Macrophage polarization in lymph node granulomas from cattle and pigs naturally infected with complex.

Tuberculosis in animals is caused by members of the complex (MTC), with the tuberculous granuloma being the main characteristic lesion. The macrophage is the main cell type involved in the development of the granuloma and presents a wide plasticity ranging from polarization to classically activated or pro-inflammatory macrophages (M1) or to alternatively activated or anti-inflammatory macrophages (M2). Thus, this study aimed to analyze macrophage polarization in granulomas from cattle and pig lymph nodes naturally infected with MTC.

[Living-donor kidney graft ex vivo endoscopic nephrolithotomy with flexible instrument].

Introduction: The finding of an asymptomatic stone in the study of a living kidney donor does not necessarily contraindicate donation, however, there is no consensus on the management of these cases. The use of a graft with lithiasis may represent a risk of recurrence in the remaining kidney in the donor and eventual obstructive complications in the transplanted kidney. The objective of this work is to present the usefulness of ureteroscopy (URS) to resolve lithiasis ex vivo before transplantation.

FOVOCIP study: a multicenter randomized trial of fosfomycin versus ciprofloxacin for febrile neutropenia in hematologic patients-efficacy and microbiologic safety.

Background: Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial (MRGNB) infections represent a major public health threat. Cancer patients and, among them, hematological patients are most vulnerable to these infections. Gut colonization by MRGNB is a common phenomenon occurring during hospitalization and chemotherapy exposure.

Porcine Macrophage Markers and Populations: An Update.

Besides its importance as a livestock species, pig is increasingly being used as an animal model for biomedical research. Macrophages play critical roles in immunity to pathogens, tissue development, homeostasis and tissue repair. These cells are also primary targets for replication of viruses such as African swine fever virus, classical swine fever virus, and porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus, which can cause huge economic losses to the pig industry.

Quantitative analysis of MGMT promoter methylation status changes by pyrosequencing in recurrent glioblastoma.

MGMT promoter methylation status can change in response to several factors, treatment with alkylating therapy being the mechanism more commonly cited in the literature. Some authors have attempted to quantify these alterations, with inconsistent results. This study aims to determine changes in MGMT promoter methylation status by pyrosequencing, which quantitatively yields results, in a cohort of patients reoperated for recurrent glioblastoma and having previously completed the Stupp protocol.

Cytokine expression by CD163+ monocytes in healthy and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae-infected pigs.

Distinct monocyte subpopulations have been previously described in healthy pigs and pigs experimentally infected with Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP). The CD163+ subpopulation of bone marrow (BM), peripheral blood (PB) and lung monocytes was found to play an important role in the inflammatory process. The inflammation is accompanied by elevation of inflammatory cytokines.

Predicting malignancy in small testicular lesions.

Introduction: Small testicular lesions ≤20 mm (STL) detected by ultrasound (US), usually non-palpable, have been reported to be benign in up to 80% of cases. Thus, partial orchiectomy with or without frozen section examination and surveillance has been advocated for these kinds of lesions. We seek to report the proportion of benign lesions in testicular tumors ≤20 mm detected by US in our population and explore the predicting factors of malignancy.

CD9 expression in porcine blood CD4 T cells delineates two subsets with phenotypic characteristics of central and effector memory cells.

In this report, we describe the characterization of a new monoclonal antibody, named 4H5CR4, against porcine CD9. Its use in combination with antibodies to CD4, CD8α, and 2E3 allows to distinguish at least five main CD4 T cell subsets. Analysis on these subsets of CD45RA, CD27, CD29, CD95, CCR7, and SLA-DR markers depicts a progressive model of CD4 T cell development.

CD200R family receptors are expressed on porcine monocytes and modulate the production of IL-8 and TNF-α triggered by TLR4 or TLR7 in these cells.

The inhibitory receptor CD200R1 and its paired activating receptor CD200R1L are involved in the regulation of myeloid cell immune responses. The aim of this study was to analyze their distribution, regulation by cytokines, and function in porcine monocyte subsets. We had previously observed that CD200R1 and CD200R1L genes can generate different protein isoforms through alternative mRNA splicing, therefore in this study, we explored the diversity of transcripts in monocyte subsets, and described several new splicing variants of both CD200R1 and CD200R1L, some of which could be expressed on the porcine monocyte surface.

CD200R1 and CD200R1L expression is regulated during B cell development in swine and modulates the Ig production in response to the TLR7 ligand imiquimoid.

The CD200R family comprises a group of paired receptors that can modulate the activation of immune cells. They are expressed both on myeloid cells and lymphocyte subsets. Here we report that the expression of these receptors on porcine B cells is tightly regulated, being mainly expressed on mature cells.

Swine T-Cells and Specific Antibodies Evoked by Peptide Dendrimers Displaying Different FMDV T-Cell Epitopes.

Dendrimeric peptide constructs based on a lysine core that comprises both B- and T-cell epitopes of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) have proven a successful strategy for the development of FMD vaccines. Specifically, BT dendrimers displaying two copies of the major type O FMDV antigenic B-cell epitope located on the virus capsid [VP1 (140-158)], covalently linked to a heterotypic T-cell epitope from either non-structural protein 3A [3A (21-35)] or 3D [3D (56-70)], named BT-3A and BT-3D, respectively, elicit high levels of neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) and IFN-γ-producing cells in pigs. To assess whether the inclusion and orientation of T-3A and T-3D T-cell epitopes in a single molecule could modulate immunogenicity, dendrimers with T epitopes juxtaposed in both possible orientations, i.

Expression of CLEC4A in porcine tissues and leukocyte populations and characterization of mRNA splice variants.

CLECs are a group of molecules of the superfamily of C-type lectin domain containing receptors. Several receptors of this group have been described in humans and mice, as well as in other species. Many of them are expressed in immune cells, and have been shown to be involved in immune response modulation.

Identification of Promiscuous African Swine Fever Virus T-Cell Determinants Using a Multiple Technical Approach.

The development of subunit vaccines against African swine fever (ASF) is mainly hindered by the lack of knowledge regarding the specific ASF virus (ASFV) antigens involved in protection. As a good example, the identity of ASFV-specific CD8 T-cell determinants remains largely unknown, despite their protective role being established a long time ago. Aiming to identify them, we implemented the IFNγ ELISpot as readout assay, using as effector cells peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from pigs surviving experimental challenge with Georgia2007/1.

Porcine CLEC12B is expressed on alveolar macrophages and blood dendritic cells.

CLEC12B is a C-type lectin-like receptor expressed on myeloid cells. In this study, we have characterized the porcine homologue of CLEC12B (poCLEC12B). To this end, we have generated constructs encoding a c-myc tagged version of the whole receptor, or its ectodomain fused to the Fc portion of human IgG1, from a cDNA clone obtained from an alveolar macrophage library, and raised monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against this molecule.

Characterization of the Porcine CLEC12A and Analysis of Its Expression on Blood Dendritic Cell Subsets.

CLEC12A has been proposed as a suitable target for delivering antigen to dendritic cells (DCs) to enhance vaccine efficacy both in human and mouse. In this study, we have characterized the porcine homolog of CLEC12A (poCLEC12A). Using new monoclonal antibodies (mAb), raised against its ectodomain, poCLEC12A was found to be expressed on alveolar macrophages, blood conventional type 1 and type 2 DCs and plasmacytoid DCs, but not on monocytes, T cells, B cells or NK cells, in contrast to its human and murine homologs.

Identification of an Immunosuppressive Cell Population during Classical Swine Fever Virus Infection and Its Role in Viral Persistence in the Host.

Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) remains a highly important pathogen, causing major losses in the swine industry. Persistent infection is highly relevant for CSFV maintenance in the field; however, this form of infection is not fully understood. An increase in the granulocyte population has been detected in CSFV persistently infected animals.

Early ureteroscopic treatment in patients with urosepsis associated with ureteral calculi is a safe approach. A pilot study.

Introduction: Emergency drainage of the urinary tract is the first necessary approach in patients with urosepsis secondary to obstructive ureteral calculi. The appropriate waiting time before definitive treatment has not been determined. We hypothesized that early ureteroscopic treatment after the patient has been stabilized is as safe as deferred treatment.

TLR2, Siglec-3 and CD163 expressions on porcine peripheral blood monocytes are increased during sepsis caused by Haemophilus parasuis.

TLRs, Siglecs and CD163 are cell surface receptors that play an important role in immune response and sepsis. The objective of this study was to assess changes in the expression levels of several of these receptors (TLR2, TLR4, CD163, Siglec-1, Siglec-3, Siglec-5 and Siglec-10) on the surface of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from pigs with sepsis caused by Haemophilus parasuis. Flow cytometry was employed to analyze samples from an experimental infection and from cell cultures.

Kinetics of the expression of CD163 and CD107a in the lung and tonsil of pigs after infection with PRRSV-1 strains of different virulence.

The emergence of virulent strains of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), causing atypical and severe outbreaks, has been notified worldwide. This study assesses the expression, distribution and kinetics of PRRSV N-protein, CD163 and CD107a in the lung and tonsil from experimentally-infected piglets with three different PRRSV-1 strains: a virulent PRRSV-1 subtype 3 strain (SU1-bel) and two low-virulent subtype 1 strains, Lelystad virus (LV) and 215-06. SU1-bel replicated more efficiently in the lungs and tonsils.

Impact of PRRSV strains of different in vivo virulence on the macrophage population of the thymus.

The emergence of "highly pathogenic" isolates of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (HP-PRRSV) has raised new concerns about PRRS control. Cells from the porcine monocyte-macrophage lineage represent the target for this virus, which replicates mainly in the lung, and especially in HP-PRRSV strains, also in lymphoid organs, such as the thymus. This study aimed at evaluating the impact of two PRRSV strains of different virulence on thymic macrophages as well as after heterologous vaccination.

Interaction of PRRS virus with bone marrow monocyte subsets.

PRRSV can replicate for months in lymphoid organs leading to persistent host infections. Porcine bone marrow comprises two major monocyte subsets, one of which expresses CD163 and CD169, two receptors involved in the entry of PRRSV in macrophages. In this study, we investigate the permissiveness of these subsets to PRRSV infection.

Phenotypic and functional characterization of porcine bone marrow monocyte subsets.

Monocytes comprise several subsets with distinct phenotypes and functional capacities. Based on CD163 expression, two major monocyte subsets can be discriminated in the porcine bone marrow. The CD163 cells expressed higher levels of SLA-DR, Siglec-1, CD11R1 and CD16 when compared to CD163 monocytes, whereas no remarkable differences were observed in the expression of other markers analyzed.

African swine fever virus infection in Classical swine fever subclinically infected wild boars.

Background: Recently moderate-virulence classical swine fever virus (CSFV) strains have been proven capable of generating postnatal persistent infection (PI), defined by the maintenance of viremia and the inability to generate CSFV-specific immune responses in animals. These animals also showed a type I interferon blockade in the absence of clinical signs. In this study, we assessed the infection generated in 7-week-old CSFV PI wild boars after infection with the African swine fever virus (ASFV).

Splenic CD163 macrophages as targets of porcine reproductive and respiratory virus: Role of Siglecs.

CD169 and CD163 have been involved in the process of PRRS virus attachment and infection in macrophages, although recent studies have challenged the requirement for CD169. In addition to CD169, macrophages express other siglecs, whose role in PRRS virus infection is so far unknown. Splenic CD163 macrophages express Siglec-3 and Siglec-5 but almost undetectable levels of CD169.

Live attenuated African swine fever viruses as ideal tools to dissect the mechanisms involved in viral pathogenesis and immune protection.

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is the causal agent of African swine fever, a hemorrhagic and often lethal porcine disease causing enormous economical losses in affected countries. Endemic for decades in most of the sub-Saharan countries and Sardinia, the risk of ASFV-endemicity in Europe has increased since its last introduction into Europe in 2007. Live attenuated viruses have been demonstrated to induce very efficient protective immune responses, albeit most of the time protection was circumscribed to homologous ASFV challenges.