A mouse-adapted SARS-coronavirus causes disease and mortality in BALB/c mice

No single animal model for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) reproduces all aspects of the human disease. Young inbred mice support SARS-coronavirus (SARS-CoV) replication in the respiratory tract and are available in sufficient numbers for statistical evaluation. They are relatively inexpensive and easily accessible, but their use in SARS research is limited because they do not develop illness following infection. Older (12- to 14-mo-old) BALB/c mice develop clinical illness and pneumonitis, but they can be hard to procure, and immune senescence complicates pathogenesis studies. We adapted the SARS-CoV (Urbani strain) by serial passage in the respiratory tract of young BALB/c mice. Fifteen passages resulted in a virus (MA15) that is lethal for mice following intranasal inoculation. Lethality is preceded by rapid and high titer viral replication in lungs, viremia, and dissemination of virus to extrapulmonary sites accompanied by lymphopenia, neutrophilia, and pathological changes in the lungs. Abundant viral antigen is extensively distributed in bronchial epithelial cells and alveolar pneumocytes, and necrotic cellular debris is present in airways and alveoli, with only mild and focal pneumonitis. These observations suggest that mice infected with MA15 die from an overwhelming viral infection with extensive, virally mediated destruction of pneumocytes and ciliated epithelial cells. The MA15 virus has six coding mutations associated with adaptation and increased virulence; when introduced into a recombinant SARS-CoV, these mutations result in a highly virulent and lethal virus (rMA15), duplicating the phenotype of the biologically derived MA15 virus. Intranasal inoculation with MA15 reproduces many aspects of disease seen in severe human cases of SARS. The availability of the MA15 virus will enhance the use of the mouse model for SARS because infection with MA15 causes morbidity, mortality, and pulmonary pathology. This virus will be of value as a stringent challenge in evaluation of the efficacy of vaccines and antivirals.     

Pulmonary immune responses induced in BALB/c mice by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis conidia

Knowledge concerning the host–Paracoccidioides brasiliensis interactions is abundant. Yet, most of the experimental studies have used yeast cells to prepare the corresponding inoculum. As these cells do not represent the naturally infecting propagules, the corresponding experiments by-pass the earlier stages of such interactions. Studies done in patients, who also harbour yeast cells, suffer from the same bias. The review presented below focuses on the immune responses of BALB/c mice infected with conidia obtained from P. brasiliensis mycelial form cultures, the fungal stage most probably existing in nature. As such, the corresponding experiments would copy the onset and course of the human infection. A large number of experimental studies done by the CIB Medical and Experimental Mycology Unit in a period of almost 25 years have been revised and extracted so as to present a comprehensive record on the immune responses induced when mice are infected intranasally with the conidia. The establishment of this mouse model has permitted the analysis of the immune responses taking place during the early and late stages post-challenge. This unique model has made possible to characterize the course of the experimental disease including the inflammatory reaction, the expression of cytokines and of the various molecules associated to these responses, all of which lead to granuloma formation. The latter structure serves as a nest for the development of fibrosis. Thus, we have also obtained a glimpse on the complexity that accompanies the fibrosis, the most common sequelae of paracoccidioidomycosis. Additionally, a concerted effort has been made to appraise the whole gamut of immune factors and related molecules that directly or indirectly, contribute to shape the pathogenesis of this Latin American mycosis.     

季节性流感病毒 H1N1 BALB / c 鼠肺适应株的建立及其分子机制简

目的 建立季节性流感病毒H1N1的鼠肺适应株,并对适应的分子机理进行研究.方法 以病毒滴鼻感染小鼠,通过在BALB/c小鼠肺组织中连续传代,观察小鼠存活情况及肺病理改变,来获得季节性流感病毒H1N1的鼠肺适应株.结果季节性流感H1N1 A/Brisbane/59/2007病毒野生型毒株,经过在小鼠体内进行8次传代后,毒力逐渐增强,从无致病力到致死率达到100%,对鼠肺适应株与野生型毒株进行基因比对,发现适应株HA基因发生了3个有义突变.结论 野生季节性低致病力H1N1流感病毒可经在小鼠中经过多次传代而获得高致病力H1N1鼠肺适应株,HA蛋白89位Thr至Ile的突变对毒力的增强起决定性作用.     

Cytokine production induced by marine algae lectins in BALB/c mice splenocytes

Marine algae can serve as sources of bioactive compounds and currently have been shown their potential biological and pharmaceutical applications. Marine algae lectins have been shown to be effective at controlling inflammatory processes. This work aimed to analyze the immunostimulatory properties of lectins from the marine algae Solieria filiformis (SfL), Pterocladiella capillacea (PcL) and Caulerpa cupressoides (CcL). This analysis was performed on BALB/c mouse splenocytes by measuring cytokine and nitric oxide production and cellular damage using tests of cytotoxicity and cell viability. These lectins were not cytotoxic (1-100 μg/mL), and were not able to induce IFN-γ and IL-2 production. IL- 10 production was induced at high levels by all lectins tested. Treatment with SfL induced IL-6 production at higher levels at all experimental times, whereas treatment with PcL and CcL induced higher levels only in 24 and 72 h. Treatment with SfL did not result in nitrite oxide production, whereas treatment with PcL or CcL was able to induce nitrite release at high levels (after 24, 48 and 72 h). Lesser cellular damage (5%) was observed in splenocytes treated with these lectins (10 μg/mL). Thus, the lectins from these algae were not cytotoxic, promoted increased in cell viability and induced Th2 immune responses in mouse splenocytes, indicating that they have anti-inflammatory effects.     

Hydrogen protects mice from radiation induced thymic lymphoma in BALB/c mice

Ionizing radiation (IR) is a well-known carcinogen, however the mechanism of radiation induced thymic lymphoma is not well known. Moreover, an easy and effective method to protect mice from radiation induced thymic lymphoma is still unknown. Hydrogen, or H(2), is seldom regarded as an important agent in medical usage, especially as a therapeutic gas. Here in this study, we found that H(2) protects mice from radiation induced thymic lymphoma in BALB/c mice.     

Humoral immune responses induced by Gymnorhynchus gigas extracts in BALB/c mice.

The aim of this study was to determine if the plerocercoid larvae of Gymnorhynchus gigas, a common cestode of the ray's bream (Brama raii), possess antigenic compounds potentially capable of provoking anaphylactic episodes. A murine experimental model, using BALB/c mice, was developed to study the humoral immune response induced by G. gigas extracts. A highly specific humoral immune response was detected and cross-reactions were not observed between parasite and host antigens. The presence of IgM and IgG3 levels suggest the presence of thymus-independent antigens in the parasitic extract. The IgG antibody class showed the highest levels, with the IgG1 the predominant subclass. These IgG1 levels are in accordance with the supposed presence of a type I allergic reaction after the ingestion of G. gigas plerocercoids parasitizing fish, as well as inducing anaphylaxia in fish. These results indicate that somatic products released from ingested larvae of G. gigas could induce the development of a Th2 response capable of causing allergic disorders.     

Susceptibility dynamics in neonatal BALB/c mice infected with Cryptosporidium parvum.

BALB/c Mice were infected as neonates and at different ages to study the susceptibility dynamics in this animal model to Cryptosporidium parvum. When 4-day-old animals were infected with 10(5) C. parvum oocysts, parasites were detected in the terminal ileum when the mice became 14-25 days old (10-21 days post-infection [PI]). The percentage of animals positive for parasites was 100% up to the age of 19 days (15 days PI) but decreased immediately thereafter until no parasites were detected in 26-day-old (22 days PI) or older mice. Parasite load also decreased in these animals from 184.7 parasites per high power field in 14-day-old animals (10 days PI) to 0.22 in 25-day-old (21 days PI) mice. In a second study, some neonatal mice became resistant to C. parvum when infection was attempted at day-10 of age (day-15 of age at sacrifice). The susceptibility to C. parvum decreased until 14 days of age (19 days of age at sacrifice) when mice could no longer be infected. Parasite load also decreased in infected mice from 235.6 parasites per high power field (9 days of age at sacrifice) to 0.25 (18 days of age at sacrifice).     

EV71与CA16双价灭活疫苗诱导小鼠免疫原性研究

目的评价EV71和CA16双价灭活疫苗免疫小鼠诱导的体液免疫和细胞免疫应答。方法分别应用EV71和CA16双价疫苗、EV71和CA16单价疫苗按单针、两针(0,14 d)的程序免疫小鼠,采用细胞病变法检测血清第1针免疫后21 d时中和抗体效价,应用LUMINEX液相芯片技术检测小鼠脾单个核细胞体外经抗原刺激分泌细胞因子的水平。结果双价疫苗与EV71单价疫苗单针、两针免疫相比,EV71中和抗体几何平均值相近(118.8∶84.0;159.5∶156.8,P0.05)。双价疫苗与CA16单价疫苗单针免疫诱导的CA16中和抗体均为阴性;两针免疫CA16中和抗体几何平均值一致(30.0∶26.9,P0.05)。加强免疫7 d后,小鼠脾MNC经EV71抗原刺激,双价疫苗较EV71单价疫苗诱导Th2类细胞因子IL-4、5、6、10和炎症因子TNF-α的分泌水平显著增高(P=0.020,P=0.027,P=0.038,P=0.019,P=0.026);MNC经CA16抗原刺激,双价疫苗与CA16单价疫苗相比诱导细胞因子水平差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论双价疫苗可诱导与单价疫苗相似的中和抗体应答水平,并可提高Th2类细胞因子应答,研究为EV71和CA16双价灭活疫苗的研发提供了实验依据。     

Thymus involution induced by mouse hepatitis virus A59 in BALB/c mice.

Mouse hepatitis virus A59 (MHV-A59) infection of adult BALB/c mice induced a severe, transient atrophy of the thymus. The effect was maximal at 1 week after infection, and thymuses returned to normal size by 2 weeks after infection. There was no effect of glucocorticoids, since thymus atrophy was also found in adrenalectomized, infected mice. In infected thymus, immature CD4+ CD8+ lymphocytes were selectively depleted, and apoptosis of lymphocytes was increased. The MHV receptor glycoprotein MHVR was detected on thymus epithelial cells but not on T lymphocytes. In a small number of stromal epithelial cells, but in very few lymphocytes, the viral genome was detectable by in situ hybridization. These observations suggested that MHV-A59-induced thymic atrophy results not from a generalized lytic infection of T lymphocytes but rather from apoptosis of immature double-positive T cells that might be caused by infection of a small proportion of thymus epithelial cells or from inappropriate secretion of some factor, such as a cytokine.     

Hematologic disease induced in BALB/c mice by a bcr-abl retrovirus is influenced by the infection conditions.

Irradiated mice reconstituted with bone marrow cells infected with a retrovirus carrying the bcr-abl oncogene of human chronic myeloid leukemia are subject to a range of neoplastic hematopoietic diseases, both myeloid and lymphoid. Comparison of DBA/2 and C57BL/6 mice has revealed a marked strain difference in susceptibility to the various tumor types. The present study, performed with BALB/c mice, indicates that the kinetics and nature of the induced disease can be modulated by the infection procedure, as well as the genetic background, and that retroviral regulatory sequences may influence the outcome. A distinctive clonal myeloproliferative disorder, somewhat akin to chronic myeloid leukemia but with prominent erythroid and mast cell components, as well as granulocytic excess, was characterized.     

Analgesia induced by N-acetylserotonin in the central nervous system

The relationship between N-acetylserotonin (NAS) in the central nervous system (CNS) and responses to pain was investigated. Using the rat tail-flick model, we initially replicated the work of others showing that intraventricular (IVC) injection of a dipeptide structurally similar to both NAS and serotonin was capable of inducing analgesia in the rat. We then showed that IVC-NAS, but not serotonin elicited analgesia in much the same manner as the dipeptide. This effect proved to be very specific as it required the presence of both an acetyl group on the terminal side chain amine as well as a hydroxyl group on the C-5 position of the indole ring. Substitution of the C-5 hydroxyl by a methoxyl group (melatonin) abolished the analgesic effect. Similarly, removing the N-acetyl substitution (serotonin) also eliminated the analgesia. IVC injection of highly specific antiserum to NAS induced hyperalgesia. Furthermore, an interaction was found between NAS and opiate systems. We demonstrated that while naloxone, the opiate antagonist, has no hyperalgesic properties of itself, it did counteract the analgesia induced by NAS. Similarly, NAS antiserum reversed the analgesia induced by the opiate morphine. This work provides evidence that NAS is an endogenously active substance within the CNS pain network.     

Mechanisms underlying induced autoresuscitation failure in BALB/c and SWR mice.

Mechanisms underlying failure of autoresuscitation from hypoxic apnea were investigated. Failure was induced by repeated exposure to hypoxia. The influence of maturation was studied in adults, weanlings, and 10- and 5-day-old mice. Mice successful at autoresuscitation (BALB/c) as well as those prone to autoresuscitation failure (SWR weanlings) were studied. Hypoxic apnea was induced with 97% N2-3% CO2, and 21% O2 was given at its onset; electrocardiogram and ventilation were recorded. Hypoxic exposure was repeated if autoresuscitation (recovery of eupnea) occurred. Autoresuscitation failure (death) was induced in all mice. Young BALB/c mice tolerated more trials than older mice. SWR weanlings frequently failed to autoresuscitate on the initial exposure and tolerated fewer repeat trials overall than age-matched BALB/c mice. Induced autoresuscitation failure in all mice appeared to be unrelated to gasping regulation, because both gasp number and amplitude were similar during the failed trial and the previous successful trial. In most mice, failure was associated with absent recovery of heart rate during gasping. In BALB/c mice in particular, this persistent bradycardia was usually due to heart block, which occurred in 95% of failed trials. In addition, heart block occurred with increasing frequency on later successful trials, but conversion to sinus rhythm always preceded successful autoresuscitation. Heart block was also frequent in SWR mice and had similar consequences. BALB/c mice exposed to continuous anoxia survived longer than SWR mice, indicating increased endurance of components of the autoresuscitation mechanism not directly related to the ventilatory function of gasping (e.g., cardiovascular components).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Protective immunity against Leishmania major induced by Leishmania tropica infection of BALB/c mice

Leishmania (L.) tropica is a causative agent of human cutaneous and viscerotropic leishmaniasis. Immune response to L. tropica in humans and experimental animals are not well understood. We previously established that L. tropica infection induces partial protective immunity against subsequent challenge infection with Leishmania major in BALB/c mice. Aim of the present study was to study immunologic mechanisms of protective immunity induced by L. tropica infection, as a live parasite vaccine, in BALB/c mouse model. Mice were infected by L. tropica, and after establishment of the infection, they were challenged by L. major. Our findings shows that L. tropica infection resulted in protection against L. major challenge in BALB/c mice and this protective immunity is associated with: (1) a DTH response, (2) higher IFN-γ and lower IL-10 response at one week post-challenge, (3) lower percentage of CD4⁺ lymphocyte at one month post-challenge, and (4) the source of IFN-γ and IL-10 were mainly CD4⁻ lymphocyte up to one month post-challenge suggesting that CD4⁻ lymphocytes may be responsible for protection induced by L. tropica infection in the studied intervals.     

Defect of the cerebellar vermis induced by prenatal gamma-ray irradiation in radiosensitive BALB/c mice

The developing fetal brain is one of the most susceptible organs to irradiation insult. Prenatal irradiation-induced abnormalities in the cerebrum have been well examined in mouse fetuses. However, little information on abnormalities in the cerebellum caused by irradiation is available. Moreover, few reports have examined the chronological changes of the brain from the prenatal to the postnatal period. To analyze the chronological changes induced by irradiation, we exposed pregnant mice to gamma-ray irradiation on embryonic day 13.5 (E13.5) and investigated the histopathology of the cerebellum at several time points from E14.5 to postnatal day 28. BALB/cA mice were used, which is a radiosensitive strain, and C57BL/6J, which is a radioresistant strain. The irradiated BALB/c showed a remarkable vermis deficit after birth, and histological analysis demonstrated that there were severe losses of the external germinal layer (EGL) and Purkinke cell layer. TUNEL analysis shoed that apoptosis was strongly induce in the cerebellar anlage of the irradiated BALB/c compared to the C57BL/6J at E14.5. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a significant decrease of phospho-histone H3 positive EGL cells in the irradiated BALB/c at E18.5 and E0, indicating that irradiation causes a decrease in the number of mitotic cells. The results suggest that the strong induction of apoptosis in radiosensitive BALB/c led to a decrease of proliferation activity in the cerebellar anlage during embryonic development, and consequently, severe cerebellar abnormality was evoked.     

Establishment and application of a lethal model of an HRSV-long variant strain in BALB/c mice

Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is a major cause of lower respiratory tract infection in infants. The lack of ideal animal models is one of the major obstacles in evaluateing the efficacy of HRSV vaccines. In this study, HRSV-50 was obtained from Hep-2 cells at the 50th passage of the original Long strain (ATCC VR-26). BALB/c mice (6 weeks) were challenged with different titers of HRSV-50. Shockingly, all mice died after 4 days of challenge (6 × 10⁶ PFU/mouse). Whole-genome sequencing revealed 7 amino acid mutations compared with the original Long strain. To verify whether the lethal model can be used to effectively evaluate the efficacy of HRSV candidate vaccines, we studied the protective effect of FRBD protein (Pre-F of HRSV and S receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-2) with Adju-phos or MA103 adjuvant. All mice in the PBS group died after the HRSV-50 challenge, whereas Adju-phos provided partial protection. These results suggest that we have successfully established a lethal model of HRSV in BALB/c mice.     

Pulmonary biocompatibility assessment of inhaled single-wall and multiwall carbon nanotubes in BALB/c mice

With the widespread application of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in diverse commercial processes, scientists are now concerned about the potential health risk of occupational exposures. In this study, CNT-induced pulmonary toxicity was investigated by exposing BALB/c mice to aerosolized single-wall (SW) CNT and multiwall (MW) CNT (5 μg/g of mice) for 7 consecutive days in a nose-only exposure system. Microscopic studies showed that inhaled CNTs were homogeneously distributed in the mouse lung. The total number of bronchoalveolar lavage polymorphonuclear leukocytes recovered from the mice exposed to SWCNT and MWCNT (1.2 × 10(6) ± 0.52 and 9.87 × 10(5) ± 1.45; respectively) was significantly greater than control mice (5.46 × 10(5) ± 0.78). Rapid development of pulmonary fibrosis in mice that inhaled CNT was also confirmed by significant increases in the collagen level. The lactate dehydrogenase levels were increased nearly 2- and 2.4-fold in mice that inhaled SWCNT and MWCNT, respectively, as compared with control mice. In addition, exposure of CNTs to mice showed a significant (p < 0.05) reduction of antioxidants (glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase) and induction of oxidants (myloperoxidase, oxidative stress, and lipid peroxidation) compared with control. Apoptosis-related proteins such as caspase-3 and -8 activities were also significantly increased in mice that inhaled CNT than in control mice. Together, this study shows that inhaled CNTs induce inflammation, fibrosis, alteration of oxidant and antioxidant levels, and induction of apoptosis-related proteins in the lung tissues to trigger cell death.     

Structural changes in the central nervous system induced by a constant magnetic field

The effect of the permanent magnetic field (PMF) on the brain cortex of rats has been assessed. The study was performed on neurons, astrocytes and synapses of post- and precentral brain cortical zones. CNS sensitivity to PMF was determined. When the animals were exposed to PMF once or 15 times the changes in microstructures were of compensatory-adaptive character, indicative of the enhancement in their functional activity. When the animals were exposed to PMF 30 times, dystrophic changes underlying the impairment of CNS functional activity developed, 10 days after the exposure to PMF was discontinued regenerative intracellular processes were revealed.