Adaptive morphogenesis of the adrenal glands of ducks in conditions of hyperthermia

It was found that under conditions of hyperthermia, morphofunctional changes develop in the interrenal part of the adrenal glands, indicating an increase in the functional activity of the gland. The study of ducks on the 5th day of hyperthermia revealed loosening and thickening of the adrenal gland capsule compared to the control. Significant hemodynamic disorders were noted: the phenomena of stasis and erythrocyte sludge in sharply expanded blood capillaries of the adrenal glands. It was found that on the 10th day of hyperthermia, hemodynamic disorders are progressive: the phenomena of sludge and red blood cell stasis are less pronounced, but parenchymal edema and a sharp expansion of sinusoid capillaries persist. Changes in interrenal cells (their high prismatic shape, cytoplasmic vacuolization, apical granularity) are also determined to characterize the high secretory activity of endocrinocytes. The found changes indicate the development of a stress reaction.

The Effect of Crude Extract and Fractions of Teucrium polium L. on the Brain, Liver, and Kidney of Male Rats

Background: Teucrium polium (TP) is a medicinal plant with a long history of consumption as a folk remedy for curing many diseases, including diabetes, common cold, obesity, anxiety, etc. Objectives: The present study aimed at investigating the effects of TP crude extracts (TPCE), as well as its diethyl ether (DE) and petroleum ether (PE) fractions, on the brain, kidney, and liver tissue of male rats in the subchronic phase. Methods: In the study, 45 adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five groups as the PBS (receiving phosphate buffer saline), vehicle (receiving dimethyl sulfoxide), as well as CE, PE, and DE receiving 3 mg/kg (100 µL) TPCE, PE, and DE, respectively, for six weeks. Histopathological examinations by hematoxylin and eosin staining investigated morphological changes in all specimens. Also, the brain samples were stained by the immunohistochemistry (IHC) technique with Ki-67, CD31, p53, Nestin, and GFAP markers. Results: The findings showed that the prolonged consumption of TP caused the formation of histological lesions as apoptosis, degeneration, cytoplasmic vacuolization of neurons, and foamy cells in the brain. The liver, displayed cytoplasmic vacuolization, apoptosis, degeneration, and dilated sinusoids. Moreover, TP led to atrophy, vacuolization, and necrosis in renal cells. IHC studies evidenced an increase in the expression of P53, whereas the expression of Ki67 and CD31 decreased. It should be noted that TP crude extract and fractions were toxic; however, the PE fraction was more cytotoxic than others. Conclusions: The study findings indicated that long-term administration of a sublethal dose of TP impairs cellular integrity in vital orangs, including the liver, brain, and kidney, through triggering the cell death mechanisms.

Swainsonine Triggers Paraptosis via ER Stress and MAPK Signaling Pathway in Rat Primary Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells

Swainsonine (SW), an indolizidine alkaloid extracted from locoweeds, was shown toxic effects in multiple studies, but the underlying action mechanism remains unclear. SW is known to cause autophagy and apoptosis, but there has been no report on paraptosis mediated cell death. Here, we showed that SW induced rat primary renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) death accompanied by vacuolation in vitro. The fluorescence with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-Tracker Red and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results indicated that the vacuoles were of ER origin, typical of paraptosis. The level of ER stress markers, such as polyubiquitinated proteins, Bip, CHOP and cytoplasmic concentration of Ca2+ have drastically increased. Interestingly, autophagy inhibitor could not interrupt but enhanced the induction of cytoplasmic vacuolization. Furthermore, MAPK pathways were activated by SW and inhibitors of ERK and JNK pathways could prevent the formation of cytoplasmic vacuolization. In this study, we confirmed that SW induced cell paraptosis through ER stress and MAPK signaling pathway, thus further laying a theoretical foundation for the study of SW toxicity mechanism.

Isolamento e avaliação do comportamento do vírus ORF em células de córnea fetal caprina e identificação pela Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase

The control of the infection in endemic regions is performed with vaccines, however there are limitations in the vaccine production due to the difficulties in replicating the virus in cell cultures. This work was conducted so as to isolate and evaluate the behavior of ECV samples in fetal goat cell line cornea (CorFC) naturally immortalized. Crust samples from 22 sheep and seven goats presenting the clinical symptoms of EC from the states of Pernambuco, Bahia, Sergipe and Paraíba, were inoculated in CorFC monolayers and identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers for amplification of a fragment of235 bp of gene B2L envelope ECV. Eleven samples were submitted to seven consecutive passes, at weekly intervals. Cytopathic effect (CPE) was observed in all passages, after24 hours post-infection, characterized by cell rounding, syncytial fusion with training, inclusion and cytoplasmic vacuolization. Thus, CorFC cell cultures proved highly permissible to ECV replication with small variation among viral samples. The PCR technique can be an efficient method used for confirmation of ECV infection in clinical samples.

Increased TNF-α Initiates Cytoplasmic Vacuolization in Whole Blood Coculture with Dengue Virus

During the acute febrile phase of dengue virus (DENV) infection, viremia can cause severe systemic immune responses accompanied by hematologic disorders. This study investigated the potential induction and mechanism of the cytopathic effects of DENV on peripheral blood cells ex vivo. At one day postinfection, there was viral nonstructural protein NS1 but no further virus replication measured in the whole blood culture. Notably, DENV exposure caused significant vacuolization in monocytic phagocytes. With a minor change in the complete blood cell count, except for a minor increase in neutrophils and a significant decrease in monocytes, the immune profiling assay identified several changes, particularly a significant reduction in CD14-positive monocytes as well as CD11c-positive dendritic cells. Abnormal production of TNF-α was highly associated with the induction of vacuolization. Manipulating TNF-α expression resulted in cytopathogenic effects. These results demonstrate the potential hematological damage caused by ex vivo DENV-induced TNF-α.

Cymbopogon citratus essential oil-induced ultrastructural & morphological changes in the midgut, cuticle & Haller’s organ of the tick Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae)

Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann is a widely distributed species known for its capacity to transmit pathogens of medical, public health, and veterinary importance. Due to the environmental contamination caused by synthetic acaricides, plant essential oils have emerged as a promising alternative to manage tick infestation. This study evaluated the ultrastructural and morphological changes induced by Cymbopogon citratus Stapf (lemongrass) essential oil on adult H. longicornis tick. The concentrations of lemongrass essential oil used for the treatment via the adult immersion test were from 10 to 40 mg/mL. The most significant alterations 24 h post-exposure include the proliferation of lysosomes, reduction in the number of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, disorganization of the microvilli, the disappearance of lipid droplets and hematin granules, and cytoplasmic vacuolization (midgut); a thinner endocuticle and epicuticle, the deletion of the subdivision’s demarcation of the procuticle, disfiguration of the lamellar arrangements of the exocuticle, and cytoplasmic vacuolization of the epithelial cells (integument); cracks on the sensilla sockets, the detachment of one or two sensilla in the anterior pit, and partial disfiguration of part of the slit’s edge (Haller’s organ). These results reflect the acaricidal properties of the essential oil and could be an alternative means of tick control.

SV40 Polyomavirus Activates the Ras-MAPK Signaling Pathway for Vacuolization, Cell Death, and Virus Release

Polyomaviruses are a family of small, non-enveloped DNA viruses that can cause severe disease in immunosuppressed individuals. Studies with SV40, a well-studied model polyomavirus, have revealed the role of host proteins in polyomavirus entry and trafficking to the nucleus, in viral transcription and DNA replication, and in cell transformation. In contrast, little is known about host factors or cellular signaling pathways involved in the late steps of productive infection leading to release of progeny polyomaviruses. We previously showed that cytoplasmic vacuolization, a characteristic late cytopathic effect of SV40 infection, depends on the specific interaction between the major viral capsid protein VP1 and its cell surface ganglioside receptor GM1. Here, we show that, late during infection, SV40 activates a signaling cascade in permissive monkey CV-1 cells involving Ras, Rac1, MKK4, and JNK to stimulate SV40-specific cytoplasmic vacuolization and subsequent cell lysis and virus release. Inhibition of individual components of this signaling pathway inhibits vacuolization, lysis, and virus release, even though high-level intracellular virus replication occurs. Identification of this pathway for SV40-induced vacuolization and virus release provides new insights into the late steps of non-enveloped virus infection.