Canine distemper virus DNA vaccination of mink can overcome interference by maternal antibodies.

Canine distemper virus (CDV) is highly contagious and can cause severe disease against which conventional live vaccines are ineffective in the presence of maternal antibodies. Vaccination in the presences of maternal antibodies was challenged by vaccination of 5 days old and 3 weeks old mink kits with CDV DNA vaccines. Virus neutralising (VN) antibody responses were induced in mink kits vaccinated with a plasmid encoding the haemaglutinin protein (H) of CDV (n=5, pCDV-H) or a combination of the H, fusion (F) and nucleoprotein (N) of CDV (n=5, pCDV-HFN).

Carbohydrate determinants in ferret conjunctiva are affected by infection with influenza H1N1 virus.

Background: Carbohydrates often accomplish as cell-surface receptors for microorganisms and influenza virus preferentially binds to sialic acid through the viral haemagglutinin. The virus may attach not only to the epithelium in the airways, but also to the surface ocular epithelium.

Purpose: To decide if ferrets can be used to study virus induced conjunctivitis and to evaluate changes in the conjunctival glycosylation pattern during an influenza attack.

DNA vaccines encoding proteins from wild-type and attenuated canine distemper virus protect equally well against wild-type virus challenge.

Immunity induced by DNA vaccines containing the hemagglutinin (H) and nucleoprotein (N) genes of wild-type and attenuated canine distemper virus (CDV) was investigated in mink (Mustela vison), a highly susceptible natural host of CDV. All DNA-immunized mink seroconverted, and significant levels of virus-neutralizing (VN) antibodies were present on the day of challenge with wild-type CDV. The DNA vaccines also primed the cell-mediated memory responses, as indicated by an early increase in the number of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)-producing lymphocytes after challenge.

CAF01 potentiates immune responses and efficacy of an inactivated influenza vaccine in ferrets.

Trivalent inactivated vaccines (TIV) against influenza are given to 350 million people every year. Most of these are non-adjuvanted vaccines whose immunogenicity and protective efficacy are considered suboptimal. Commercially available non-adjuvanted TIV are known to elicit mainly a humoral immune response, whereas the induction of cell-mediated immune responses is negligible.

Manipulation of the gut microbiota in C57BL/6 mice changes glucose tolerance without affecting weight development and gut mucosal immunity.

Inflammatory diseases such as type 2 diabetes (T2D) in humans and mice are under the influence of the composition of the gut microbiota (GM). It was previously demonstrated that treating Lep(ob) mice with antibiotics improved glucose tolerance. However, wild type C57BL/6J mice may also exhibit plasma glucose intolerance reminiscent of human T2D.

Alcohol facilitates CD1d loading, subsequent activation of NKT cells, and reduces the incidence of diabetes in NOD mice.

Background: Ethanol ('alcohol') is a partly hydrophobic detergent that may affect the accessibility of glycolipids thereby influencing immunological effects of these molecules.

Methods: The study included cellular in vitro tests using α-galactosylceramide (αGalCer), and in vivo NOD mice experiments detecting diabetes incidence and performing behavioural and bacterial analyses.

Results: Alcohol in concentrations from 0.

Pandemic influenza 1918 H1N1 and 1968 H3N2 DNA vaccines induce cross-reactive immunity in ferrets against infection with viruses drifted for decades.

Background: Alternative influenza vaccines and vaccine production forms are needed as the conventional protein vaccines do not induce broad cross-reactivity against drifted strains. Furthermore, fast vaccine production is especially important in a pandemic situation, and broader vaccine reactivity would diminish the need for frequent change in the vaccine formulations.

Objective: In this study, we compared the ability of pandemic influenza DNA vaccines to induce immunity against distantly related strains within a subtype with the immunity induced by conventional trivalent protein vaccines against homologous virus challenge.

Aleutian mink disease virus and humans.

Reports of a possible relationship between Aleutian mink disease parvovirus (AMDV) and human infection are rare. However, 2 mink farmers with vascular disease and microangiopathy similar to that in mink with Aleutian disease were found to have AMDV-specific antibodies and AMDV DNA. These findings raise the suspicion that AMDV may play a role in human disease.

Nephropathy in type 1 diabetes is associated with increased circulating activated platelets and platelet hyperreactivity.

Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) have increased platelet activation compared to non-diabetic controls. Platelet hyperreactivity has been associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes in Type 2 DM, and with diabetic nephropathy. We investigated the relationship between platelet activation and nephropathy in Type 1 DM.

Early life DNA vaccination with the H gene of Canine distemper virus induces robust protection against distemper.

Young mink kits (n=8) were vaccinated with DNA plasmids encoding the viral haemagglutinin protein (H) of a vaccine strain of Canine distemper virus (CDV). Virus neutralising (VN) antibodies were induced after 2 immunisations and after the third immunisation all kits had high VN antibody titres. The VN antibody titres remained high for more than 4 months and the mink were protected against viraemia, lymphopenia, clinical disease and changes in the percentage of IFN-gamma producing peripheral blood leucocytes after challenge inoculation with a recent wild type strain of CDV.

Humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in DNA immunized mink challenged with wild-type canine distemper virus.

The aim of the study was to investigate the different phases of the immune response after DNA immunization with the hemagglutinin and nucleoprotein genes from canine distemper virus (CDV). Although attenuated live CDV vaccines have effectively reduced the incidence of disease, canine distemper is still a problem worldwide. The broad host range of CDV creates a constant viral reservoir among wildlife animals.

Characterization of antibodies against ferret immunoglobulins, cytokines and CD markers.

Ferret IgG and IgM were purified from normal serum, while ferret IgA was purified from bile. The estimated molecular weights of the immunoglobulin gamma, alpha and mu heavy chains were found to be 54kDa, 69kDa and 83kDa, respectively. For immunological (ELISA) quantification of ferret immunoglobulins, we identified and characterized polyclonal antibodies towards ferret IgG, IgM and IgA.

Lymphotropism and host responses during acute wild-type canine distemper virus infections in a highly susceptible natural host.

The mechanisms behind the in vivo virulence of immunosuppressive wild-type morbillivirus infections are still not fully understood. To investigate lymphotropism and host responses, we have selected the natural host model of canine distemper virus (CDV) infection in mink. This model displays multisystemic infection, similar to measles virus and rinderpest virus infections in their susceptible natural hosts.

Summary of the animal homologue section of HLDA8.

The development of reagents against leukocyte differentiation antigens in veterinary species is delayed compared to mouse and men and therefore also the number of existing reagents for the characterisation of leukocytes derived from species with importance in veterinary medicine is restricted. Cross-reactive studies with existing well defined monoclonal antibodies directed against leukocyte differentiation antigens derived from other species are an alternative approach to enhance the panel of reagents in veterinary immunology. This study describes the activities of the animal homologue section in frame of human leukocyte differentiation antigen 8-workshop (HLDA8) were 376 monoclonal antibodies, mainly directed against human leukocytes had been tested for their reactivity with 17 different animal species including non-human primates, ruminants, swine, horse, carnivores, rabbit, guinea pig, chicken and fish.

Vaccination of mice with plasmids expressing processed capsid protein of foot-and-mouth disease virus--importance of dominant and subdominant epitopes for antigenicity and protection.

The capsid of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) displays several independent B cell epitopes, which stimulate the production of neutralising antibodies. Some of these epitopes are highly variable between virus strains, but dominate the immune response. The site A on VP1 is the most prominent example of a dominant and variable site.

Cloning, characterization and mapping of porcine CD14 reveals a high conservation of mammalian CD14 structure, expression and locus organization.

The cell surface protein CD14 plays a central role in innate immunity as a pattern recognition receptor. CD14 is part of a receptor complex also including toll-like receptor 4 and MD2 proteins. Binding of the ligand lipopolysaccharide to the complex on myeloid cells leads to release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators from the cell.

Cytokine mRNA profiles in pigs exposed prenatally and postnatally to Schistosoma japonicum.

The pig is a natural host for Schistosoma japonicum and a useful animal model of human infection. The aim of the present study was to assess the differences between the cytokine profiles in prenatally or postnatally S. japonicum exposed pigs.

Various domains of the B-cell regulatory molecule CD72 has diverged at different rates in mammals: cloning, transcription and mapping of porcine CD72.

We report the cloning of the porcine B-cell co-receptor CD72, as well as genomic mapping and examination of transcription. The B-cell receptor (BCR) complex mediates signalling upon antigen recognition by the membrane bound BCR. Several co-receptors modulate this signal positively or negatively.

A time course study of immunological responses in Trichuris suis infected pigs demonstrates induction of a local type 2 response associated with worm burden.

In order to investigate immunological changes over time in pigs infected with Trichuris suis, we inoculated 40 pigs with 5000 infective T. suis eggs and left 40 pigs as uninfected controls. Equal numbers of pigs from both groups were sacrificed every other week from 1 to 11 weeks p.

Summary of the animal homologue section of HLDA8.

Development of reagents against leukocyte differentiation antigens in veterinary immunology is slower compared to humans and mice. Cross-reactivity studies with monoclonal antibodies (mAb) generated against human molecules represent an excellent approach for the detection of new reagents for the minor characterised species. Three hundred seventy-seven commercially available mAb from different companies were tested for their reactivity with cells from 17 species--including non-human primates, ruminants, swine, horse, carnivores, rabbit, guinea pig, chicken and fish.

CD molecules 2005: human cell differentiation molecules.

The immune system works through leukocytes interacting with each other, with other cells, with tissue matrices, with infectious agents, and with other antigens. These interactions are mediated by cell-surface glycoproteins and glycolipids. Antibodies against these leukocyte molecules have provided powerful tools for analysis of their structure, function, and distribution.

DNA vaccination with the Aleutian mink disease virus NS1 gene confers partial protection against disease.

Aleutian disease virus (ADV) causes severe losses in mink. This happens in nature as well as in farms. In spite of several attempts to provide an efficient protective protein based vaccine, experiments have failed so far.

Antibodies to Aleutian mink disease parvovirus in free-ranging European mink (Mustela lutreola) and other small carnivores from southwestern France.

Owing to the rapid decline of the European mink (Mustela lutreola) in France, a national conservation action plan has been initiated, in which scientific research to improve understanding of the causes of the decline is one of the primary objectives. In order to investigate the possible role of Aleutian disease parvovirus (ADV) in decline of the species, a serologic survey was conducted from March 1996 to March 2002 in 420 free-ranging individuals of six species of small carnivores distributed in eight departments of southwestern France. Antibodies to ADV were detected in 17 of 75 American mink (Mustela vison), 12 of 99 European mink, 16 of 145 polecats (Mustela putorius), four of 17 stone martens (Martes foina), one of 16 pine martens (Martes martes), and three of 68 common genets (Genetta genetta).

The resistance of delayed xenograft rejection to alpha(1,3)-galactosyltransferase gene inactivation and CD4 depletion in a mouse-to-rat model.

Critical to the prevention of xenograft loss is the prevention of delayed xenograft rejection (DXR), due to its resistance to conventional immunosuppression. The role of the carbohydrate galactose-alpha1,3-galactose (alpha1,3Gal) has been a matter of great debate and it has been proposed that the reaction between alpha1,3Gal epitopes on donor endothelial cells and recipient anti-alpha1,3Gal antibodies (Abs) may damage the graft during DXR. Recipient anti-alpha1,3Gal Abs are produced by CD4-dependent B cells.