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Biomedical subjects

A Summerfield

Publications and source records attributed to A Summerfield.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Interspecies major histocompatibility complex-restricted Th cell epitope on foot-and-mouth disease virus capsid protein VP4.

T-cell epitopes within viral polypeptide VP4 of the capsid protein of foot-and-mouth disease virus were analyzed using 15-mer peptides and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from vaccinated outbred pigs. An immunodominant region between VP4 residues 16 and 35 was identified, with peptide residues 20 to 34 (VP4-0) and 21 to 35 (VP4-5) particularly immunostimulatory for PBMC from all of the vaccinated pigs. CD25 upregulation on peptide-stimulated CD4(+) CD8(+) cells-dominated by Th memory cells in the pig-and inhibition using anti-major histocompatibility complex class II monoclonal antibodies indicated recognition by Th lymphocytes. VP4-0 immunogenicity was retained in a tandem peptide with the VP1 residue 137 to 156 sequential B-cell epitope. This B-cell site also retained immunogenicity, but evidence is presented that specific antibody induction in vitro required both this and the T-cell site. Heterotypic recognition of the residue 20 to 35 region was also noted. Consequently, the VP4 residue 20 to 35 region is a promiscuous, immunodominant and heterotypic T-cell antigenic site for pigs that is capable of providing help for a B-cell epitope when in tandem, thus extending the possible immunogenic repertoire of peptide vaccines.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Oligodendroglial degeneration in distemper: apoptosis or necrosis?

Canine distemper virus (CDV) causes a multifocal demyelinating disease in dogs. It was previously shown that the initial demyelinating lesions are directly virus induced since a correlation between the occurrence of demyelination and CDV replication in white matter cells was observed. During the course of infection oligodendrocytes undergo distinct morphological alterations, partly due to a restricted CDV infection of these cells, and eventually disappear from the lesions. This phenomenon has been described in vivo as well as in vitro. However, the reason for the morphological alterations and the following oligodendroglial depletion remained unclear. Since virus infection can induce cell death, it was investigated whether apoptosis or necrosis plays a role in the pathogenesis of demyelination in canine distemper. In brain tissue sections from dogs with acute distemper apoptotic cells were not detected within the demyelinating lesions using morphological and biochemical cell death criteria. In chronic distemper, apoptotic cells - presumably inflammatory cells - were seen within the perivascular cuffs. These in vivo findings were correlated to the in vitro situation using CDV-infected primary dog brain cell cultures as well as Vero cells. Infection with culture-adapted CDV lead to massive necrosis but not to apoptosis. After infection with virulent CDV neither apoptosis nor necrosis was a predominant feature in either culture system. These findings suggest that virus-induced demyelination in canine distemper is not the direct consequence of apoptosis or necrosis. It is speculated that another mechanism must be responsible for the observed morphological alterations of oligodendrocytes, ultimately leading to demyelination.

Animals↗

Immunopathogenesis of classical swine fever: role of monocytic cells.

Virulent classical swine fever (CSF) represents an immunomodulatory viral infection that perturbs immune functions. Circulatory and immunopathological disorders include leukopenia, immunosuppression and haemorrhage. Monocytic cells - targets for CSF virus (CSFV) infection - could play critical roles in the immunopathology, owing to their production of immunomodulatory and vasoactive factors. Monocytes and macrophages (Mphi) are susceptible to virus infection, as a consequence of which prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production is enhanced. The presence of PGE2 in serum from CSFV-infected pigs correlated with elevated PGE2 productivity by the peripheral blood mononuclear cells from these same animals. It was noted that these PGE2-containing preparations did not inhibit, but actually enhanced, lymphocyte proliferation. The proinflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin (IL)-6 were not involved, although elevated IL-1 production could relate to lymphocyte activation. Nevertheless, IL-1 was not the sole element: infected Mphi produced lympho-stimulatory activity but little IL-1. This release of immunomodulatory factors, following CSFV infection of monocytic cells, was compared with other characteristics of the disease. Therein, PGE2 and IL-1 production was noted to coincide with the onset of fever and the coagulation disorders typical of CSF. Consequently, these factors are of greater relevance to the haemorrhagic disturbances, such as petechia and infarction, rather than the leukopenia found in CSF.

Animals↗

Intermediate stages in monocyte-macrophage differentiation modulate phenotype and susceptibility to virus infection.

The kinetics of monocyte-macrophage differentiation was analysed using two Swine Workshop Cluster (SWC) CD molecules: SWC1 and SWC9. Myeloid cells were selected by labelling for the common myeloid antigen, SWC3. Confirmation of macrophage identification used acid phosphatase and phagocytosis activities. During differentiation, SWC1 was gradually lost. SWC9 was absent on monocytes but up-regulated early. Consequently, monocytes were SWC1+ SWC9- and macrophages were SWC1- SWC9+. An additional, intermediate, cell population was identified as SWC1+ SWC9+. Size and granularity characteristics mirrored the monocyte, macrophage and intermediate-cell phenotypes. Overall, SWC9 up-regulation was central in macrophage differentiation and dependent on plasma factors. The concomitant loss of SWC1 was independent of these factors, but always associated with mature macrophages. Upon up-regulation of SWC9, the SWC1+ SWC9+ intermediate monocytic cells became susceptible to African swine fever virus infection. These results demonstrate the heterogeneity of monocytic cell differentiation and the importance of these characteristics for interaction with monocytotropic viruses.

African Swine Fever↗

Low density blood granulocytic cells induced during classical swine fever are targets for virus infection.

Classical swine fever virus infection of pigs causes a severe leukopenia and immunosuppression. In the present study, the kinetics of virus infection, and identification of target cells for the virus in peripheral blood were analysed. Virus infection was often not detectable before 5-7 days p.i. A minority of animals yielded detectable infected cells at 3 days p.i., but < 5% PBMC. It was not until 10 days p.i. that this figure increased-to 35-70% PBMC depending on the animal. Detailed analysis of Ficoll-Hypaque-purified PBMC identified the major population to be SWC3+SWC8+CD14+MHCII- granulocytic cells. Microscopic observations determined that these low density granulocytic cells in the PBMC from CSFV infected animals were indeed immature cells. Both the low density granulocytic cells and monocytes were major targets for CSFV infection in the peripheral blood. This is the first demonstration that low density granulocytic cells dominate the blood leukocyte population during CSF, and that such cells are targets for virus infection. The present work also demonstrates that the leukocyte population changes, such as B lymphocyte depletion and the relative dominance of myeloid cells in the blood during CSF, occur before virus infection of the affected cells. Thus, the pathological mechanism therein is not a direct consequence of virus infection.

Animals↗

Summary of the first round analyses of the Second International Swine CD Workshop.

The reactivity of 176 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) submitted to the Second International Swine CD Workshop, together with 19 internal standards, was analyzed by flow cytometry on 16 different cell types as a means of establishing the proper cell subset for later detailed clustering analyses. The exact CD subset reactivity of the 19 internal standard mAb had been characterized in the First International Swine CD Workshop. The flow cytometric analyses resulted in 40 data sets which were then subjected to statistical clustering using the Leukocyte Typing Database IV (LTDB4) software. As result of this work, 22 clusters were defined. After review of these results, panels of mAb from the defined first round clusters were assigned to cell subsets. The respective mAb in those first round clusters were then distributed to subset group researchers for further examination during the second round of the workshop.

Animals↗

Porcine myelomonocytic markers: summary of the Second International Swine CD Workshop.

Forty five mAbs submitted to the Second International Swine CD workshop were analyzed by six different laboratories for their possible reactivity with porcine myelomonocytic cells using flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. As a result of these analyses, a new swine workshop cluster, SWC9, composed of two mAbs that recognize an antigen selectively expressed on mature macrophages, was defined. In addition, several mAbs were identified, allowing the differentiation of granulocytes from monocytes/macrophages, or monocytes from macrophages. Further work is required to identify the antigen recognized by these mAbs. Nevertheless, they should already prove useful for the identification of different stages in the macrophage maturation/differentiation, and will certainly aid analyses on the complexity of the mononuclear phagocyte system in the pig. Finally, the cross-reactivity of three anti-human CD14 mAbs with porcine myelomonocytic cells was established in this workshop.

Animals↗

Workshop studies with monoclonal antibodies identifying a novel porcine differentiation antigen, SWC9.

Two monoclonal antibodies (mAb) within cluster M4 of the myeloid section of the Second International Swine CD Workshop, C4 (No. 144) and PM18-7 (No. 192), showed reactivity with thymocytes and among cells of myelomonocytic origin with mature macrophages but not with monocytes and granulocytes. Both mAb recognize a protein showing two bands of 205 kDa and 130 kDa under both reducing and non-reducing conditions. Although epitope mapping with these mAb could not be performed, this cluster received the SWC9 designation.

Animals↗

Differential adhesion molecule expression on porcine mononuclear cell populations.

Adhesion molecule expression was analysed on porcine blood and lymphoid organ CD4+ CD8 naive T helper (Th) lymphocytes, CD4+CD8+ memory Th lymphocytes (particular to the pig), CD4-CD8high cytotoxic T (Tc) lymphocytes, CD4 CD8low NK cells (CD3- in the pig), CD4-CD8- T-cell receptor-gammadelta-positive (TCRgammadelta+) lymphocytes, B lymphocytes and monocytes. While CD44 expression was relatively homogeneous amongst mononuclear cells, differences were noted for the integrins. Blood naive Th lymphocytes were CD49d(low)CD11a(low), as were splenic naive Th cells; blood memory Th lymphocytes were CD49d(high)CD11a(low), splenic memory Th cells were CD49d(high)CD11a(high) with a CD49d(high)CD11a(low) subpopulation; blood Tc lymphocytes were mainly CD49d(low)CD11a(low), and splenic cells were CD49d(high) CD11a(high). Lymph node lymphocytes were more homogeneous in their integrin expression. These were relatively CD49d(low)CD11a(low), except the memory Th lymphocytes which had higher integrin expression. B lymphocytes related to the majority of integrin(low) T cells, while monocytes and NK cells were CD49d(high) CD11a(high); gammadelta T lymphocytes showed variable CD49d expression but a CD11a(high) phenotype. CD49d(high) CD11a(high) co-expression was found, and this phenotype was typical of, but not exclusive to, CD25+ (activated) lymphocytes. These results demonstrated that porcine memory Th lymphocytes and NK cells, as well as activated cells, would have increased integrin-dependent activities compared with naive Th lymphocytes, and integrin-dependent reactions would probably vary between blood and lymphoid organ cells.

Animals↗

Lymphocyte apoptosis during classical swine fever: implication of activation-induced cell death.

Infection of pigs with classical swine fever virus (CSFV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, causes a severe leukopenia, particularly notable with the lymphocytes. The goal of this study was to analyze mechanisms behind this CSFV-induced lymphopenia. To this end, the kinetics of leukocyte depletion, the appearance of apoptotic cells, and virus infection of leukocytes after infection of pigs with the virulent CSFV strain Brescia were analyzed. Depletion of B and T lymphocytes was noted as early as 1 day postinfection (p.i.). Circulating viable lymphocytes with reduced mitochondrial transmembrane potential--a particular early marker for apoptosis--were also detectable as early as 1 day p.i. When isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured for 6 h, significantly more sub-G1 cells with reduced DNA content were detected among the lymphocytes from CSFV-infected animals, again as early as 1 to 3 days p.i. The first time virus was first found in the plasma, as well as infection of leukocytes, was 3 days p.i. However, throughout the observation time of 1 week, <3% of the circulating leukocytes and no lymphocytes contained virus or viral antigen. Further analysis of the T lymphocytes from infected animals demonstrated an increase in CD49d, major histocompatibility complex class II, and Fas expression. An increased susceptibility to apoptosis in vitro was also observed, particularly after addition of concanavalin A as well as apoptosis-inducing anti-Fas antibody to the cultures. Taken together, these results imply that activation-induced programmed cell death was the mechanism behind lymphopenia during classical swine fever.

Animals↗

Vaccine-induced, pseudorabies virus-specific, extrathymic CD4+CD8+ memory T-helper cells in swine.

Pseudorabies virus (PRV; suid herpesvirus 1) infection causes heavy economic losses in the pig industry. Therefore, vaccination with live attenuated viruses is practiced in many countries. This vaccination was demonstrated to induce extrathymic virus-specific memory CD4+CD8+ T lymphocytes. Due to their major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-restricted proliferation, it is generally believed that these T lymphocytes function as memory T-helper cells. To directly prove this hypothesis, 15-amino-acid, overlapping peptides of the viral glycoprotein gC were used for screening in proliferation assays with peripheral blood mononuclear cells of vaccinated d/d haplotype inbred pigs. In these experiments, two naturally processed T-cell epitopes (T1 and T2) which are MHC class II restricted were identified. It was shown that extrathymic CD4+CD8+ T cells are the T-lymphocyte subpopulation that responds to epitope T2. In addition, we were able to show that cytokine secretion can be induced in these T cells through recall with inactivated PRV and demonstrated that activated PRV-primed CD4+CD8+ T cells are able to induce PRV-specific immunoglobulin synthesis by PRV-primed, resting B cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the glycoprotein gC takes part in the priming of humoral anti-PRV memory responses. The experiments identified the first T-cell epitopes so far known to induce the generation of virus-specific CD4+CD8+ memory T lymphocytes and showed that CD4+CD8+ T cells are memory T-helper cells. Therefore, this study describes the generation of virus-specific CD4+CD8+ T cells, which is observed during vaccination, as a part of the potent humoral anti-PRV memory response induced by the vaccine.

Animals↗

Phenotype of porcine monocytic cells: modulation of surface molecule expression upon monocyte differentiation into macrophages.

When porcine blood monocytes differentiate in vitro into macrophages, their morphology, as well as side scatter and forward scatter measured by flow cytometry, changed in a manner similar to that with human cells. During this differentiation, the initial high expression of CD molecules on porcine monocytes was down-regulated, with one exception--SWC9. Freshly isolated blood monocytes were SWC9-, but after culture the cells had become SWC9+. Thus, porcine monocytes were characterised as SWC3+SWC9-CD14high; macrophages were SWC3+SWC9+CD14low, the latter also displaying a down-regulation of CD11a/18, and, to a lesser degree, CD44. Both SWC9-CD14high monocytes and SWC9+CD14low macrophages were identifiable in freshly prepared monocytic cells from the spleen. Alveolar macrophages, on the other hand, were dominated by SWC9+CD14low cells, similar in phenotype to in vitro monocyte-derived macrophages. The consequences which these results have for studies on virus infections of porcine monocytic cells are discussed.

Animals↗

Porcine bone marrow myeloid cells: phenotype and adhesion molecule expression.

The purpose of this study was the discrimination of porcine bone marrow hematopoietic cell (BMHC) subpopulations and cell maturation stages by using cluster of differentiation (CD) and Swine Workshop Cluster (SWC) molecules, combined with cell size, granularity, and the capacity to generate an oxidative burst. SWC3 was the earliest myeloid marker identified in the differentiation pathways. Through SWC3/SWC8 double labeling, three populations committed to the myeloid lineage were discriminated: early myeloid progenitors, which were SWC3lowSWC8-; cells committed to the granulocytic lineage, which were SWC3+SWC8+; monocytic cells, which were SWC3+(-)SWC8-. The SWC3lowSWC8- myeloid progenitors expressed high levels of CD44 and CD49d, but no CD14. Among the SWC3+SWC8+ granulocytic cells, the most immature were CD14-CD11a/18-CD44low, an intermediate stage was CD14+CD11a/18lowCD44-, and the most mature were CD14+CD11a/18high-CD44high. Only the latter could generate a rapid oxidative burst. Moreover, during granulocytic maturation, a constant decrease in CD49d/29 expression was observed. In contrast, the SWC3+SWC8- monocytic cells were mainly CD14+ and expressed high levels of the adhesion molecules. These results define porcine hematopoietic differentiation and maturation stages. Similarities in human and porcine adhesion molecule expression have been identified, suggesting common functionalities in the regulation of hematopoiesis and the potential of the pig as a model for hematopoietic studies.

Animals↗

Antiviral activity of an extract from leaves of the tropical plant Acanthospermum hispidum.

Incubation of the alphaherpesviruses pseudorabiesvirus (PRV) and bovine herpesvirus 1 during infection of cell cultures with an extract prepared from the leaves of Acanthospermum hispidum impaired productive replication of these viruses in a concentration-dependent manner whereas propagation of classical swine fever virus, foot-and-mouth disease virus and vaccinia virus was not affected. The 50% inhibitory concentration for cell growth (IC50) was 107 +/- 5 microliters/ml, and the concentration reducing PRV yield by 1 log10 (90% effective concentration, EC90) was 8 +/- 3 microliters/ml. The selectivity index calculated as the IC50/EC90 ration was 13 +/- 4. Delineation of the mechanism of the antiviral activity demonstrated inhibition of alphaherpesvirus attachment to and, to a lesser extent, penetration into the cells. In contrast, viral gene expression was not inhibited by the extract when added after entry of virions into the target cells. Reduced antiviral activity of A.h. against PRV deletion mutants lacking glycoprotein C (gC) or glycoproteins gC, gE, gG and gI altogether indicated that gC alone and/or viral attachment complexes of which gC is a component constitute the target structures for A. hispidum.

Animals↗

Functional characterization of porcine CD4+CD8+ extrathymic T lymphocytes.

The porcine immune system is unique in that the expression of CD4 and CD8 antigens defines four subpopulations of resting, extrathymic (CD1-) T lymphocytes. In addition to CD4-CD8+ and CD4+CD8- T lymphocytes, CD4-CD8- and CD4+CD8+ lymphocyte subpopulations are prominent in blood as well as in lymphoid tissues. In the present study, a functional comparison was made between CD4+CD8- and CD4+CD8+ T lymphocyte subpopulations. In a primary in vitro immune response against alloantigenic stimulator cells, both subpopulations proliferated without significant differences in their reactivity. Different results were obtained when analyzing the antigen-specific functions of the two CD4+ subpopulations in a secondary response against recall viral antigen; these experiments were performed with T lymphocytes from pseudorabies virus-immunized pigs. The proliferative response against viral antigens could be assigned to the CD4+CD8+ subpopulation, whereas the CD4+CD8- subpopulation remained nonreactive. Further analyses of the virus-specific in vitro immune response revealed a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II restricted helper T lymphocyte reaction involving CD4 but not CD8 molecules as restriction elements. Taken together, these results demonstrate that only the extrathymic CD4+CD8+ T lymphocyte subpopulation of swine contains MHC class II-restricted antigen-specific memory T helper cells.

Animals↗

Differentiation between MHC-restricted and non-MHC-restricted porcine cytolytic T lymphocytes.

The immune system of swine is unique in that the expression of CD4 and CD8 antigens defines four subpopulations of resting extrathymic T lymphocytes. Beyond phenotypic differences to other species, porcine T lymphocytes, particularly when derived from infected animals, are known to show high non-specific cytolytic in vitro activity. Here we describe the putative porcine CD6 antigen (workshop CD6; wCD6) which enables a phenotypic separation of T lymphocytes responsible for major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted and non-MHC-restricted cytotoxicity. The putative porcine CD6 analogue, wCD6, a protein with a molecular mass of 110,000, shows high specificity for T lymphocytes and is neither expressed on B lymphocytes nor on cells of the myeloid lineage. In the extrathymic T-lymphocyte compartment wCD6 characterizes two T-lymphocyte fractions: wCD6+ T lymphocytes including both CD4+ T-helper cell subpopulations (CD4+CD8- and CD4+CD8+) and within the CD4-CD8+ fraction cells with high CD8 antigen density. In contrast the CD4-CD8- gamma/delta T-cell receptor (TCR) subset and CD4-CD8+ cells with low CD8 antigen density are included in the wCD6- T-lymphocyte fraction. Functional studies with separated wCD6 fractions revealed that the wCD6- cells can be characterized by spontaneous and non-MHC restricted cytolytic activity, whereas the wCD6+ T lymphocytes are responsible for MHC-restricted T-cell functions. Thus, the porcine wCD6 is an important antigen to discriminate between MHC-restricted and non-MHC-restricted cytotoxicity.

Animals↗

Charged beads: generation of bone and giant cells.

Based on reports of electrically induced bone formation and findings that some materials used to promote bone ingrowth are stimulatory in bead form, the osteogenic potential of beads with different surface charges was examined. In this preliminary study, three types of Sephadex beads were injected into chick femora: type I, DEAE beads, positively charged; type II, CM beads, negatively charged; type III, G-25, uncharged. Beads were injected into the femoral midshaft, and after 3 days, 4 days, and 1 week, birds were sacrificed and femora were processed for histology. Type I beads: at 3 days, were surrounded by multinucleated giant cells; by 4 days, patches of bead-associated new bone were present along with giant cells; after 1 week, occasional bead-associated multinucleated cells were seen, but now most beads were surrounded by new intramedullary bone, forming an extensive bead-bone lattice. With bead types II and III, bead-associated new bone was seen at 3 days and 4 days only when beads lodged near the endosteum or in the metaphysis. At 7 days, no bone was seen with either of these two bead types. The response to the type I beads may be likened to a remodeling phenomenon with large numbers of giant cells at 3 days, new bone and giant cells at 4 days, and evidence only of bone formation at 7 days.

Animals↗