgG against nucleocapsid protein of alphacoronavirus NL63 and 229E correlate with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) clinical severity score ≥ 5 (incidence rate ratios was 1.87 and 1.80, respectively, and 1.94 for the combination). These laboratory findings suggest possible ADE of SARS CoV-2 infection by previous alphacoronavirus immunity.

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A Biochemical and Pharmacological Characterization of Phospholipase A2 and Metalloproteinase Fractions from Eastern Russell’s Viper (Daboia siamensis) Venom: Two Major Components Associated with Acute Kidney Injury

Toxins ◽

10.3390/toxins13080521 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (8) ◽

pp. 521

Author(s):

Janeyuth Chaisakul ◽

Orawan Khow ◽

Kulachet Wiwatwarayos ◽

Muhamad Rusdi Ahmad Rusmili ◽

Watcharamon Prasert ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acute Kidney Injury ◽

Phospholipase A2 ◽

Protein Identification ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Kidney Injury ◽

Factor X ◽

Pharmacological Characterization ◽

Russell’S Viper

Acute kidney injury (AKI) following Eastern Russell’s viper (Daboia siamensis) envenoming is a significant symptom in systemically envenomed victims. A number of venom components have been identified as causing the nephrotoxicity which leads to AKI. However, the precise mechanism of nephrotoxicity caused by these toxins is still unclear. In the present study, we purified two proteins from D. siamensis venom, namely RvPLA2 and RvMP. Protein identification using LCMS/MS confirmed the identity of RvPLA2 to be snake venom phospholipase A2 (SVPLA2) from Thai D. siamensis venom, whereas RvMP exhibited the presence of a factor X activator with two subunits. In vitro and in vivo pharmacological studies demonstrated myotoxicity and histopathological changes of kidney, heart, and spleen. RvPLA2 (3–10 µg/mL) caused inhibition of direct twitches of the chick biventer cervicis muscle preparation. After administration of RvPLA2 or RvMP (300 µg/kg, i.p.) for 24 h, diffuse glomerular congestion and tubular injury with minor loss of brush border were detected in envenomed mice. RvPLA2 and RvMP (300 µg/kg; i.p.) also induced congestion and tissue inflammation of heart muscle as well as diffuse congestion of mouse spleen. This study showed the significant roles of PLA2 and SVMP in snake bite envenoming caused by Thai D. siamensis and their similarities with observed clinical manifestations in envenomed victims. This study also indicated that there is a need to reevaluate the current treatment strategies for Thai D. siamensis envenoming, given the potential for irreversible nephrotoxicity.

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Immunocompatibility of a new dual modality contrast agent based on radiolabeled iron-oxide nanoparticles

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-89117-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Maria-Argyro Karageorgou ◽

Dimosthenis Stamopoulos

Keyword(s):

Complete Blood Count ◽

Morphological Characteristics ◽

Mononuclear Phagocyte ◽

Dual Modality ◽

Immunodeficient Mice ◽

Force Microscopy ◽

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽

Diagnostic Applications

AbstractRadiolabeled magnetic nanoparticles are promising candidates as dual-modality-contrast-agents (DMCA) for diagnostic applications. The immunocompatibility of a new DMCA is a prerequisite for subsequent in vivo applications. Here, a new DMCA, namely Fe3O4 nanoparticles radiolabeled with 68Ga, is subjected to immunocompatibility tests both in vitro and in vivo. The in vitro immunocompatibility of the DMCA relied on incubation with donated human WBCs and PLTs (five healthy individuals). Optical microscopy (OM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were employed for the investigation of the morphological characteristics of WBCs and PLTs. A standard hematology analyzer (HA) provided information on complete blood count. The in vivo immunocompatibility of the DMCA was assessed through its biodistribution among the basic organs of the mononuclear phagocyte system in normal and immunodeficient mice (nine in each group). In addition, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) data were acquired in normal mice (three). The combined OM, AFM and HA in vitro data showed that although the DMCA promoted noticeable activation of WBCs and PLTs, neither degradation nor clustering were observed. The in vivo data showed no difference of the DMCA biodistribution between the normal and immunodeficient mice, while the MRI data prove the efficacy of the particular DMCA when compared to the non-radiolabeled, parent CA. The combined in vitro and in vivo data prove that the particular DMCA is a promising candidate for future in vivo applications.

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CXCR2 Blockade Influences Anaplasma phagocytophilum Propagation but Not Histopathology in the Mouse Model of Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis

Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology ◽

10.1128/cdli.11.5.963-968.2004 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 963-968 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

Diana G. Scorpio ◽

Mustafa Akkoyunlu ◽

Erol Fikrig ◽

J. Stephen Dumler

Keyword(s):

Anaplasma Phagocytophilum ◽

Tissue Injury ◽

Treated Group ◽

Obligate Intracellular Bacterium ◽

Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis ◽

Obligate Intracellular ◽

Liver Histopathology ◽

Granulocytic Anaplasmosis ◽

Infected Cells ◽

And Control

ABSTRACT Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an obligate intracellular bacterium that infects neutrophils and causes human granulocytic anaplasmosis. Infection induces neutrophil secretion of interleukin-8 or murine homologs and perpetuates infection by recruiting susceptible neutrophils. We hypothesized that antibody blockade of CXCR2 would decrease A. phagocytophilum tissue load by interrupting neutrophil recruitment but would not influence murine hepatic pathology. C3H-scid mice were treated with CXCR2 antiserum or control prior to or on day 14 after infection. Quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry for A. phagocytophilum were performed and severity of liver histopathology was ranked. Control mice had more infected cells in tissues than the anti-CXCR2-treated group. The histopathological rank was not different between treated and control animals. Infected cells of control mice clustered in tissue more than in treated mice. The results support the hypothesis of bacterial propagation through chemokine induction and confirm that tissue injury is unrelated to A. phagocytophilum tissue load.

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Differential Regulation of Ferritin Subunits and Iron Transport Proteins: An Effect of Targeted Hepatic X-Irradiation

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2013/353106 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Naila Naz ◽

Shakil Ahmad ◽

Silke Cameron ◽

Federico Moriconi ◽

Margret Rave-Fränk ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Radiation Effects ◽

Complete Blood Count ◽

Mrna Level ◽

Isolated Hepatocytes ◽

Serum Marker ◽

Neutrophil Granulocytes ◽

Early Increase ◽

Radiation Induced

The current study aimed to investigate radiation-induced regulation of iron proteins including ferritin subunits in rats. Rat livers were selectively irradiatedin vivoat 25 Gy. This dose can be used to model radiation effects to the liver without inducing overt radiation-induced liver disease. Sham-irradiated rats served as controls. Isolated hepatocytes were irradiated at 8 Gy. Ferritin light polypeptide (FTL) was detectable in the serum of sham-irradiated rats with an increase after irradiation. Liver irradiation increased hepatic protein expression of both ferritin subunits. A rather early increase (3 h) was observed for hepatic TfR1 and Fpn-1 followed by a decrease at 12 h. The increase in TfR2 persisted over the observed time. Parallel to the elevation of AST levels, a significant increase (24 h) in hepatic iron content was measured. Complete blood count analysis showed a significant decrease in leukocyte number with an early increase in neutrophil granulocytes and a decrease in lymphocytes.In vitro, a significant increase in ferritin subunits at mRNA level was detected after irradiation which was further induced with a combination treatment of irradiation and acute phase cytokine. Irradiation can directly alter the expression of ferritin subunits and this response can be strongly influenced by radiation-induced proinflammatory cytokines. FTL can be used as a serum marker for early phase radiation-induced liver damage.

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