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PubMed1985

Identification and characterization of trypsin, chymotrypsin and elastase inhibitors in the hedgehog, Erinaceus europaeus, and their immunological relationships to those of other mammals (rat, pig and human).

Hedgehog plasma was separated by gel filtration on Sephacryl S-200, the fractions resolved by electrophoresis and the electrophoregrams characterized for trypsin, chymotrypsin and elastase inhibiting activities with both low and high molecular weight substrates. Approximate molecular weights were also determined. At least ten protease inhibitors were characterized in hedgehog plasma including three macroglobulins. The hedgehog protease inhibitors were identified by immunoelectrophoresis. Four protease inhibitors showed homologies with specific human, rat or swine antisera. These were alpha 2- and beta-macroglobulins, alpha 1-protease inhibitor and alpha 2-antithrombin.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactive neurons in the hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) and the sheep (Ovis aries) brain.

The peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunohistochemical method has been used in order to investigate the distribution of neurons immunoreactive with antiserum against neuropeptide Y in the hedgehog and the sheep brain. Neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive bipolar and multipolar neurons, with a diameter ranging from 10-30 microns, were found in the following regions: cerebral cortex, striatum, Ammon's horn, gyrus dentatus, amygdala, anterior olfactory nucleus, nucleus accumbens, area along the medial forebrain bundle, arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus and lateral reticular nucleus of both hedgehog and sheep brain. Furthermore, while neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive neurons were also found in the medial and lateral septal nucleus, interstitial nucleus of the stria terminalis, retrochiasmatic area, central gray substance of the midbrain, colliculus caudalis, and nucleus of the solitary tract of the sheep, respective regions of the hedgehog brain appeared to be devoid of immunoreactive perikarya. This distribution pattern is identical to that observed with antiserum against avian pancreatic polypeptide. The differences in the distribution of neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive neurons in the two species studied as well as between our results and those in other species are briefly discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Study of the testis in the active and hibernating hedgehog.

The structure and ultrastructure of the hedgehog's testis has been studied during active and hibernating states. The maximum activity of the hedgehog's testis manifest itself in spring and summer. In autumn they enter in a seasonal resting, in which, the interstitial cells atrophy and it can observe primary spermatocytes resting next to spermatogonia and supporting cells in the seminiferous tubules. These have a minimal diameter and contain only primary spermatocytes in hibernating period also the seminiferous epithelium that compound the walls of the tubules are about 72 microns thick in the active period and about 47 microns in hibernation. The Sertoli cells shows a small diameter in hibernation than in the active season. The nucleus has one or two nucleoli with distinguish themselves from those observed in the active season because of their closer union with the inner nuclear envelope. In autumn (resting period) the interstitial tissue regress and the Leydig cells are aggregated in blocks with little cytoplasm, minimum size nuclei and 1 or 2 nucleolus closely to the inner nuclear membrane. Like then in the ovary, the hedgehog's testis follows a seasonal cycle determined by the temperature and environmental changes and it have a power of physiological adaptation inherent of a typical hibernating animal.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Different types of pinealocytes as revealed by immunoelectron microscopy of anti-S-antigen and antiopsin binding sites in the pineal organ of toad, frog, hedgehog and bat.

S-antigen- and opsin-immunoreactive sites were studied in the pineal organ of toad (Bufo bufo), frog (Rana tigrina), hedgehog (Erinaceus roumanicus) and bat (Myotis myotis) by light microscopic avidin-biotin-peroxidase and electron microscopic immunoglobulin-gold (immunogold), protein A-gold and avidin-biotin-ferritin techniques. The corresponding retinas served as reference tissues. A large number of photoreceptors of toad and frog pineal organ exhibited either strong or weak S-antigen immunoreaction in the outer segments, perikarya and basal processes. A small number of photoreceptors was S-antigen-negative. In general, the intensity of the reaction was stronger in the immunoreactive outer segments of the pineal organ than in those of the rods and certain cones of the retina. In hedgehog and bat, the perikarya and processes of the pinealocytes were either strongly or weakly S-antigen-positive or they lacked immunogold labeling. By use of an antibovine rhodopsin antiserum either strong or weak opsin immunoreactivity was found in the pineal outer segments of toad and frog. A small number of pineal photoreceptors lacked opsin antigenic sites. Double labeling with both antibovine S-antigen and antibovine opsin antisera showed that the opsin immunoreaction was present in the outer segments which also exhibited S-antigen immunoreaction. In the pineal organ of hedgehog and bat, no opsin immunoreaction was observed with the antisera used. It is proposed that in the pineal organ at least two types of photoreceptors are present: one "rod-type" elaborating rhodopsin accompanied by S-antigen and one (or two) "cone-type(s)" using an unknown photopigment(s). Obviously, the different photoreceptors enable the animal to perceive the different wavelengths of the light spectrum.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

[Flea bites caused by Archaeopsylla erinacei, the hedgehog flea].

A hedgehog flea was the cause of multiple flea bites in a 48-year-old patient. The main host of the hedgehog flea is the European hedgehog, but the flea was also found in different furry mammals, such as polecats, brown rats and foxes. It was not previously known that Archaeopsylla erinacei attacks man.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

[An electron microscope study of the inner circular layer and related interstitial Cajal cells of the small intestine of the hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) during its annual cycle].

The inner portion of the circular layer (the special layer) of the small intestine of the hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) and its related interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) were studied by electron microscopy for the first time in the literature. Hedgehogs were studied in active conditions, during hibernation and at arousal. The structure of the inner portion of the circular layer of the hedgehog is similar to that observed in other mammals a special layer formed by thin muscle cells may be recognized; a plexus muscularis profundus (PMP) and ICC are localized between this layer and the outer portion of the circular layer; the PMP is rich in varicosities with many synaptic vesicles (both small agranular and large granular vesicles); most varicosities are in close contact with the ICC; the ICC are closely resembling those described for man, since they have several cytological features very similar to those of smooth muscle cells. During hibernation glycogen particles and caveolae are very numerous and the Golgi apparatus is poorly developed both in the ICC and in the smooth muscle cells of the special layer; in the PMP the synaptic vesicles, especially the large granular ones, are greatly reduced in number. At the beginning of arousal the glycogen particles disappear; at the end of arousal the caveolae are as numerous and the Golgi apparatus as large as in the active conditions both in ICC and in smooth muscle cells. The synaptic vesicles, following the gradual increase of body temperature, become numerous and at the end of arousal their number is similar to or greater than in active conditions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1994

The hedgehog gene family in Drosophila and vertebrate development.

The segment polarity gene hedgehog plays a central role in cell patterning during embryonic and post-embryonic development of the dipteran, Drosophila melanogaster. Recent studies have identified a family of hedgehog related genes in vertebrates; one of these, Sonic hedgehog is implicated in positional signalling processes that show interesting similarities with those controlled by its Drosophila homologue.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Atlas of the serotonin-containing cell bodies and fibers in the central nervous system of the hedgehog.

Immunocytochemistry with an antiserum raised against serotonin was used to provide detailed description of the serotonin (5-HT)-containing cell bodies and fibers in the CNS of the hedgehog (Erinaceus europeaus). The distribution of the 5-HT-positive cells and the pattern of 5-HT innervation resembled those described in other mammalian species but several differences were also noticed. The nine B groups of Dahlstrom and Fuxe (1964) were observed, except for the B 4 group which was not detected in the hedgehog. Neuron-like immunoreactive cells were also observed in brain regions located outside the brainstem reticular formation. Among the latter the olfactory tubercle and the thalamus have not been described to contain 5-HT cell bodies in other mammals. The number and the "lateralization" of 5-HT-positive neurons in areas outside the midline raphe were more limited than those described in the rodents and much more limited than in the carnivores and the primates. 5-HT-positive axons were unevenly distributed throughout the hedgehog's CNS. From all neocortical areas, which displayed the highest innervation density in the layer I, somatosensory and visual areas were the most heavily and lightly innervated ones respectively. Other regions of the forebrain exhibiting dense serotoninergic innervation were: olfactory cortex; olfactory tubercle; subiculum; lateral septal nucleus; stratum; medial and basal amygdaloid nuclei. Dense serotoninergic innervation were also found to receive the following brainstem structures: lateral hypothalamic area; dorsal part of the suprachiasmatic nucleus; arcuate nucleus; median eminence; habenular nuclei; centromedian thalamic nucleus; ventral tegmental area; medial part of the substantia nigra; interpeduncular nucleus; locus coeruleus; cuneiform nucleus; motor nucleus of the trigeminal nerve; facial nucleus; parabrachial nucleus; prepositus hypoglossi nucleus; medial subnucleus of the nucleus of the solitary tract; hypoglossal nucleus; dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus. In the spinal cord, laminae IX and X received the heaviest innervation.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Catecholaminergic and serotoninergic fibres innervate the ventricular system of the hedgehog CNS.

Immunocytochemistry with antisera against serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA) and noradrenaline (NA) was used to detect monoaminergic (MA) fibres in the ventricular system of the hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus. Light microscopic examination of immunocytochemically stained sections revealed that the ventricular system of the hedgehog is unique among mammals in that the choroid plexuses receive CA axons and that the supraependyma and subependyma of the cerebral ventricles and the spinal central canal are innervated both by serotoninergic and catecholaminergic (CA) fibres. Supraependymal 5-HT axons were generally more abundant and created at places a large number of interconnected basket-like structures, whereas CA fibres were usually directed towards the ventricular lumen. In the lateral ventricles, CA fibres were more numerous in the ependyma lining grey matter, whereas a higher 5-HT innervation density was observed in the area between the corpus callosum and the caudate nucleus or the septum. In the 3rd ventricle, the ependyma of its dorsal part exhibited a higher 5-HT and NA innervation density, whereas DA fibres were preferentially distributed in the ventral half of the basal region. The ependyma lining the cerebral aqueduct displayed a higher MA innervation density in its ventral part. The ependymal wall of the 4th ventricle exhibited an extremely dense 5-HT innervation, mainly in the floor of the ventricle, relatively fewer NA fibres and only sparse DA ones. Few NA and relatively more 5-HT fibres were detected in the ependyma of the central canal. Finally, the circumventricular organs were unevenly innervated by the 3 types of MA fibres. The extensive monoaminergic innervation of the hedgehog ventricular system described here probably reflects a transitory evolutionary stage in the phylogeny of the MA systems with presently unknown functional implications.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

The distribution of the hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus L.) in Finland in 1975.

The distribution of the hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus L.) in Finland was surveyed in the light of an inquiry. The range presented is based on more than one thousand answers to a questionnaire. The extension further northward of this species during the past ten years was confirmed. The distributional areas of the hedgehog in Finland in 1952, 1965 and 1975 are presented in a cartogram. In southern Finland the number of the hedgehog has clearly decreased during the past ten years (1965-1975). Some possible reasons for the decline are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Food getting conditioned reflexes in hedgehogs].

The object of the study were the characteristics of formation of complex food-procuring conditioned reflexes in hedgehogs to visual stimuli of different complexity, to a simultaneous complex, and the interaction of visual and auditory sensory modalities. It has been shown that hedgehogs are capable of learning to choose one of the three simultaneously presented visual stimuli and perform a sequence of complex motor behavioral acts in stage-by-stage learning. Conditioned reflexes to stimuli of different modality were elaborated with difficulty only at their interaction. Higher nervous activity of hedgehogs (insectivorous) is characterized by primitive organization, weakness of inertness of nervous processes and limited integrative possibilities.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

[Rabid hedgehog in inner-city area of Budapest].

A family found a hedgehog in the inner-city area of Budapest (1st District, Castle Quarter). While playing with it, the four members of the family got beslavered by the hedgehog who then died. The dead animal was subjected to obligatory veterinarian examination abduction, and it proved to be rabid. All members of the family had to be inoculated against rabies as the probability of infection could not be excluded by the epidemiological examination. Surveying the available literature, if could not be found data relating to hedgehogs' rabies.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of whole body Co-60 irradiation on the testes and epididymides of hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus Collaris): a biochemical analysis.

The effects of 575 and 875 Rontgen (R) of whole-body irradiation in common Indian hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus Collaris) were studied. At 875 R it showed typical signs and symptoms of radiation sickness, transient body loss and radiation mortality. Extensive vasculitis, pyknosis, chromatorrhexix and chromatolysis was noticed in the testes of irradiated hedgehogs. Epididymides and vas deferens were devoid of spermatozoa. Whole body irradiation inhibited the RNA, protein and sialic acid synthesis in the testes. Total cholesterol per gram of testes was increased significantly. Sialic acid contents of the irradiated epididymides were low. Reduced androgen production was confirmed in non-active Leydig cells, with diminished sex accessory organs and decreased fructose contents in the seminal vesicles of irradiated hedgehogs.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Expression of zebrafish Lc3 synthase gene in embryonic lens requires hedgehog signaling.

Glycosyltransferases are involved in synthesis of various glycolipids and glycoproteins that play important roles in many biological processes. We have identified a zebrafish gene encoding a member of beta1,3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase family, the Lc3 synthase/bGn-T5. Whole-mount in situ hybridization reveals that the Lc3 synthase gene is expressed in two distinct phases during the zebrafish embryogenesis. The early phase extends from late blastulation to the completion of epiboly, during which the expression occurs in the superficial layer of the embryos. The second phase of expression starts during mid-segmentation and persists until day 3, during which the expression occurs prominently in the developing lens. The expression of the Lc3 synthase gene in the lens is inhibited in you-too (yot) mutant embryos that are defective in Hedgehog signaling. The expression in the lens also decreases in cyclops (cyc) and one-eyed-pinhead (oep) mutant embryos and lefty1-injected embryos, which are deficient in Nodal signaling and lack Hedgehog activity in the ventral brain. These results suggest that Hedgehog signaling is required for the Lc3 synthase expression in embryonic lens.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Localization of the human hedgehog-interacting protein (Hip) in the normal and diseased pancreas.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis. Previously, it has been shown that Indian hedgehog (Ihh) and its two signaling receptors patched (Ptc) and smoothened (Smo) are involved in the pathogenesis of chronic pancreatitis (CP) and PDAC. In the current study we analyzed the expression, distribution, and function of another component of this signaling pathway, the human hedgehog-interacting protein (Hip), in the normal pancreas, CP and PDAC utilizing real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR), immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, Hip siRNA transfection, cell growth assays, and cell cycle analysis. By QRT-PCR, Hip mRNA levels were fifteenfold and fourteenfold increased in CP (n = 22) and PDAC (n = 31) tissues, respectively, compared to normal pancreatic tissues (n=20) and correlated with glioma associated antigen (Gli1) but not Ptc or Protein kinase A (PKA) mRNA levels. Only SU-8686 and BxPC-3 pancreatic cancer cells expressed Hip mRNA, whereas expression was below the level of detection in the other six pancreatic cancer cell lines tested. As shown by immunohistochemistry, Hip was expressed in normal pancreatic tissues mainly in the cytoplasm of islet cells and in smooth muscle cells of blood vessels. In contrast, in CP and PDAC there was a different distribution and staining intensity within the islets. Moreover, Hip immunoreactivity was observed in the tubular complexes, PanIN 1-3 lesions, as well as in pancreatic cancer cells. Incubation of pancreatic cancer cell lines with recombinant Hip revealed a growth inhibitory effect in SU-8686 and Capan-1 pancreatic cancer cells and no effect on cell growth in the other tested cell lines. In addition, silencing of Hip expression using specific siRNA molecules increased the growth of SU-8686 cells. In conclusion, Hip is expressed in the normal pancreas, CP and PDAC tissues. The different pattern of Hip expression and abnormal localization in the diseased pancreas suggest that the enhanced activation of hedgehog signaling in CP and PDAC is-at least in part-due to the aberrant responsiveness and expression of Hip in these diseases.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2003

Rab23, a negative regulator of hedgehog signaling, localizes to the plasma membrane and the endocytic pathway.

The regulation of hedgehog signaling by vesicular trafficking was exemplified by the finding that Rab23, a Rab-GTPase vesicular transport protein, is mutated in open brain mice. In this study, the localization of Rab23 was analyzed by light and immunoelectron microscopy after expression of wild-type (Rab23-GFP), constitutively active Rab23 (Rab23Q68L-GFP), and inactive Rab23 (Rab23S23N-GFP) in a range of mammalian cell types. Rab23-GFP and Rab23Q68L-GFP were predominantly localized to the plasma membrane but were also associated with intracellular vesicular structures, whereas Rab23S23N-GFP was predominantly cytosolic. Vesicular Rab23-GFP colocalized with Rab5Q79L and internalized transferrin-biotin, but not with a marker of the late endosome or the Golgi complex. To investigate Rab23 with respect to members of the hedgehog signaling pathway, Rab23-GFP was coexpressed with either patched or smoothened. Patched colocalized with intracellular Rab23-GFP but smoothened did not. Analysis of patched distribution by light and immunoelectron microscopy revealed it is primarily localized to endosomal elements, including transferrin receptor-positive early endosomes and putative endosome carrier vesicles and, to a lesser extent, with LBPA-positive late endosomes, but was excluded from the plasma membrane. Neither patched or smoothened distribution was altered in the presence of wild-type nor mutant Rab23-GFP, suggesting that despite the endosomal colocalization of Rab23 and patched, it is likely that Rab23 acts more distally in regulating hedgehog signaling.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Molecular organization and embryonic expression of the hedgehog gene involved in cell-cell communication in segmental patterning of Drosophila.

hedgehog is a segment polarity gene necessary to maintain the proper organization of each segment of the Drosophila embryo. We have identified the physical location of a number of rearrangement breakpoints associated with hedgehog mutations. The corresponding hh RNA is expressed in a series of segmental stripes starting at cellular blastoderm in the posterior portion of each segment. This RNA is localized predominantly within nuclei until stage 10, when the localization becomes primarily cytoplasmic. Expression of hh RNA in the posterior compartment is independent of most other segment polarity genes, including en, until the late extended germ-band stage (stage 11). Sequence analysis of the hedgehog locus suggests the protein product is a transmembrane protein, which may, therefore, be directly involved in cell-cell communication.

Animals↗
PubMed1967

The role of small rodents and hedgehogs in a natural focus of tick-borne encephalitis.

The role of small rodents and hedgehogs in the circulation of tick-borne encephalitis in natural foci in the Tribec region of Czechoslovakia has been studied. Isolation of virus from the blood of Apodemus flavicollis, Clethrionomys glareolus and Erinaceus roumanicus, as well as the demonstration of antibodies in the sera of these mammals and of A. sylvaticus, Microtus arvalis and Sciurus vulgaris, showed that these mammals had been in contact with the virus in recent years. The proportion of positive sera was low, ranging from 4% to 11% for A. flavicollis in various parts of the Tribec region. In a study of the elementary focus at Jarok, it was found that the frequency of antibodies was considerably higher in hedgehogs than in small rodents; this may be due to the longer life-cycle of the former, which makes the probability of reinfection greater. Clearly, the hedgehog and the small rodents studied are important hosts of ticks and reservoirs of tick-borne encephalitis virus in the Tribec region.

Animals↗