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Cloning determinants of pathogenesis from Pseudomonas syringae pathovar syringae.

Transposon mutagenesis and a cosmid genomic library of DNA from the bean pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pathovar syringae were used to identify and isolate sequences essential for pathogenesis. Strain PS9021, derived by Tn5 mutagenesis, was determined to be nonpathogenic on Phaseolus vulgaris cultivar Red Mexican and incapable of inducing a hypersensitive response in Nicotiana tabacum. This mutant also produced fluidal rather than firm colonies on selected agar media. A Tn5-containing EcoRI fragment from PS9021 was cloned and used to probe 1500 members of a genomic library constructed with DNA from the pathogenic parent strain and the wide host range cosmid pVK102. One member that hybridized to the probe contained a cosmid with a 30-kilobase-pair insert (pOSU3101) that complemented the mutant phenotypes when mobilized into PS9021. A restriction endonuclease cleavage site map of pOSU3101 was constructed and sequences essential for pathogenesis were determined by subcloning. Approximately 8.5 kilobase pairs of the insert were essential for restoration by complementation of pathogenesis and hypersensitive response and wild-type colony morphology in strain PS9021.

Journal Article↗

Tumor necrosis factor alpha is a determinant of pathogenesis and disease progression in mycobacterial infection in the central nervous system.

The pathogenesis of tuberculous meningitis, a devastating complication of tuberculosis in man, is poorly understood. We previously reported that rabbits with experimental tuberculous meningitis were protected from death by a combination of antibiotics and thalidomide therapy. Survival was associated with inhibition of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) production by thalidomide. To test whether cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of TNF-alpha correlated with pathogenesis, the response of rabbits infected in the central nervous system (CNS) with various mycobacterial strains was studied. CNS infection with Mycobacterium bovis Ravenel, M. bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Pasteur, and M. bovis BCG Montreal were compared. M. bovis Ravenel induced the highest levels of TNF-alpha in the CSF in association with high leukocytosis, protein accumulation, and severe meningeal inflammation. BCG Pasteur had intermediate effects, and BCG Montreal was the least virulent. In addition, M. bovis Ravenel numbers were highest in the brain and CSF and the bacilli also disseminated more efficiently to distant organs, compared with BCG Pasteur and BCG Montreal. In subsequent experiments, rabbits were infected with either recombinant M. bovis BCG Montreal (vector), or BCG Montreal expressing the murine gene for TNF-alpha (BCG mTNF-alpha). BCG Montreal was rendered virulent by the expression of murine TNF-alpha, as demonstrated by high CSF leukocytosis, high protein accumulation, severe meningeal inflammation, persistent bacillary load, and progressive clinical deterioration. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the level of TNF-alpha produced during mycobacterial CNS infection determines, at least in part, the extent of pathogenesis.

Animals↗

Design of chimeric receptor mimics with different TcRVbeta isoforms. Type-specific inhibition of superantigen pathogenesis.

The Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxins (S.E.) A-I, and toxic-shock syndrome toxin TSST-1 act as superantigens to cause overstimulation of the host immune system, leading to the onset of various diseases including food poisoning and toxic shock syndrome. SAgs bind as intact proteins to the DRalpha1 domain of the MHC class II receptor and the TcRVbeta domain from the T cell receptor and cause excessive release of cytokines such as IL-2, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma, and hyperproliferation of T cells. In addition, different SAgs bind and activate different TcRVbeta isoforms during pathogenesis of human immune cells. These two properties of SAgs prompted us to design several chimeric DRalpha1-linker-TcRVbeta proteins using different TcRVbeta isoforms to create chimeras that would specifically inhibit the pathogenesis of SAgs against which they were designed. In this study, we compare the design, interaction, and inhibitory properties of three different DRalpha1-linker-TcRVbeta chimeras targeted against three different SAgs, SEB, SEC3, and TSST-1. The inhibitory properties of the chimeras were tested by monitoring IL-2 release and T cell proliferation using a primary human cell model. We demonstrate that the three chimeras specifically inhibit the pathogenesis of their target superantigen. We performed molecular modeling to analyze the structural basis of the type specificity exhibited by different chimeras designed against their target SAgs, examine the role of the linker in determining binding and specificity, and suggest site-specific mutations in the chimera to enhance binding affinity. The fact that our strategy works equally well for SEB and TSST-1, two widely different phylogenic variants, suggests that the DRalpha1-linker-TcRVbeta chimeras may be developed as a general therapy against a broad spectrum of superantigens released during Staphylococcal infection.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Pathogenesis and pathology of blackleg in ruminants: the role of toxins and neuraminidase. A short review.

There is no consensus on the pathogenesis of blackleg infection that occurs in ruminants, but toxins and neuraminidase produced by Clostridium chauvoei are believed to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of the disease. This paper provides an update on the role of toxins and neuraminidase in the pathogenesis and pathology of the disease. The use of neuraminidase inhibitors to manage clinical blackleg infections is therefore an alternative therapeutic protocol that should be thoroughly investigated. It is suggested that in vivo clinical trials should be carried out to determine the mechanism of action and clinical efficacy of neuraminidase inhibitors.

Animals↗

Pathogenesis of cardiovascular complications in children following scorpion envenoming.

Scorpion envenoming is known to produce serious complications in children, and the complications differ with different species seen in the world. Peripheral failure, hypotension, myocarditis and seizures are the serious complications related to scorpion envenoming. The pathogenesis of cardiovascular complications caused by the Buthotus (Buthus) tamulus species is likely to be related to the direct effect of the venom on the myocardium rather than to catecholamine-induced hypoxia, as reported earlier. A scorpion sting is a common event both in urban and rural areas and the complications are more severe in children than in adults. Though several species have been identified throughout the world, stings by the Buthotus tamulus species are most commonly seen in southern states of India. Many complications have been reported related to the venom of different species of scorpion but the pathogenesis of cardiovascular complications seems to differ with different species. Most of the published reports suggest that hypotension and myocarditis were frequently observed following scorpion stings, whereas, in our children, peripheral failure and hypotension are the complications observed initially. Myocarditis and other serious complications are observed only during follow-up. The complications and lethal effects of scorpion venom seen in our earlier study indicated that in children cardiovascular complications were seen more frequently than neurological or haematological complications. The aim of the present study is to identify the frequency and nature of the cardiovascular complications and the pathogenesis of myocarditis following scorpion envenoming.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗

Possible involvement of aromatase overexpression induced by cyclo-oxygenase-2 in the pathogenesis of idiopathic gynecomastia.

The pathogenesis of idiopathic gynecomastia, which shows no imbalance in serum estrogens and androgens levels unlike gynecomastia of other causes, is unknown. It seems to be of interest to study the in situ aromatase expression in idiopathic gynecomastia to investigate a possible involvement of intratumoral biosynthesis of estrogens in the pathogenesis of this disease. The expression level of aromatase mRNA was studied by a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay in four idiopathic gynecomastia cases (two florid type and two fibrous type). In addition, the proportion of promoter usage (promoters I.3 I.4, l. 7, and PII) of the aromatase gene was determined by PCR-gel electrophoresis. Localization of aromatase and cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression was studied by immunohistochemistry. The aromatase mRNA level of the florid type gynecomastia (3.05 and 1.66) was higher than that in the fibrous type (0.76 and 0.04). The proportion of promoter Pll in the florid type (94.1% and 84.8%) was very high as compared with that of the fibrous type (0.7% and 0.5%). Immunohistochemical studies have revealed that aromatase and COX-2 were strongly expressed in the duct epithelial cells in the florid type, but they were weak or negative in the fibrous type. COX-2 is suggested to upregulate aromatase expression by enhancing the transcription via promoter Pll in idiopathic gynecomastia of the florid type but not of the fibrous type. Because idiopathic gynecomastia initially develops as the florid type and regresses as the fibrous type, a high estrogen milieu induced by increased aromatase expression is speculated to play some role in the pathogenesis of idiopathic gynecomastia.

Adolescent↗

Type I interferon modulation of cellular responses to cytokines and infectious pathogens: potential role in SLE pathogenesis.

Type I interferons (IFNs) are pleiotropic cytokines that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A key aspect of type I IFN biology is that previous exposure to type I IFNs alters subsequent cellular responses to extracellular stimuli. Type I IFNs may either prime cells for stronger responses to viruses, bacterial pathogens and cytokines such as IL-6 and IFN-gamma, or may suppress cellular responses to LPS and TNFalpha. Herein, we review type I IFN signal transduction via the Jak-STAT pathway, and mechanisms by which type I IFNs prime or suppress responses to environmental factors. We develop a hypothesis that type I IFN-dependent priming/enhancement of cellular responses to pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IFNgamma and IL-6 contributes to pathogenesis of SLE. In addition, cross-regulation between type I IFNs and TNFalpha and its potential role in SLE pathogenesis is discussed.

Cytokines↗

Pathogenesis of endometriosis--current research.

Proliferative, secretory and menstrual endometrial cells of both the stroma and epithelium adhere to intact peritoneal mesothelium and mesothelial monolayers. Endometrial attachment to the mesothelium appears to occur rapidly (within 1 h) and transmesothelial invasion occurs between 1 and 18-24 h. These results demonstrate that the mesothelium is not a 'no-stick' surface and indicates that molecules present at the surface of the mesothelium are involved in the pathogenesis of the early endometriotic lesion. The inhibition of endometrial cell adherence to peritoneal mesothelium by hyaluronidase indicates that CD44-hyaluronan binding is at least one of the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. We believe that investigation of mesothelial cell adhesion molecules is central to understanding the pathogenesis of endometriosis.

Cell Adhesion↗

Are reactive oxygen species involved in the pathogenesis of murine cerebral malaria?

To investigate the involvement of oxidative tissue damage in the pathogenesis of murine cerebral malaria (CM), brain levels of protein carbonyls, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), o-tyrosine, and dityrosine were measured during Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA) and P. berghei K173 (PbK) infections. During PbA infection in a CM model, brain levels of the substances were similar to those in uninfected mice. The role of phagocyte-derived reactive oxygen species in the pathogenesis of CM was examined in gp91phox gene knockout mice. The course of CM in these mice was the same as in their wild type counterparts. To examine whether superoxide production in the central nervous system could have occurred via increased xanthine oxidase activity, brain concentrations of urate were measured in CM mice and in mice infected with PbK (which does not cause CM). Brain urate concentration increased significantly in both groups of mice, suggesting that purine breakdown is not specific to CM. These results indicate that reactive oxygen species probably do not contribute to the pathogenesis of murine CM.

Animals↗

Pathogenesis of cerebral Cryptococcus neoformans infection after fungemia.

The pathogenesis of cerebral infection after Cryptococcus neoformans fungemia in outbred mice was investigated. Confocal microscopy and cultures on ficoll-hypaque gradient-separated blood cells were used to detect yeasts in the cytoplasms of monocytes. In semithin brain sections, poorly capsulated yeasts were seen in macrophages in the leptomeningeal space, in monocytes circulating in leptomeningeal capillaries, or in the endothelial cells themselves, strengthening the hypothesis that monocytes and endothelial cells play key roles in the pathogenesis of cryptococcal meningitis. Similar fungal loads and cellular reactions were seen in mice and in 1 patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), all with acute cryptococcal meningoencephalitis, and in mice and in 1 patient with AIDS, all with cured cryptococcal infection. Immunostaining revealed both the presence of cryptococcal polysaccharide in various brain cells and antigenic variability both from yeast cell to yeast cell and over time. Thus, our data established the relevance and interest that this experimental model has for investigation of the pathogenesis of human cryptococcal meningitis.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Expression of Epstein-Barr virus latent genes in oral epithelium: determinants of the pathogenesis of oral hairy leukoplakia.

This retrospective study examined expression of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent genes in oral epithelium from human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive subjects, to identify genes associated with the pathogenesis of oral hairy leukoplakia (HLP). Transcription of EBV latent genes was detected in tissues with productive EBV replication and, also, in normal oral epithelial tissues without EBV replication. Expression of the EBV EBNA-2 open-reading frame in oral epithelium was identified as an important cofactor associated with the pathogenesis of HLP. In vitro experiments suggested that a recombinant variant of the EBNA-2 gene may play a role in the pathogenesis of HLP, through modulation of EBNA-2 protein function.

Acyclovir↗

Studies of the role for NSP4 in the pathogenesis of homologous murine rotavirus diarrhea.

A rotavirus (RV) nonstructural protein, NSP4, has recently been proposed to function as an enterotoxin in the pathogenesis of RV diarrhea. The role of NSP4 in the pathogenesis of RV diarrhea was examined by infecting cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) knockout mice with virulent murine RV and by comparing deduced amino acid sequences of RV gene 10 encoding NSP4 from three distinct sets of virulent and tissue culture-adapted avirulent variant RVs. Homozygous CFTR (CFTR-/-) mice, which do not respond to any known intestinal secretagogues, experienced diarrhea comparable to that in normal CFTR+/+ littermates after RV challenge. Comparison of amino acid sequences of NSP4 from virulent and attenuated pairs of RVs failed to show consistent or significant changes. Together, these data suggest that enterotoxigenic properties of RV NSP4 are not critical in the pathogenesis of murine RV diarrhea and that attenuation of murine RVs is not usually mediated by mutations in the gene encoding NSP4.

Animals↗

Pathogenesis of respiratory syncytial virus infection.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is recognized as the most important cause of serious lower respiratory tract illness in infants and young children worldwide causing repeat infections throughout life with serious complications occurring in the elderly and immune compromised patient. The level of disease pathogenesis associated with RSV infection is balanced between virus elimination and the nature of the immune response to infection. The innate and adaptive immune responses to RSV infection are not fully elucidated; however, significant progress has been made in understanding the virus-host relationship and mechanisms associated with disease pathogenesis. This review summarizes important aspects of these findings, and provides current perspective on processes that may contribute to RSV disease pathogenesis.

Humans↗

Interleukin-1 or tumor necrosis factor-alpha augmented the cytotoxic effect of mycobacteria on human fibroblasts: application to evaluation of pathogenesis of clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M. avium complex.

Mycobacteria-induced in vitro events reflecting human tuberculosis can contribute to the evaluation of the pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). In this study, we propose such an in vitro method based on live mycobacteria-induced cytotoxicity to human cell lines. When human lung-derived normal fibroblast cell line MRC-5 was infected with various strains of mycobacteria (M. tuberculosis H(37)Rv and H(37) Ra, Mycobacterium avium 427S and 2151SmO, and Mycobacterium bovis BCG Pasteur and Tokyo), the fibroblasts were killed by mycobacteria according to the degree of virulence. Other human originated macrophage (U-937, THP-1), myeloid (HL-60), and epithelial carcinoma (A549) cell lines exhibited a similar cytotoxic response to virulent mycobacteria. MRC-5 was most susceptible to virulent mycobacteria among various human cell lines examined. The cytotoxicity was enhanced by the proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-alpha), which in the absence of mycobacteria stimulate the growth of normal human fibroblasts. This in vitro evaluation system was applied to clinical isolates of drug-sensitive MTB (DS-MTB), drug-resistant MTB (DR-MTB) including multidrug-resistant (MDR-MTB), and M. avium complex (MAC). MTB strains (n = 24) exhibited strong cytotoxic activity, but MAC strains (n = 5) had only weak activity. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in cytotoxicity between DS-MTB (n = 11) and DR-MTB (n = 13). Collectively, these results suggest that this new in vitro system is useful for evaluating the pathogenesis of mycobacteria and that there was no difference in the pathogenesis between drug-susceptible and drug-resistant clinical isolates.

Cell Death↗

Autoimmune pathogenesis in dengue virus infection.

The pathogenic mechanisms of dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome (DHF/DSS) caused by dengue virus (DV) infection remain unresolved. Patients with DHF/DSS are characterized by several manifestations, including severe thrombocytopenia, vascular leakage, and hepatomegaly. In addition to the effect of virus load and virus variation, abnormal immune responses of the host after DV infection may also account for the progression of DHF/DSS. Actually, viral autoimmunity is involved in the pathogenesis of numerous viral infections, such as human immunodeficiency virus, human hepatitis C virus, human cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, Epstein- Barr virus, and DV. In this review, we discuss the implications of autoimmunity in dengue pathogenesis. Antibodies directed against DV nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) showed cross-reactivity with human platelets and endothelial cells, which lead to platelet and endothelial cell damage and inflammatory activation. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that anti-DV NS1 is involved in the pathogenesis of DF and DHF/DSS, and this may provide important information in dengue vaccine development.

Antibodies, Viral↗

What animal models can teach us about the pathogenesis of tuberculosis in humans.

Technology that permits the reproducible infection of laboratory animals with virulent tubercle bacilli under conditions that simulate those under which humans are infected is now available. This technology has been used to investigate a series of fundamental questions about the pathogenesis of tuberculosis. An integrated view of the pathogenesis of tuberculosis has been constructed that combines studies from animal models and our understanding of the key events in the development of cavitary pulmonary tuberculosis in humans. This view, developed as a guide for further hypothesis testing, indicates that whether cavitary pulmonary tuberculosis develops by endogenous reactivation or by exogenous reinfection is determined solely by the route by which the tubercle bacillus reaches the apical-subapical region of the lung. It is in this region that the bacillus survives the cell-mediated immune response. This view of the pathogenesis of tuberculosis permits identification of the factors in a given geographic region that govern the probability of the development of cavitary pulmonary tuberculosis by one or the other pathway. Knowledge of these factors permits the identification of the appropriate strategies for tuberculosis control.

Animals↗

Pathogenesis of lymphoid interstitial pneumonia in natural and experimental ovine lentivirus infection.

Ovine lentivirus (OvLV), as a member of the lentivirinae subfamily of Retroviridae, shares morphological, genomic, and cytopathic features with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Although OvLV infection does not induce profound immune deficiency in sheep, it has many similarities with HIV infection, such as the capacity to infect macrophages, undergo antigenic variation in vivo, and induce slow progressive diseases involving the pulmonary, lymphoid, and central nervous systems. Studies of the pathogenesis of disease in sheep naturally or experimentally infected by OvLV are providing clues to the pathogenesis of HIV infection, including the significance of viral load, the emergence of cytopathic variants, the mechanisms and significance of viral antigenic variation, and viral neutralization, and mechanisms of lymphoproliferation and tissue destruction induced by the virus. Preliminary evidence suggests that infection by other microbial agents, including Mycoplasma species, may play a cofactor role in the pathogenesis of lentivirus-associated lymphoid interstitial pneumonia in sheep, but further studies are required to address this issue.

Animals↗

Role of colonization of the upper intestinal tract in the pathogenesis of ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the most frequent infection in mechanically ventilated patients. Colonization of the gastrointestinal tract, especially the stomach, is believed to be important in the pathogenesis of VAP. However, the literature on this topic is full of contradictory evidence. In the present review, we critically assess the existence and importance of the gastropulmonary route of colonization in the pathogenesis of VAP, and we analyze the differences between studies that show different results. Several preventive regimens (e.g., the use of sucralfate for stress ulcer prophylaxis and modulation of enteral feeding) have been used to prevent gastric colonization and decrease the incidence of VAP. However, none of these regimens has been demonstrated to be unequivocally beneficial. Moreover, recent analyses of the sequences of colonization in patients who develop VAP suggest that gastric colonization may be less important in the pathogenesis of VAP than has been assumed. As a result, the impact of other routes of colonization such as cross-colonization or transfer of rectal bacteria via the skin or other vectors to the respiratory tract may have been underestimated. Knowledge of the relative importance of each of these possible routes of colonization is essential for developing effective measures to prevent VAP.

Bacteria↗