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Evaluation of a commercial modified live virus fowl pox vaccine for the control of "variant" fowl poxvirus infections.

Three-week-old specific-pathogen-free chickens were vaccinated with either a commercial modified live virus fowl pox vaccine or five "variant" poxvirus field isolates. Immunity engendered by the commercial modified vaccine or field isolates was challenged with either the variant isolates or commercial modified vaccine virus. The commercial modified vaccine did not adequately protect vaccinates against challenge with the variant isolates. The percentages of vaccinated chickens protected following challenge with each of the variant isolates were 70%, 20%, 30%, 20%, and 25%. However, when the isolates were applied as vaccines, 100% of the vaccinates were protected against challenge from the modified vaccine virus. Furthermore, the variant poxvirus isolates offered excellent protection from challenge with homologous variant isolates. The modified live virus vaccine was expected to offer significant protection against challenge from the variant pox isolates, but in this experiment it did not. The variant isolates tested may be good vaccine candidates to prevent the vaccine breaks currently encountered in previously pox-vaccinated flocks.

Animals↗

The 9th International RASopathies Symposium.

The RASopathies are a group of congenital disorders with overlapping clinical manifestations that are caused by pathogenic germline or early somatic variants that result in the hyperactivation of the RAS/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Given the heterogeneous clinical presentations of these disorders that involve abnormalities across multiple organ systems, multidisciplinary clinical management and progress in scientific research are essential for optimal patient diagnosis and care. The 9th International RASopathies Symposium, a biennial meeting, was organized by the patient advocacy group RASopathies Network and showcased recent discoveries, case studies, and advances in preclinical research. Participants, who included scientists, clinicians, industry representatives, patients, and family advocates, explored knowledge gaps, innovative clinical approaches, and lived experiences of individuals with a RASopathy. Sessions centered around organ systems were introduced with a patient perspective to highlight the burden of disease, continued with presentations from established and early-career investigators. Overall, the RASopathies Symposia serve as a catalyst for sustained community collaboration focused on enhancing patient health and accelerating the translation of discoveries into effective treatments.

Humans↗

Unusually strong positive cooperativity in binding of peptides to latent membrane protein-1 DNA fragments of the Epstein-Barr viral gene.

The DNA-binding preferences of two oligopeptide amides, (His-Pro-Arg-Lys)(3)NH(2) (HR-12) and (Ser-Pro-Arg-Lys)(3)NH(2) (SP-12), have been examined by quantitative DNase I footprinting studies. Two different DNA fragments were investigated: a pair of 5'-(32)P-labeled duplexes from pBR322 with one or other of the complementary strands labeled and a corresponding pair of 5'-(32)P-labeled duplexes representing fragments of the latent membrane protein (LMP-1) gene from a pathogenic Epstein-Barr virus variant derived from nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The major objective was to examine molecular recognition and cooperative features associated with sequence-selective binding of synthetic peptides to the LMP-1 fragments. At various binding sites on the pBR322 fragments, Hill coefficients (n(H)) ranging from 1.9-2.2 were observed; these results indicate modest positive cooperativity between binding sites for both peptides. By contrast, unusually high values of n(H), ranging from 4.0-9.3, were observed at various binding sites on the LMP-1 fragments. Allosteric models can be constructed to interpret the observed cooperative interactions between different DNA recognition sites in the LMP-1 gene upon binding of the peptide ligands. It is noteworthy that these models feature a novel network of cooperativity interconnecting multiple DNA allosteric sites. The evidence of sequence selectivity and strong cooperativity discovered in this work may prove to be a general feature of peptide interactions with some nucleic acids.

Base Sequence↗

Use of intramolecular chimeras to map molecular determinants of symptom severity of potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd).

Nucleotide sequence comparison shows that sequence variations are mostly clustered in the P (pathogenicity) and V (variable) domains of the potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) molecule. Although these comparisons suggest the P domain as the primary determinant of PSTVd symptom severity, the potential contribution of the V domain has never been analysed in detail. To investigate the relationship between the structure of these domains and pathogenicity, six intraspecific chimeric PSTVd variants were constructed by exchanging P and V domains between a mild and two different severe PSTVd isolates. Infectivity studies showed that the P domain is directly responsible for the severity of symptoms induced in tomato. The four recombinants containing a P domain from a severe isolate caused severe symptoms including severe epinasty, stunting and veinal necrosis, while the two chimeras containing the mild isolate P domain induced only mild symptoms. Quantitation of viroid accumulation in plants infected with the various recombinants suggests that, with the constructions used, symptom severity did not correlate with viroid accumulation, indicating that the P domain did not influence symptom production through this simple mechanism.

Base Sequence↗

Genetic analysis of the GABRA1 gene in patients with essential tremor.

The gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABA-A) receptor mediates inhibitory neurotransmission in the brain and as such may be involved in certain neurological movement disorders, such as tremor. GABA-A receptor alpha 1 (Gabra)(-/-) mice have been reported to exhibit postural and kinetic, alcohol-responsive, tremor that is characteristic of essential tremor (ET), the most common form of tremor. To determine whether ET is associated with the GABRA1 gene mutation, we screened 76 patients with familial ET and found a novel nucleotide variant: IVS8+24 G>T (nt 6119289) in a male patient, and a known 156T>C polymorphism (nt 6090903) in exon 4 in 41% patients, which results in a silent mutation (G52G). No significant association between 156T>C variant and disease risk was found (adjusted OR=0.95, 95% CI=0.57-1.61; p=0.858) by further analysis of 121 familial ET patients and 114 normal controls, except a novel 96A>G (Q32Q; nt 6090743) variant, found in a normal control. Since the 156T>C variant appears to be not pathogenically relevant, our results suggest that missense, nonsense or splice site mutation in the coding region of the GABRA1 gene is not a major genetic cause of ET in Caucasian subjects.

Adult↗

Establishment and characterization of two human pluripotent stem cell lines from patients with ATX-FGF14/spinocerebellar ataxia 27A (SCA27A).

Spinocerebellar ataxia 27A (SCA27A) is a rare inherited ataxia arising from heterozygous pathogenic loss-of-function variants in FGF14. Autosomal recessive FGF14-related cerebellar ataxia has also been reported in a single individual to date. Here, we describe the generation and characterization of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines derived from two individuals with FGF14-related ataxia (ATX-FGF14): one with SCA27A and one with autosomal recessive disease. Given the predominantly neuronal expression of FGF14, these iPSC lines represent a valuable resource for investigating the cellular and molecular consequences of FGF14 deficiency in disease-relevant neuronal populations following directed differentiation.

Humans↗

Atypical decubital fibroplasia with unusual histology.

A case of atypical decubital fibroplasia with unusual histology arising in the buttock of a 68-year-old bed-ridden male in presented. The lesion measuring 5.4 cm in greatest dimension was histologically characterized by a proliferation of fibroblasts with oval to spindle nuclei and dense fibrous stroma with focal hyalinization and calcification. Ganglion-like fibroblastic cells and multinucleated giant cells of osteoclast type were also observed. There were numerous elastic fibers within and adjacent to the proliferating stromal cells. The proliferating stromal cells were positive for vimentin and collagen type IV but negative for CAM 5.2, epithelial membrane antigen, desmin, alpha-smooth muscle actin, muscle actin, HHF35, S-100 protein and CD34. Ultrastructurally, they were of a fibroblastic nature. The hypercellularity, lack of zones of fibrinoid necrosis, lack of lobulation and the presence of multinucleated giant cells were different from the originally described lesion. This condition represents a variant of atypical decubital fibroplasia. Pathogenic factors of this lesion are considered to be chronically repeated pressure and associated intermittent ischemia. The recognition of the lesion and its distinction from a sarcoma is essential.

Aged↗

BRCA1 and BRCA2 germline mutation spectrum and frequencies in Belgian breast/ovarian cancer families.

Worldwide variation in the distribution of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations is well recognised, and for the Belgian population no comprehensive studies about BRCA1/2 mutation spectra or frequencies have been published. We screened the complete coding region of both genes in 451 individuals from 349 Belgian families referred to a family cancer clinic and identified 49 families with a BRCA1 and 26 families with a BRCA2 mutation. Six major recurrent mutations (BRCA1 IVS5+3A>G, 2478-2479insG, E1221X and BRCA2 IVS6+1G>A, 6503-6504delTT, 9132delC) accounted for nearly 60% of all mutations identified. Besides 75 true pathogenic mutations, we identified several variants of unknown clinical significance. In combination with a family history, an early average age of female breast cancer diagnosis (P<0.001), and the presence of a relative with ovarian cancer (P<0.0001) or multiple primary breast cancers (P=0.002), increased the chance for finding a mutation. Male breast cancer was indicative of a BRCA2 mutation segregating in the family (P=0.002). Mutations in the 5'-end of BRCA1 and BRCA2 were associated with a significantly increased risk for ovarian cancer relative to the central portion of the gene. Our study suggests a role for additional breast cancer susceptibility genes in the Belgian population, since mutation detection ratios were low in high-risk breast cancer-only families as compared to breast-ovarian cancer families. Given the large proportion of recurring mutations, molecular testing can now be organised in a more cost-effective way. Our data allow optimisation of genetic counselling and disease prevention in Belgian breast/ovarian cancer families.

Adult↗

A dominant hepatitis B virus population defective in virus secretion because of several S-gene mutations from a patient with fulminant hepatitis.

There is increasing evidence that certain pathogenic hepatitis B virus (HBV) variants may play a role in the pathogenesis of fulminant hepatitis (FHB). Recently, we isolated from a patient with fulminant recurrent hepatitis B after liver transplantation variants with enhanced replication competence and a possible defect in viral particle secretion. Both viral features may have contributed to the severity of the disease. The aim of this study was to prove the secretion defect of these variants, to analyze the consequences, and to identify the responsible viral mutations. The variant genomes and appropriate wild-type/variant hybrid genomes were functionally characterized after transfection in human hepatoma cells. Two cloned genomes and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified mixture of full-length genomes showed a block in viral particle secretion. This was caused by a combination of amino acid changes in the S-protein including the mutation G145R frequently emerging after hyperimmunoglobulin treatment. The mutations induced retention of the surface proteins in an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-like compartment, but no intracellular accumulation. These data provide evidence for the in vivo existence of a dominant HBV population with a severe defect in viral particle secretion caused by mutations in the S-gene. This viral phenotype in combination with the enhanced replication competence may have contributed to the fulminant clinical course of the infection.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Sequence variation in the Fanconi anemia gene FAA.

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a genetically heterogeneous autosomal recessive syndrome associated with chromosomal instability, hypersensitivity to DNA crosslinking agents, and predisposition to malignancy. The gene for FA complementation group A (FAA) recently has been cloned. The cDNA is predicted to encode a polypeptide of 1,455 amino acids, with no homologies to any known protein that might suggest a function for FAA. We have used single-strand conformational polymorphism analysis to screen genomic DNA from a panel of 97 racially and ethnically diverse FA patients from the International Fanconi Anemia Registry for mutations in the FAA gene. A total of 85 variant bands were detected. Forty-five of the variants are probably benign polymorphisms, of which nine are common and can be used for various applications, including mapping studies for other genes in this region of chromosome 16q. Amplification refractory mutation system assays were developed to simplify their detection. Forty variants are likely to be pathogenic mutations. Seventeen of these are microdeletions/microinsertions associated with short direct repeats or homonucleotide tracts, a type of mutation thought to be generated by a mechanism of slipped-strand mispairing during DNA replication. A screening of 350 FA probands from the International Fanconi Anemia Registry for two of these deletions (1115-1118del and 3788-3790del) revealed that they are carried on about 2% and 5% of the FA alleles, respectively. 3788-3790del appears in a variety of ethnic groups and is found on at least two different haplotypes. We suggest that FAA is hypermutable, and that slipped-strand mispairing, a mutational mechanism recognized as important for the generation of germ-line and somatic mutations in a variety of cancer-related genes, including p53, APC, RB1, WT1, and BRCA1, may be a major mechanism for FAA mutagenesis.

Cell Cycle Proteins↗

Infection of hamsters with epidemiologically important strains of Clostridium difficile.

Five different toxigenic strains of Clostridium difficile of known human epidemiologic importance were tested for virulence in hamsters. Three strains-types B1, J9, and K14-have caused hospital outbreaks. Type Y2 is associated with a high rate of asymptomatic colonization in patients. The fifth strain, type CF2, is a toxin A-negative, toxin B-positive strain implicated in multiple human cases of C. difficile-associated diarrhea. Groups of 10 hamsters per strain were given 1 dose of clindamycin, followed 5 days later with gastric inoculation of 100 cfu of C. difficile. Hamsters given types B1, J9, K14, or Y2 showed 90%-100% colonization (albeit at a slower rate with type Y2) and 100% mortality of colonized animals. Hamsters challenged with type CF2 showed 60% (P= .01) colonization and 30% mortality (P= .0003). The hamster model demonstrated pathogenicity differences between a toxin variant strain and standard toxigenic strains but no significant differences among the standard strains.

Animals↗

Transmission of the hepatitis B virus-associated delta antigen to chimpanzees.

Inoculation of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive sera from patients with chronic liver disease and intrahepatic delta (delta) into chimpanzees susceptible to infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) resulted in type B hepatitis and delta markers (delta antigen and antibody to delta) in recipient animals. A dilution (10(-8)) of serum induced type B hepatitis without delta markers in another HBV-susceptible animal. HBV infection and delta markers did not develop in animals with preexisting titers of antibody of HBsAg. In chimpanzees with circulating HBsAg at the time of inoculation, synthesis of delta occurred earlier and its extent and duration were greater than in animals previously unexposed to HBV; coincident with synthesis of delta, hepatitis occurred in chronic HBsAg carriers, and synthesis of preexisting HBV gene products (HBsAg and hepatitis B core antigen) was diminished. Delta appears to be a marker of a transmissible pathogenic agent, either an HBV variant or another agent that requires the helper functions of HBV, that is defective and interferes with HBV replication.

Animals↗

HIV-1 infection in individuals with the CCR5-Delta32/Delta32 genotype: acquisition of syncytium-inducing virus at seroconversion.

Homozygosity for the 32 base-pair deletion (Delta32/Delta32) in the CCR5 coreceptor gene is associated with incomplete HIV-1 resistance. Six HIV-1-infected Delta32/Delta32 patients have been reported. We report 2 additional Delta32/Delta32-infected individuals, among 106 seroconverters in a vaccine preparedness study. Like the previous 6, these individuals experienced rapid CD4 decline. However, taken together, the 8 patients have neither uniformly high virus load nor rapid progression to AIDS. We obtained five virus isolates from 1 patient at 5, 6, 7, 10, and 12 months after the estimated time of infection. The earliest isolate exhibits the syncytium-inducing (SI) phenotype and exclusive use of the CXCR4 coreceptor, suggesting acquisition of HIV-1 through this coreceptor. Of the remaining 104 seroconverters, 8 were CCR5-Delta32/+ and 96 were CCR5-+/+. Three CCR5-+/+ seroconverters who showed the uncommon pattern of early SI virus and rapid CD4 decline had uniformly high viral load and more heterogeneous coreceptor usage. These results further support the conclusion that Delta32-mediated resistance is incomplete and is associated with acquisition of exclusively-X4 variants of HIV-1. The pathogenic potential of these viruses may be different from late-stage X4 virus or early X4 virus acquired by individuals with other CCR5 genotypes.

Base Pairing↗

Further Support of Autosomal Recessive CSF3-Related Severe Congenital Neutropenia.

Severe congenital neutropenia (SCN) is a genetically heterogeneous condition. Reaching a molecular diagnosis is important for management, prognostication, and risk assessment. We present the first confirmatory report of a previously proposed SCN due to a homozygous pathogenic loss-of-function variant in CSF3. Our report supports this new gene-disease relationship in humans.

Humans↗

Clinical and genetic studies in Spanish patients with Usher syndrome type II: description of new mutations and evidence for a lack of genotype--phenotype correlation.

Patients with Usher syndrome type II (USH2) show moderate-to-severe hearing loss (HL), retinitis pigmentosa and normal vestibular function. The progression of HL remains controversial. To evaluate whether a phenotype-genotype correlation exists regarding the issue of progression of HL, only USH2 patients with a defined genotype were selected. Ophthalmologic, vestibular and audiometric examination along with a mutation analysis of the USH2A gene (exons 1--21) was performed in twenty-eight Spanish USH2 patients. Ten different pathogenic mutations and 17 sequence variants not associated with the disease were found. Six of the 10 mutations are novel. Disease alleles were identified in 13 of the 28 families tested. Eight of these 13 families had a mutation found in both alleles. In the other five families, only one mutation was identified. The phenotypic data provide evidence for the existence of phenotypic differences between patients with the same genotype. These differences were observed at both the interfamilial and intrafamilial levels.

Adult↗

Low-phosphate-dependent invasion resembles a general way for Neisseria gonorrhoeae to enter host cells.

Obligate human-pathogenic Neisseria gonorrhoeae expresses numerous variant surface proteins mediating adherence to and invasion of target cells. The invariant major outer membrane porin PorB of serotype A (P.IA) gonococci triggers invasion into Chang cells only if the medium is devoid of phosphate. Since gonococci expressing PorB(IA) are frequently isolated from patients with severe disseminating infections, the interaction initiated by the porin may be of major relevance for the development of this serious disease. Here, we investigated the low-phosphate-dependent invasion and compared it to the well-known pathways of entry initiated by Opa proteins. P.IA-triggered invasion requires clathrin-coated pit formation and the action of actin and Rho GTPases. However, in contrast to Opa-initiated invasion via heparan sulfate proteoglycans, microtubules, acidic sphingomyelinase, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and myosin light chain kinase are not involved in this entry pathway. Nor are Src kinases required, as they are in invasion, e.g., via the CEACAM3 receptor. Invasion by PorB(IA) occurs in a wide spectrum of cell types, such as primary human epithelial and endothelial cells and in cancer cells of human and animal origin. Low-phosphate-dependent invasion is thus a pathway of gonococcal entry distinct from Opa-mediated invasion.

Animals↗

Characterization of the heat shock response in Brucella abortus and isolation of the genes encoding the GroE heat shock proteins.

In an effort to define the heat shock response in the bovine intracellular pathogen Brucella abortus, a rough variant lacking extensive lipopolysaccharide was pulse-labeled with [35S]methionine following exposure to elevated temperatures. The major heat shock proteins observed following sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography migrate at 70, 62, 18, and 10 kDa. The maximum response was observed between 42 and 46 degrees C and within 2 to 3 h of the shif in temperature and varied slightly for the different proteins. Accumulation of the 62-kDa heat shock protein (62-kDa Hsp) was observed to continue for up to 5 h following the shift in temperature. In an effort to better define the heat shock response and its potential relationship with protective immunity, genes encoding the major heat shock proteins were isolated from recombinant libraries constructed from B. abortus S19 and S2308 and sequenced. The 62-kDa Hsp shares more than 60% amino acid homology with members of the GroEL family and is immunoprecipitated with polyclonal antibodies to Escherichia coli GroEL and monoclonal antibodies to mycobacterial Hsp 65. Western blot (immunoblot) analysis with pooled sera from vaccinated and infected cattle revealed that the 62-kDa Hsp is a predominantly recognized antigen. The roles of these gene products during environmental stress and in protective immunity against brucellosis are under investigation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Rapid identification of causative species in patients with Old World leishmaniasis.

Conventional methods for the identification of species of Leishmania parasite causing infections have limitations. By using a DNA-based alternative, the present study tries to develop a new tool for this purpose. Thirty-three patients living in Marseilles (in the south of France) were suffering from visceral or cutaneous leishmaniasis. DNA of the parasite in clinical samples (bone marrow, peripheral blood, or skin) from these patients were amplified by PCR and were directly sequenced. The sequences observed were compared to these of 30 strains of the genus causing Old World leishmaniasis collected in Europe, Africa, or Asia. In the analysis of the sequences of the strains, two different sequence patterns for Leishmania infantum, one sequence for Leishmania donovani, one sequence for Leishmania major, two sequences for Leishmania tropica, and one sequence for Leishmania aethiopica were obtained. Four sequences were observed among the strains from the patients: one was similar to the sequence for the L. major strains, two were identical to the sequences for the L. infantum strains, and the last sequence was not observed within the strains but had a high degree of homology with the sequences of the L. infantum and L. donovani strains. The L. infantum strains from all immunocompetent patients had the same sequence. The L. infantum strains from immunodeficient patients suffering from visceral leishmaniasis had three different sequences. This fact might signify that some variants of L. infantum acquire pathogenicity exclusively in immunocompromised patients. To dispense with the sequencing step, a restriction assay with HaeIII was used. Some restriction patterns might support genetic exchanges in members of the genus Leishmania.

Adolescent↗