Experimental infection of specific-pathogen-free mice with enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7.

By subcutaneous inoculation of 10(8) CFU of enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157:H7, specific-pathogen-free mice revealed most of the symptoms and histological changes observed in patients. The histological changes in intestine were mainly seen in the distal parts of small intestine and the cecum. Vacuolation of villi in the cecum was also observed. The histological changes in the kidneys of the infected mice were featured as the swollen epithelial cells of glomeruli and the marked thickening of glomerular capillaries with barely visible lumens. Unexpected findings in the bronchiole were characterized by sloughing of the epithelial cells of bronchiolar wall, leading to partial or complete obstruction of the lumens. Histological changes in the spleen, liver and lymphnodes were also observed. The bacteria were recovered from the feces, contents of small intestine, and samples taken from kidney, liver, heart, spleen, different parts of small intestine, cecum, and colon. By using peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) assay with polyclonal antibodies against "O" antigen of E. coli O157:H7, it was observed that the samples taken from the brain, kidney, ileum, cecum, spleen, and liver gave positive reactions. Feces and contents of small intestine obtained from all of the infected animals were positive by occult blood test. These results show that the experimental infection of E. coli O157:H7 in this model is systemic in nature.     

Immune effect of heat-killed multistrain of Lactobacillus acidophilus against Salmonella typhimurium invasion to mice

AIMS: This study attempted to determine whether lactic acid bacteria (LAB) could have a better probiotic function when used as a multistrain mixture, i.e. Mix-LAB, than when used as a monostrain. To this end, three strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus, specifically strain LAP5, LAF1 and LAH7, were heat-killed and mixed. This heat-killed Mix-LAB was used to evaluate the effectiveness of multistrain in inhibiting Salmonella invasion into cultured cells and into organs (spleen and liver) of live mice. METHODS AND RESULTS: BALB/c mice were orally administered with heat-killed Mix-LAB or sterile normal saline (control) for seven consecutive days and then challenged with orally administered Salmonella typhimurium on day 8. Results showed that, at day 6 after the challenge, the mice which had received Mix-LAB exhibited lower rates (P < 0.05) of Salmonella invasion into liver and spleen than did the control mice. Also, before the Salmonella challenge, the serum tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels were not significantly different (P > 0.05) between these two groups of mice. After the challenge, however, the serum TNF-alpha level was significantly elevated (P < 0.05) in the control group, but not significantly changed in the Mix-LAB fed mice. To investigate possible factors involved in heat-killed Mix-LABs antagonistic effect on Salmonella invasion of mouse organs, heat-killed single strain and Mix-LAB were evaluated for ability to inhibit Salmonella invasion into cultured human intestinal Int-407 and Caco-2 cells. Results showed that none of the heat-killed strains were able to protect these cultured cells from Salmonella invasion, even though strains of LAP5 and Mix-LAB were adherent to them. However, study of the activation of murine macrophage Raw 264.7 cells showed that heat-killed Mix-LAB stimulated TNF-alpha production, nitric oxide release, and increased phagocytic activity in macrophages. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that heat-killed Mix-LAB can inhibit Salmonella invasion of mouse organs through the immunomodulating role of activated macrophage. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The ability of heat-killed Mix-LAB to prevent bacterial infection in mice was found to be more significant than that of viable monostrain. This effect may be due to the activation of the immune system rather than to the adherence of LAB to the intestine epithelium.     

Effect of bacterial monoassociation on brush-border enzyme activities in ex-germ-free piglets: comparison of commensal and pathogenic Escherichia coli strains

This study was designed to investigate the effect of monoassociation of germ-free piglets with Escherichia coli strains on the development of intestinal brush-border enzyme activities. Piglets were delivered by hysterectomy, reared for seven days under germ-free conditions and fed milk formula diet. One group was maintained germ-free, the other four groups were monoassociated on day eight with one of four E. coli strains: non-pathogenic O86 or O83 and G58-1, or pathogenic 933D. The development of brush-border digestive enzyme functions in the small intestine was evaluated after 15 days. Germ-free controls exhibited slower developmental declines of lactase, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase and alkaline phosphatase, and delayed increases of sucrase and glucoamylase compared to conventionally grown animals. Association of germ-free piglets with the non-pathogenic E. coli strains O86 and O83 resulted in increased enterocyte differentiation along the length of the small intestine, accompanied by declining activities of lactase, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase and alkaline phosphatase, and elevated activities of maturational markers such as sucrase and glucoamylase. Maturational changes also occurred along the villus-crypt axis, as revealed by histochemical localization of aminopeptidase N on the villi tips in piglets colonized with E. coli O83. Interestingly, colonization with the pathogenic E. coli strain 933D stimulated changes in the main differentiation enzyme markers lactase, sucrase and glucoamylase to an extent comparable with those produced by the non-pathogenic and probiotic E. coli strains. In conclusion, germ-free piglets represent a valuable tool to study the consequences of colonization of the immature sterile gut with defined strains of bacteria.     

多鳞白甲鱼X型凝集素(OmITLN)基因克隆及在抗菌免疫中的功能研究

为探究秦巴山溪半洞穴鱼类——多鳞白甲鱼的先天性免疫因子X型凝集素的免疫功能,研究从多鳞白甲鱼(Onychostoma macrolepis)肝脏转录组数据库筛选出一种Intelectin基因片段,通过克隆鉴定获得Intelectin基因cDNA序列全长,命名为OmITLN;采用qRT-PCR分析OmITLN基因在健康多鳞白甲鱼8个组织和嗜水气单胞菌感染后两个免疫组织的表达情况;构建OmITLN基因的原核表达载体并在大肠杆菌BL21中诱导表达,获得Om ITLN重组蛋白,采用ELISA法以及荧光标记法检测Om ITLN对病原菌的凝集效果及糖结合情况。结果显示, OmITLN是一种X型凝集素基因,其cDNA全长960 bp,编码315个氨基酸。Om ITLN蛋白含有1个N端的纤维蛋白原相关结构域(Fibrinogen-Related Domain, FReD)和1个C端Intelectin特异性区域,不具有信号肽和跨膜区。系统进化树分析发现, Om ITLN与鲫、团头鲂、鳙、草鱼等鲤科鱼类的Intelectin聚为一支,亲缘关系最近。OmITLN基因在所检测组织均有表达,且在脾脏和肝脏中的...     

Adoptive transfer of BALb/c mouse splenocytes reduces lesion severity and induces intestinal pathophysiologic changes in the Mycobacterium avium Subspecies paratuberculosis beige/scid mouse model

Successful immune reconstitution would enhance resistance of beige/scid mice to chronic infection with Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis, but may cause damage to intestinal tissue. Therefore, we investigated the effect of adoptive transfer of BALB/c mouse splenocytes on lesion severity and intestinal physiology in beige/scid mice infected with M. paratuberculosis. Mice were inoculated intraperitoneally (i.p.) with M. paratuberculosis, and two weeks later were inoculated i.p. with viable spleen cells from immune-competent BALB/c mice. Mice were necropsied 12 weeks after infection when engraftment of lymphocytes, clinical disease, pathologic lesions, and intestinal electrophysiologic parameters were evaluated. Lymphocytes were rare in control beige/scid mice not inoculated with spleen cells. In contrast, high numbers of CD4+, CD8+, and B220+ lymphocytes were detected in the spleen of all beige/scid mice (n = 24) inoculated with spleen cells, indicating that adoptive transfer resulted in successful engraftment of donor lymphocytes (immune reconstitution). Immune reconstitution of M. paratuberculosis-infected beige/ scid mice significantly reduced the severity of clinical disease and pathologic lesions, and numbers of bacteria in the liver. However, intestinal electrophysiologic parameters studied in vitro indicated that intestinal tissues from reconstituted beige/scid mice had reduced short-circuit current responses (due to reduced ion secretion) following electrical, glucose, and forskolin stimulation. These abnormal responses suggested that neural or epithelial cells in the intestine were damaged. We conclude that successful immune reconstitution of beige/scid mice enhance their resistance to M. paratuberculosis infection, but may cause pathophysiologic changes associated with intestinal inflammation.     

Transfer of Eimeria nieschulzi using extraintestinal tissue

The issue of extraintestinal infection by Eimeria nieschulzi in the rat was addressed by transferring various tissues from infected to uninfected rats by mouth. All 6 rats receiving liver, spleen, or small intestine from rats killed at 3 or 8 hr postinoculation (PI), and all 5 rats receiving spleen and small intestine from rats killed 8 days PI, showed infections. Rats receiving tissues from rats killed at 8 days PI showed infections 24 hr later, indicating that fourth-generation merozoites were transferred. This is the first demonstration of an extraintestinal rodent eimerian.     

Hyperphagocytic haemocytes in Manduca sexta

We have discovered a new type of haemocyte in the larval stage of the tobacco hornworm moth Manduca sexta that has extreme phagocytic ability; each cell can engulf up to 500 bacteria. This level of phagocytosis may be unprecedented among animal cells. Although these hyperphagocytic cells (HP) only represent about 1% of the circulating haemocytes, they are responsible for sequestering the majority of the bacteria by circulating haemocytes when non-pathogenic, heat-killed Escherichia coli are injected into the haemolymph. Extreme phagocytosis by HP is not limited to Gram-negative bacteria since heat-killed Staphylococcus aureus as well as positively and negatively charged microspheres are also highly phagocytosed. Evidence is presented to show that phagocytosis by HP is involved in the early stages of nodule formation in infected insects. In addition, HP are also present in non-infected insects, characterised by their distinctive spreading morphology, which becomes impaired following hyperphagocytosis of bacteria. This is the first time that a dedicated "professional" phagocytic class of haemocyte has been reported for an invertebrate. The importance of these specialised cell types in the M. sexta immune response and their role in nodule formation is discussed.     

Genomic Instability in Liver Cells Caused by an LPS-Induced Bystander-Like Effect

Bacterial infection has been linked to carcinogenesis, however, there is lack of knowledge of molecular mechanisms that associate infection with the development of cancer. We analyzed possible effects of the consumption of heat-killed E. coli O157:H7 cells or its cellular components, DNA, RNA, protein or lipopolysaccharides (LPS) on gene expression in naïve liver cells. Four week old mice were provided water supplemented with whole heat-killed bacteria or bacterial components for a two week period. One group of animals was sacrificed immediately, whereas another group was allowed to consume uncontaminated tap water for an additional two weeks, and liver samples were collected, post mortem. Liver cells responded to exposure of whole heat-killed bacteria and LPS with alteration in γH2AX levels and levels of proteins involved in proliferation, DNA methylation (MeCP2, DNMT1, DNMT3A and 3B) or DNA repair (APE1 and KU70) as well as with changes in the expression of genes involved in stress response, cell cycle control and bile acid biosynthesis. Other bacterial components analysed in this study did not lead to any significant changes in the tested molecular parameters. This study suggests that lipopolysaccharides are a major component of Gram-negative bacteria that induce molecular changes within naïve cells of the host.     

Fortification of antimicrobial barrier of the small intestine in newborn mice after oral administration of ascorbigen]

Ascorbigen, a natural product, is an indole derivative of L-ascorbic acid. Its effect on postnatal development and antibacterial resistance of the small intestine was studied on newborn mice. Ascorbigen was administered to 3-5-day old mice in a dose of 100 mg/kg orally every day for 7-10 days. 30 minutes before the last administration of the drug clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus or Escherichia coli were administered intragastrically to the young mice. The animals were killed in 24 hours and the frequency of the isolation of the microbes from the blood, spleen, kidneys and liver was developed. The oral use of the drug normalized the intestinal microflora, provided a reliable decrease of the bacteria isolation from the blood, spleen, kidneys and liver and prevented the animal death. The morphological examination showed that ascorbigen significantly increased the number and activity of the Paneth cells in the gland crypts, the goblet cells in the villi and mononuclear cells in the selfplate of the intestine mucous membrane vs. the intact control.     

免疫组化法检测美国青蛙组织中的蛙虹彩病毒

分不同时期,收集经人工感染了蛙病毒的样蛙,取其心、肺、肾、肠脾、肝六种组织,并通过免疫组化方法进行检测。结果分别在感染了病毒3d、9d、11d后的幼蛙这六种组织中,由表及里观察到了深色的阳性信号,从而测定了病毒在入侵组织中的存在部位,其中,肺和肠组织中阳性信号最强,呈灶性分布,其余四种组织中的阳性信号则呈散性分布。在未注射病毒的幼蛙阴性对照组六种组织设计中没有检测到阳性信号。     

In vivo glucose utilization by individual tissues during nonlethal hypermetabolic sepsis

Febrile sepsis was induced in rats by repeated s.c. injections of live Escherichia coli bacteria. Glucose utilization of different tissues was investigated in vivo by using the 2-deoxyglucose tracer technique. In septic rats the rate of glucose utilization was increased in macrophage-rich tissues, including the liver (2.7-fold), spleen (2.4-fold), and ileum (1.6-fold), compared with tissues from time-matched nonseptic animals. A smaller increase in glucose utilization was evident in the abdominal muscle (1.3-fold) and in the white portion of the quadriceps muscle (1.3-fold). Changes were not significant in nine other tissues, including the brain. We postulate that in sepsis the mononuclear phagocyte system may be responsible for most of the increment of glucose utilization, and the latter provides metabolic support for the increased antibacterial activity of these cells.     

Acute oral intragastric pathogenicity and toxicity in mice of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paecilomyces fumosoroseus</Emphasis> isolated from whiteflies

Paecilomyces fumosoroseus, monospore culture EH-506/3, isolated in Mexico from Bemisia tabaci whitefly was tested for acute oral intragastric pathogenicity and toxicity in CD-1 mice. Animals were inoculated by gavage with only one dose (10⁸ conidia/animal) of viable (72 mice), heat-killed (24 mice) fungus and compared to 18 control mice. Clinical observations were done daily; mycological and histological tests were performed during necropsies at days 3, 10, 17, and 21 after the inoculation. No mice were clinically ill or died. At the end of the study, their mean weight corresponded to healthy adults. Positive fungal cultures of feces were obtained only 24 h after inoculation. Positive cultures were found in 15 out of 360 organs (liver, spleen, kidney, brain, lung) in 12 of 72 mice inoculated with viable conidia. Gross pathology exhibited splenomegaly and liver paleness in mice inoculated with viable and heat-killed fungus. Non-germinated conidia were observed in studied organs, without any pathological tissue reaction, suggesting no mycological or histopathological evidence of fungal multiplication. The fungus was able to persist, but did not cause permanent damage to the host. This study supports the non-pathogenic/toxic status of P. fumosoroseus EH-506/3 when administered intragastrically in mice.     

Mammary pathogenic Escherichia coli

Pathogenic Escherichia coli can be classified into several pathotypes, and it is believed that each pathotype carries one or more specific gene repertoire (or virulence factors combination) that distinguishes them from non-pathogenic E. coli strains and from other pathotypes. In contrast to this notion, it was proposed that this is not the case for E. coli mastitis, a common disease in farm animals and that any given E. coli isolate can cause this disease, even strains that are considered non-pathogenic. In this review we will re-examine this latter concept and recent advances in the study E. coli mastitis.     

Contamination of the Deep Tissues of Carcasses by Bacteria Present on the Slaughter Instruments or in the Gut

Possible routes by which bacteria might reach the deep tissues of carcasses were tested by placing genetically 'marked'strains of Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens or Bacillus thuringiensis on slaughter instruments before use and examining deep tissue samples for their presence post mortem . Bacteria present on the captive bolt pistol were recovered from the spleens of beef cattle and those placed on the pithing rod were found in both spleen and muscle of the flank and neck. Bacteria from the throat cutting ('stick') knife were isolated, on different occasions, from the heart, lung, spleen, liver and kidneys of sheep though rarely from their muscles. Orally administered bacteria were found in the spleen and lung, but not the musculature, of pigs.     

Response to Listeria monocytogenes in mice lacking MHC class Ia molecules

MHC class Ia-deficient mice (H2 Kb-/- Db-/-) inoculated with the intracellular pathogen Listeria monocytogenes (LM) displayed a three- to fourfold expansion of splenic CD8+ T cells 6 days following infection. Culture of these spleen cells in vitro gave rise to CTL that recognized LM-infected target cells and were restricted by the class Ib molecules, Qa1b and M3. Exposure of target cells to heat-killed LM (HKLM) rather than live bacteria did not result in CTL-mediated lysis. Target cells pulsed with three LM peptides known to bind M3, f-MIGWII, f-MIVTLF, and f-MIVIL, were recognized by effector cells from both B6 and Kb-/- Db-/- animals. In vivo analysis showed that B6 and Kb-/- Db-/- mice clear LM from the spleen and liver rapidly with similar kinetics, whereas TAP.1-/- mice, which are deficient in class Ia and Ib molecules, clear LM slowly upon infection. To establish the in vivo role of CD8+ T cells in Kb-/- Db-/- animals, we showed that depletion of such cells from the spleens of immune mice prevented the adoptive transfer of protective immunity to syngeneic recipients. Spleen cells from Kb-/- Db-/- mice were also capable of generating responses directed against syngeneic as well as allogeneic class Ia molecules in vitro. Thus, class Ia-deficient animals have a CD8+ T cell repertoire capable of recognizing both class Ia and class Ib molecules and can generate protective immunity to LM.     

Prevention of 5-fluorouracil-induced infection with indigenous Escherichia coli in tumor-bearing mice by nonspecific immunostimulation.

We have previously reported that the lethal toxicity of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in specific-pathogen-free mice is due to an indigenous infection with Escherichia coli (K. Nomoto, T. Yokokura, Y. Yoshikai, et al. Can. J. Microbiol. 37:244-247, 1991). In the present study, we demonstrate that nonspecific immunostimulation augments host resistance against the lethal toxicity of 5-FU in tumor-bearing mice. Intravenous administration of a preparation of heat-killed Lactobacillus casei (LC 9018), a nonspecific immunostimulant, at a dose of 20 mg/kg to BALB/c mice augmented their resistance against the lethal toxicity of 5-FU if the preparation was injected into the mice 10-40 days before administration of 5-FU. Injection of LC 9018 into BALB/c mice bearing Meth A fibrosarcoma also enhanced their resistance against the lethality of 5-FU. Systemic infection with E. coli was induced in all of the 5-FU-treated tumor-bearing mice 10 days or more after administration of the drug at a lethal dose of 500 mg/kg, and it was accompanied by an overgrowth of the bacteria in the intestine. Treatment of tumor-bearing mice with LC 9018 resulted in decreased rates of occurrence of systemic infection with E. coli and inhibition of overgrowth of the bacteria in the intestine after administration of 5-FU. A single administration of either LC 9018 or 5-FU significantly inhibited the growth of Meth A cells in vivo, and a combined antitumor effect was shown in the mice treated with both 5-FU and LC 9018.     

白芍总苷在正常大鼠体内的组织分布研究

探讨白芍总苷在正常大鼠体内的组织分布特点,为预测其药理作用及不良反应提供依据.正常大鼠按2.82 g/kg灌胃给予TGP药液后1、3、6h取心、肝、脾、肺、肾、胃、小肠、大肠等组织,各组织匀浆后,将匀浆液制成冻干粉,HPLC法测定冻干粉中芍药苷和芍药内酯苷浓度,计算各组织中两者浓度.结果显示1h各组织中均能测到芍药苷和芍药内酯苷,3h除胃和小肠外,其他各组织中两者浓度均达到最大值,小肠、胃、大肠及肾、脾、肝中浓度较高,6h小肠、大肠、胃中浓度较高,其他各组织中浓度较低.说明灌胃TGP后组织分布迅速且广泛,胃、小肠、大肠及肾、脾、肝是主要分布器官,容易在胃肠蓄积,其他组织中蓄积较少,为进一步研究白芍总苷的药理作用及作用机理提供了指导,同时为白芍归经理论提供了一定的现代科学依据.     

不同日龄大白猪视黄酸受体α基因组织表达

研究采用RT-PCR方法对大白猪的视黄酸受体α基因在1日龄、90日龄、180日龄、270日龄和360日龄的心、肝、胃、脾、肾、肺、大肠、小肠、肌肉、子宫、卵巢共11个组织的表达情况进行了研究。结果表明,RARαmRNA在肝、脾、肾、大肠、小肠、子宫和卵巢中持续表达,其中脾、大肠和小肠是持续高表达;180日龄时,所有组织的RARαmRNA的表达量普遍降低;360日龄时,所检的11个组织均高水平表达该基因。     

Studies on a peptidase acting on a synthetic collagenase substrate Developmental pattern in rat granuloma tissue and distribution of enzyme in the tissues of various animals

The developmental pattern in experimental rat granuloma tissue and the distribution in the tissues of a few animals (monkey, rabbit, guinea pig anrat) of a peptidase acting on a synthetic collagenase substrate, 4-phenylazobenzyloxycarbonyl-L-Pro-L-Leu-Gly-L-Pro-D-Arg (Pz-peptide) has been studied. Maximum enzyme activity was found in 4-month-old rats and on the fourth day of implantation of the cotton wick. Pz-peptidase appears to have a ubiquitous distribution in animal tissues; the highest enzyme activity was generally found in liver, intestine and kidney of the animals. The total activity in other organs (spleen, heart, lungs and brain) was much less compared to that of liver, intestine or kidney.