Abnormal vascular development in zebrafish models for fukutin and FKRP deficiency.

Fukutin and fukutin-related protein (FKRP) are involved in the glycosylation of α-dystroglycan, a key receptor for basement membrane proteins. Aberrant α-dystroglycan glycosylation leads to a broad spectrum of disorders, ranging from limb girdle muscular dystrophy to Walker-Warburg syndrome. This is the first study investigating a role of fukutin and FKRP-mediated glycosylation in angiogenesis.

Comparison of a bacteriophage-delivered DNA vaccine and a commercially available recombinant protein vaccine against hepatitis B.

A bacteriophage lambda DNA vaccine expressing the small surface antigen (HBsAg) of hepatitis B was compared with Engerix B, a commercially available vaccine based on the homologous recombinant protein (r-HBsAg). Rabbits (five per group) were vaccinated intramuscularly at weeks 0, 5 and 10. Antibody responses against r-HBsAg were measured by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, by limiting dilutions and by subtyping.

Dok-7 promotes slow muscle integrity as well as neuromuscular junction formation in a zebrafish model of congenital myasthenic syndromes.

The small signalling adaptor protein Dok-7 has recently been reported as an essential protein of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Mutations resulting in partial loss of Dok-7 activity cause a distinct limb-girdle subtype of the inherited NMJ disorder congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMSs), whereas complete loss of Dok-7 results in a lethal phenotype in both mice and humans. Here we describe the zebrafish orthologue of Dok-7 and study its in vivo function.

Ovine trophoblast is a primary source of TNFalpha during Chlamydophila abortus infection.

Chlamydophila abortus is a Gram-negative obligate intracellular bacterium that causes infectious abortion in sheep (ovine enzootic abortion, OEA) and humans. Infected placentas recovered from sheep that experience OEA have thickened membranes, contain dense inflammatory cellular infiltrates and show evidence of intravascular thrombosis. Despite widespread inflammation, chlamydial multiplication is restricted to the chorionic trophoblast cells.

An immunisation strategy for the protection of cattle against alcelaphine herpesvirus-1-induced malignant catarrhal fever.

The aim of this study was to stimulate immunity in the oro-nasal-pharyngeal region of cattle to protect them from alcelaphine herpesvirus-1 (AlHV-1)-induced malignant catarrhal fever. Attenuated C500 strain AlHV-1 was used along with Freund's adjuvant intramuscularly (IM) in the upper neck region to immunise cattle. Virulent C500 strain AlHV-1 was used for intranasal challenge.

Phage library screening for the rapid identification and in vivo testing of candidate genes for a DNA vaccine against Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides small colony biotype.

A new strategy for rapidly selecting and testing genetic vaccines has been developed, in which a whole genome library is cloned into a bacteriophage lambda ZAP Express vector which contains both prokaryotic (P(lac)) and eukaryotic (P(CMV)) promoters upstream of the insertion site. The phage library is plated on Escherichia coli cells, immunoblotted, and probed with hyperimmune and/or convalescent-phase antiserum to rapidly identify vaccine candidates. These are then plaque purified and grown as liquid lysates, and whole bacteriophage particles are then used directly to immunize the host, following which P(CMV)-driven expression of the candidate vaccine gene occurs.

Bacteriophage lambda is a highly stable DNA vaccine delivery vehicle.

The stability of whole bacteriophage lambda particles, used as a DNA vaccine delivery system has been examined. Phage were found to be highly stable under normal storage conditions. In liquid suspension, no decrease in titre was observed over a 6-month period at 4 and -70 degrees C, and phage stability was unaffected by freeze/thawing.

Genetic immunisation against hepatitis B using whole bacteriophage lambda particles.

Mice and rabbits have been vaccinated with whole bacteriophage lambda particles containing a DNA vaccine expression cassette under the control of the CMV promoter (enhanced green fluorescent protein [lambda-EGFP] or hepatitis B surface antigen [lambda-HBsAg]). Mice were vaccinated twice intramuscularly (i.m.