Murine Mammary Tumor Virus Expression During Mammary Tumorigenesis in BALB/c Mice

Steady-state levels of murine mammary tumor virus (MuMTV) RNA were quantitated during mammary tumorigenesis in BALB/c mice by molecular hybridization with a representative MuMTV complementary DNA (cDNA) probe. Hyperplastic alveolar nodule (HAN) lines are preneoplastic mammary lesions that were induced in BALB/c mice by hormones alone or in combination with 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene and give rise to mammary tumors. The hormone-induced HAN lines D1 and D2 contained detectable amounts of hybridizable MuMTV sequences. MuMTV RNA sequences were also observed in five of the six transplanted BALB/c mammary tumors that were examined. Similar levels of hybridizable MuMTV RNA were observed between the D1 or D2 HAN line and mammary tumors derived from each HAN line. The D2 HAN line as well as D2, C4, and CD8 mammary tumors accumulated RNA that was apparently homologous to most of the MuMTV genome. Thermal denaturation of hybrids indicated extensive sequence homology between the MuMTV cDNA and hybridizable RNA in the BALB/c HAN lines and mammary tumors. A low level of type C viral RNA was observed in the BALB/c HAN lines and most mammary tumors by molecular hybridization with a cDNA to Moloney murine leukemia virus. These data demonstrate that MuMTV sequences are frequently expressed in hormone-induced BALB/c HAN lines and mammary tumors derived from HAN lines or ductal hyperplasias induced in BALB/c mice by hormones and/or a chemical carcinogen. The transition from the preneoplastic to the neoplastic state in BALB/c mice does not appear to be due to a change in the steady-state levels of MuMTV RNA since the hormone-induced HAN lines and mammary tumors had similar levels of hybridizable MuMTV RNA.     

T Cell Epitope Mapping of the E-Protein of West Nile Virus in BALB/c Mice

West Nile virus (WNV) is a zoonotic virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes. It is the causative agent of the disease syndrome called West Nile fever. In some human cases, a WNV infection can be associated with severe neurological symptoms. The immune response to WNV is multifactorial and includes both humoral and cellular immunity. T-cell epitope mapping of the WNV envelope (E) protein has been performed in C57BL/6 mice, but not in BALB/c mice. Therefore, we performed in BALB/c mice a T-cell epitope mapping using a series of peptides spanning the WNV envelope (E) protein. To this end, the WNV-E specific T cell repertoire was first expanded by vaccinating BALB/c mice with a DNA vaccine that generates subviral particles that resemble West Nile virus. Furthermore, the WNV structural protein was expressed in Escherichia coli as a series of overlapping 20-mer peptides fused to a carrier-protein. Cytokine-based ELISPOT assays using these purified peptides revealed positive WNV-specific T cell responses to peptides within the different domains of the E-protein.     

鼠巨细胞病毒感染裸鼠肝脏损伤模型的建立

摘要 目的：建立鼠巨细胞病毒（MCMV）感染BALB/c裸鼠肝脏损伤的模型。方法：健康SPF级BALB/c裸鼠10只随机分为实验组和对照组,每组5只。实验组小鼠每只经腹腔注射接种250 μL MCMV 病毒悬液,对照组小鼠每只腹腔接种250 μL DMEM 培养液,于接种后第7天处死,无菌分离其肝脏,通过测定肝组织谷丙转氨酶（ALT）、实时荧光定量PCR检测MCMV DNA拷贝数、苏木精-伊红（HE）染色等方法,观察裸鼠肝脏组织的受损情况。结果：所有实验组的裸鼠均出现了不同程度的腹水;实验组裸鼠测定的肝组织ALT值较对照组明显上升（P<0.05）;实时荧光定量PCR检测出实验组裸鼠肝脏MCMV DNA呈阳性;实验组肝脏病理切片HE染色可见大量炎症细胞浸润,肝细胞嗜酸性变,可见不规则包涵体,而对照组正常。结论：经腹腔注射250 μL MCMV病毒悬液7天后成功构建了裸鼠肝脏损伤的模型,为探究人巨细胞病毒（HCMV）的发病机制以及抗病毒新药和疫苗的研发提供了有利条件。     

Newcastle Disease Virus-Like Particles Containing Respiratory Syncytial Virus G Protein Induced Protection in BALB/c Mice,with No Evidence of Immunopathology

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of serious respiratory infections in children as well as a serious cause of disease in elderly and immunosuppressed populations. There are no licensed vaccines available to prevent RSV disease. We have developed a virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine candidate for protection from RSV. The VLP is composed of the NP and M proteins of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and a chimeric protein containing the cytoplasmic and transmembrane domains of the NDV HN protein and the ectodomain of the human RSV G protein (H/G). Immunization of mice with 10 or 40 μg total VLP-H/G protein by intraperitoneal or intramuscular inoculation stimulated antibody responses to G protein which were as good as or better than those stimulated by comparable amounts of UV-inactivated RSV. Immunization of mice with two doses or even a single dose of these particles resulted in the complete protection of mice from RSV replication in the lungs. Immunization with these particles induced neutralizing antibodies with modest titers. Upon RSV challenge of VLP-H/G-immunized mice, no enhanced pathology in the lungs was observed, although lungs of mice immunized in parallel with formalin-inactivated RSV (FI-RSV) showed the significant pathology that has previously been documented after immunization with FI-RSV. Thus, the VLP-H/G candidate vaccine was immunogenic in BALB/c mice and prevented replication of RSV in murine lungs, with no evidence of immunopathology. These data support further development of virus-like particle vaccine candidates for protection against RSV.Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a member of the Paramyxoviridae family, is the primary cause of serious lower respiratory tract infections in infants and young children and is an important pathogen in elderly and immunocompromised populations worldwide (15, 16, 23, 42). RSV infections can induce a wide spectrum of respiratory diseases, ranging from common cold-like symptoms to more serious disease, such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia (16, 57). Despite the significance of this pathogen, no vaccine is available. Strategies utilizing traditional subunit vaccines or attenuated virus preparations as well as live virus vectors and DNA vaccines have not resulted in a licensed vaccine (reviewed in reference 42). Complicating RSV vaccine development are previous vaccine trials of a formalin-inactivated vaccine (FI-RSV), which predisposed infants to more severe disease upon natural exposure to live virus. These studies have raised concerns about the safety of all subsequently developed RSV vaccines (reviewed in references 15 and 42).Both soluble and cell-mediated immune responses have been proposed to be important for protection from RSV infections (3, 13-15, 29, 42, 67). The RSV F protein, one of the two major antigens expressed on virion surfaces (15), is thought to be the most important target of neutralizing and protective antibodies (15, 25, 72). Indeed, monoclonal antibodies specific for the RSV F protein are used clinically for RSV disease prophylaxis in high-risk infants (4, 61). The F protein is also a major target of CD8 T cells in mice (12), but the association between cell-mediated immunity and protection from RSV disease has not been established (62). The role of the G protein, the other major antigen on virion surfaces, in stimulating protective immune responses is less clear, although it is thought that antibodies to this molecule do have a role in protection (54, 68). No CD8 T-cell epitopes have been reported for this protein. The G protein is unlike other paramyxovirus glycoproteins. Its ectodomain is heavily glycosylated by N-linked and, primarily, O-linked carbohydrates (77). The estimated 24 or 25 O-linked carbohydrate side chains and 4 N-linked side chains increase the molecular mass of the protein, as synthesized in Vero cells, from 32.5 kDa to approximately 90 kDa (15, 16). This extensive glycosylation may help to mask the underlying polypeptide backbone from immune recognition (15).A previous RSV vaccine, FI-RSV, resulted not in protection but in disease enhancement upon subsequent live virus infection (37, 38). Many subsequent studies have attempted to define the reasons for this response. These studies have consistently shown that enhanced disease is characterized by unbalanced Th2-biased cytokine responses, weak CD8 T-cell responses, pronounced eosinophilia, and induction of low-affinity and nonneutralizing antibodies (20, 21, 63, 64, 75). It is less clear which precise properties of the FI-RSV vaccine led to these results (reviewed in reference 42). The absence of these characteristics of enhanced disease is now one of the benchmarks for development of a successful RSV vaccine. Thus far, no vaccine approach reported has resulted in both the absence of enhanced disease upon RSV challenge and adequate, long-lasting protective responses in animal models (42).A virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine strategy has not been reported for RSV. VLPs are large particles, the size of viruses, composed of repeating structural arrays on their surfaces and in their cores, and these structures mimic those of infectious viruses (reviewed in references 36 and 56). VLPs are formed by the assembly of the structural proteins and lipids into particles, but without the incorporation of the viral genome. Thus, VLPs are incapable of the multiple rounds of infection typical of an infectious virus, yet they retain the superb antigenicity of virus particles. Native viral antigens arrayed on VLP surfaces and in their cores likely contribute to potent humoral responses, CD4 T-cell proliferation, and expansion of cytotoxic CD8 T cells, unlike less immunogenic subunit vaccines, which are often comprised of individual purified viral proteins (9-11, 27, 41, 43, 66, 70). The potential of VLPs as safe, effective vaccines for viral disease is increasingly being recognized. Indeed, two VLP vaccines are now licensed for use in humans, namely, the papillomavirus vaccine and the hepatitis B virus vaccine, and a number of other VLP vaccines are being evaluated in preclinical and clinical trials (reviewed in reference 36). Therefore, VLPs expressing one or both RSV glycoproteins may be an attractive strategy for designing an effective RSV vaccine.There is only one report of VLPs formed with RSV proteins (73). These particles have not been well characterized, nor is their efficiency of release known. Furthermore, their detection requires incorporation of a minigenome. However, we have previously reported that the expression of the four major structural proteins of Newcastle disease virus (NDV), an avian paramyxovirus, results in the very efficient release of particles that structurally and functionally resemble virus particles (60; L. W. McGinnes et al., unpublished data). Furthermore, we have found that these particles (ND VLPs) stimulate potent anti-NDV immune responses in mice, including neutralizing antibody responses (McGinnes et al., unpublished data). These results led us to test the hypothesis that ND VLPs could serve as a platform for the expression of antigens from human viruses, including RSV G and F proteins, and that these particles could serve as an effective RSV vaccine.In this study, we report that the ectodomain of the RSV G protein, fused to the cytoplasmic tail (CT) and the transmembrane (TM) domain of the NDV hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) protein, can be incorporated efficiently into VLPs containing the NDV NP and M proteins and that these particles can be prepared quantitatively and used as an immunogen. We demonstrate that immunization with these particles stimulated robust soluble immune responses. Furthermore, these particles conferred protection in BALB/c mice, characterized by increased viral clearance in lung tissue, after live RSV challenge. Importantly, infectious RSV challenge of mice following VLP-H/G immunization did not result in the enhanced lung pathology typified by FI-RSV immunization (17, 18, 55).     

Effect of Helper Virus on the Number of Murine Sarcoma Virus DNA Copies in Infected Mammalian Cells

Cell lines of four mammalian species were each examined for the number of Moloney murine sarcoma virus (M-MSV) DNA copies in total cellular DNA after M-MSV transformation. Sarcoma-positive, leukemia-negative (S+L-) M-MSV-transformed cells were compared to M-MSV-transformed cells infected with a replicating leukemia virus. Both unfractionated M-MSV complementary DNA and complementary DNA representing the MSV-specific and the MSV-murine leukemia virus-common regions of the M-MSV genome were hybridized to total cellular DNA of various species. DNAs of mouse, cat, dog, and human S+L-cells contained from less than one to a few proviral M-MSV DNA copies per haploid genome. In contrast, helper virus-coinfected, M-MSV-producing cells of each species showed a 3- to 10-fold increase in M-MSV proviral DNA over that found in corresponding S+L- cells. MSV-specific and MSV-murine leukemia virus-common nucleotide sequences were each increased to a similar degree. A corresponding examination of cellular DNA of leukemia virus-infected normal or S+L- mammalian cells was performed to establish the resulting number of leukemia proviral DNA copies. The infection of normal or S+L- mammalian cells with several leukemia-type viruses that did not have nucleotide sequences closely related to the cell before infection resulted in the appearance of one to three corresponding leukemia proviral DNA copies.     

Decrease in Formalin-Inactivated Respiratory Syncytial Virus (FI-RSV) Enhanced Disease with RSV G Glycoprotein Peptide Immunization in BALB/c Mice

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a high priority target for vaccine development. One concern in RSV vaccine development is that a non-live virus vaccine would predispose for enhanced disease similar to that seen with the formalin inactivated RSV (FI-RSV) vaccine. Since a mAb specific to RSV G protein can reduce pulmonary inflammation and eosinophilia seen after RSV infection of FI-RSV vaccinated mice, we hypothesized that RSV G peptides that induce antibodies with similar reactivity may limit enhanced disease after subunit or other non-live RSV vaccines. In support of this hypothesis, we show that FI-RSV vaccinated mice administered RSV G peptide vaccines had a significant reduction in enhanced disease after RSV challenge. These data support the importance of RSV G during infection to RSV disease pathogenesis and suggest that use of appropriately designed G peptide vaccines to reduce the risk of enhanced disease with non-live RSV vaccines merits further study.     

Irradiated Compared with Nonirradiated NSG Mice for the Development of a Human B-Cell Lymphoma Model

NOD.Cg-Prkdc^scid Il2rg^tm1Wjl/SzJ (NSG) mice are a superior strain for the engraftment of human tumors, as they provide an ideal model to explore the potency, toxicity, and dosage of therapeutic drugs. Although whole-body nonlethal irradiation is often performed to enhance engraftment, the need for irradiation to establish a human B-cell lymphoma model using the NSG strain has not been addressed. In the current study, a mouse model of B-cell lymphoma was established by intravenous injection of human B-cell lymphoma Z138 cells into mice with and without irradiation. Tumor development, signs of engraftment, survivability of engrafted mice, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry were evaluated. Potential sex-associated variations in the model were assessed also. Irradiation of NSG mice did not enhance tumor cell engraftment, and nonirradiated animals had increased survivability. Mice with irradiation survived for a median of 27 d before being euthanized due to signs of morbidity, whereas those without irradiation had a median survival of 35 d. Both irradiated and nonirradiated mice were normal in activity until 3 wk after the injection of cells. At that time, the mice started to show signs of lymphoma including ruffled fur, decreased activity, and hindlimb paralysis. There were no significant differences in evaluated parameters between male and female mice. Therefore, we conclude that a model of B-cell lymphoma can successfully be established by using Z138 cells in nonirradiated male and female NSG mice.Abbreviations: NHL, nonHodgkin lymphoma; NSG, NOD.Cg-Prkdc^scid Il2rg^tm1Wjl/SzJThe National Cancer Institute defines nonHodgkin lymphoma (NHL) as cancer of lymphocytes, and it affects various organs of the immune system, including lymph nodes, spleen, and bone marrow. The several different forms of NHL include slow-progressing, fast-progressing, B-cell, and T-cell types.⁶ Mantle cell lymphoma is a rare type of aggressive B-cell lymphoma (occurring in about 6% of lymphoma patients in the United States²) and is extremely difficult to treat. Patients with mantle cell lymphoma are treated with chemotherapeutic drugs, radiotherapy and transplantation of bone marrow,⁷ but the lymphoma relapses after 3 to 4 y in nearly 50% of the patients.⁴ Therefore, it is essential to develop strategies for enhancing the therapeutic options in patients with B-cell lymphoma and specific drugs that can cure the disease or prevent its relapse. Because animal experiments enable the preclinical testing of promising therapeutics for subsequent evaluation in humans, the development of an appropriate animal model is crucial.Mice engrafted with human tumors act as a model for testing various therapeutic drugs for their potency, toxicity, and dosing.¹ Severe immunodeficient mice (SCID) mice have widely been used to disseminate tumor cells in vivo,¹³ where the cells are engrafted via intravenous injection.^10,24 These mice have been used to develop a mouse model for human Burkitt lymphoma (a type of B-cell lymphoma) by using the Daudi cell line or SU-DHL-4 cells.²³ In these experiments, hindlimb paralysis and solid tumor development were observed as characteristic signs of lymphoma in the engrafted mice.^9,23 Whereas one group observed hindlimb paralysis even without irradiation of mice, the other did not see this development in any of their nonirradiated animals.²³ However, irradiation altered the pattern of tumor growth and the animals’ responses to various chemotherapeutic drugs. It also led to variations in the animals’ immune status in general and made them more susceptible to thyomas.²³ Therefore, whether to irradiate mice prior to the injection of B-cell lymphoma cells has been a topic of debate.The development of NOD.Cg-Prkdc^scid Il2rg^tm1Wjl/SzJ (NSG) mice has provided a valuable tool for the development of a B-cell lymphoma model, because they lack mature B and T cells and various cytokines such as IL2, 4, 7, 9, 15, and 21, leading to impaired development of NK cells.^14,20 Some studies have shown that irradiating mice prior to the injection of various tumor cells enhances the engraftment and growth rate of the tumor,^3,21 but immunocompromised mice, especially NSG mice, are known to be sensitive to irradiation and subsequently may manifest increased morbidity and mortality.¹² In addition, the irradiation process can cause considerable distress in mice, and many institutions and IACUC require close monitoring and special care of mice after irradiation.¹⁶ In our lab, mice routinely are provided with nutritional and fluid supplements and are placed on heating pads after irradiation, to prevent dehydration and death. Given irradiation''s potential negative effect on animal health and the irradiation-associated variations reported in similar animal models, the elimination of irradiation may yield a less stressful and more reliable model for NHL.The objective of the current study was to compare irradiated and nonirradiated NSG mice as a model for a specific type of B-cell NHL, mantle cell lymphoma. We evaluated engraftment, the development of clinical signs, and survival and potential sex-associated differences in each of those parameters in both irradiated and nonirradiated NSG mice injected with Z138 (mantle cell lymphoma) cells.     

Induction of experimental autoimmune Graves' disease in BALB/c mice.

We immunized BALB/c mice with M12 cells (H-2d) expressing either mouse (mM12 cells) or human thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) (hM12 cells). Immunized mice developed autoantibodies to native TSHR by day 90 and, by day 180, showed considerable stimulatory Ab activity as measured by their ability to enhance cAMP production (ranging from 6. 52 to 20.83 pmol/ml in different treatment groups relative to 1.83 pmol/ml for controls) by TSHR-expressing Chinese hamster ovary cells. These mice developed severe hyperthyroidism with significant elevations in both tetraiodothyronine and triiodothyronine hormones. Tetraiodothyronine levels in different experimental groups ranged from a mean of 8.66-12.4 microg/dl, relative to 4.8 microg/dl in controls. Similarly, mean triiodothyronine values ranged from 156.18 to 195.13 ng/dl, relative to 34.99 ng/dl for controls. Next, we immunized BALB/c mice with a soluble extracellular domain of human TSHR (TBP), or TBP expressed on human embryonic kidney cells (293 cells) (293-TBP cells). These mice showed severe hyperthyroidism in a manner very similar to that described above for mice immunized with the mouse TSHR or human TSHR, and exhibited significant weight loss, with average weight for treatment groups ranging from 20.6 to 21.67 g, while controls weighed 24.2 g. Early after onset of the disease, histopathological examination of thyroids showed enlargement of colloids and thinning of epithelial cells without inflammation. However, later during disease, focal necrosis and lymphocytic infiltration were apparent. Our results showed that conformationally intact ectodomain of TSHR is sufficient for disease induction. Availability of a reproducible model in which 100% of the animals develop disease should facilitate studies aimed at understanding the molecular pathogenesis of Graves' disease.     

Partial Transcription of Murine Type C Viral Genomes in BALB/c Cell Lines

The mouse cell line, BALB/c 3T3, and its derivatives transformed either spontaneously or by treatment with a variety of external agents, were analyzed for cytoplasmic RNA complementary to DNA products prepared from the Kirsten strain of murine sarcoma-leukemia virus, and from an endogenous type C virus of BALB/c 3T3. Although none of these cell lines spontaneously releases complete type C virions, they all contain RNA which is partially homologous to a portion of the 35S RNA isolated from these viruses. The parental cell line, BALB/c 3T3, contains a low level of viral-related RNA, and there is an increased amount of this RNA in some of the transformed cells. The RNA detected represents only a fraction of the viral RNA found in virus-producing cells. The formation of RNA:DNA hybrids was detected by equilibrium centrifugation in Cs(2)SO(4) density gradients and by analysis with a single-strand-specific nuclease from Aspergillus oryzae. Viral DNA products prepared either from an endogenous reaction with whole virus in the presence of actinomycin D or from purified 70S viral RNA as template using avian myeloblastosis virus DNA polymerase yield comparable data. In addition, all of the BALB/c lines examined produce detectable levels of murine type C virus group-specific antigen.     

Regulation of Leishmania (L.) amazonensis Protein Expression by Host T Cell Dependent Responses: Differential Expression of Oligopeptidase B,Tryparedoxin Peroxidase and HSP70 Isoforms in Amastigotes Isolated from BALB/c and BALB/c Nude Mice

Leishmaniasis is an important disease that affects 12 million people in 88 countries, with 2 million new cases every year. Leishmania amazonensis is an important agent in Brazil, leading to clinical forms varying from localized (LCL) to diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL). One interesting issue rarely analyzed is how host immune response affects Leishmania phenotype and virulence. Aiming to study the effect of host immune system on Leishmania proteins we compared proteomes of amastigotes isolated from BALB/c and BALB/c nude mice. The athymic nude mice may resemble patients with diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis, considered T-cell hyposensitive or anergic to Leishmania´s antigens. This work is the first to compare modifications in amastigotes’ proteomes driven by host immune response. Among the 44 differentially expressed spots, there were proteins related to oxidative/nitrosative stress and proteases. Some correspond to known Leishmania virulence factors such as OPB and tryparedoxin peroxidase. Specific isoforms of these two proteins were increased in parasites from nude mice, suggesting that T cells probably restrain their posttranslational modifications in BALB/c mice. On the other hand, an isoform of HSP70 was increased in amastigotes from BALB/c mice. We believe our study may allow identification of potential virulence factors and ways of regulating their expression.     

四种抗菌药物对BALB/c小鼠肠菌群的影响

本文给普通BALB/c小鼠口服红霉素、链霉素、新霉素和甲硝哒唑,以探讨同一实验条件下,该4种药代动力学特性各异的每种抗菌药物在不同给药剂量及不同用药时间对BALB/c小鼠肠菌群的影响。结果表明:除甲硝哒唑外,其他3种抗菌药当剂量达到或超过一定水平时对肠菌群均有明显影响。红霉素对肠菌群的影响表现在肠杆菌科细菌、拟杆菌显著减少,葡萄球菌、双歧杆菌减少,肠球菌增多。肠菌群的显著性变化在A组(10000mg/kg体重每日)出现在用药后第3天,B组(4000mg/kg体重每日)出现在第7天。链霉素与新霉素引起肠菌群相似的改变,只是新霉素引起的菌群改变较对应组的链霉素引起的菌群改变更显著一些。表现在肠杆菌科细菌增多,类杆菌、肠球菌减少。本文认为抗菌药物引起菌群改变与否及影响的程度主要取决于其用药剂量、用药时间及药物代谢动力学特性。     

BALB/c小鼠遗传质量检测的新方法

目的比较随即扩增多态性方法（RAPD）、微卫星方法（STR）与生化标记方法对近交系小鼠遗传质量检测的差异,为近交系动物遗传质量控制提供一种分子生物学方法。方法提取近交系小鼠BALB/c基因组DNA,用6条RAPD引物和20对STR引物对其进行PCR扩增,用生化标记法检测13个位点。结果在6条RAPD引物中,引物2（p2）、引物3（p3）、引物5（p5）和引物6（p6）这四条引物扩增的条带出现差异,表现为不同的RAPD图谱;在20对STR引物中,引物2、4、10和11,这四对引物扩增的条带出现差异,表现为不同的STR图谱;13个生化标记位点中,过氧化氢酶-2（Ce-2）等6个生化位点发现杂合基因。结论RAPD和STR可用于验证生化标记方法的实验结果,并用于保证近交系动物的遗传质量。     

BALB/c小鼠胚胎干细胞系建立的方法学探讨

以小鼠胚胎成纤维细胞（ME）为饲养层,以大鼠心脏细胞条件下培养基（RH－CM）为ES细胞培养基,全面、详尽地对BALB／c小鼠ES细胞的纱和培养方法进行了探讨,成功地建立了一套建立和培养BALB/c小鼠ES细胞系的新方法。这一培养条件不但有效地维持了ES细胞的未分化状态和正常二倍体核型,而且维持了其作为能性胚胎干细胞的一系列特征。实验设计了两种离散方法和两种浓度的消化兴,用来离散增殖的ICM和ICM离散后出现的ES集落。两种离散方法即“一次离散法”,和“多次离散法”,两种浓度的消化液即0．25％。Trypsin－0．04％。EDTA和．005％。Trypsin-0.888％EDTA;同时对ICM离散时机、RH－CM在BALB／c小鼠ES细胞建系和培养中作用进行了探讨。结果表明：在低浓度消化液作用下,采用“多次离散法”离散增殖4天的ICM和ES集落的方法建立BALC／c小鼠的ES细胞系是理想的;从细胞形态、集落形态、增殖生长能力、核型检测、碱性磷酸酶测定以及体内外分化能力表明,所建立的9个BALB/c小鼠ES细胞系符合小鼠胚胎干细胞的一系列特征。     

Gene Expression Profile in the Liver of BALB/c Mice Infected with Fasciola hepatica

Background

Fasciola hepatica infection still remains one of the helminthic neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). It has a huge worldwide distribution, affecting mainly cattle and, sometimes, human beings. In addition to data reported about the immunological response induced by helminthic infections and that induced by Fasciola hepatica, little is known about the gene expression profile in its organ target, the liver, which is where adult worms are established and live for long periods of time, causing its characteristic pathology. In the present work, we study both the early and late gene expression profiles in the livers of mice infected with F. hepatica metacercariae using a microarray-based methodology.

Methodology

A total of 9 female-6-week-old BALB/c mice (Charles River Laboratories, Barcelona, Spain) weighing 20 to 35 g were used for the experiments. Two groups of BALB/c mice were orally infected with seven F. hepatica metacercariae, and the other group remained untreated and served as a control. Mice were humanely euthanized and necropsied for liver recovery, histological assessment of hepatic damage, RNA isolation, microarray design and gene expression analysis on the day of infection (t0), seven days post-infection (t7) and twenty-one days post-infection (t21).

Results

We found that F. hepatica infection induces the differential expression of 128 genes in the liver in the early stage of infection and 308 genes in the late stage, and most of them are up-regulated. The Ingenuity Pathway Analysis revealed significant changes in the pathways related to metabolism, biosynthesis and signaling as well as genes implicated in inducing liver-toxicity, injury and death.

Conclusion

The present study provides us insights at the molecular level about the underlying mechanisms used by F. hepatica, leading to liver damage and its subsequent pathophysiology. The expression pattern obtained here could also be used to explain the lack of association between infection with F. hepatica and cholangiocarcinoma. However, more studies should be performed to confirm this hypothesis.     

Oropharyngeal Aspiration of Burkholderia mallei and Burkholderia pseudomallei in BALB/c Mice

Burkholderia mallei and Burkholderia pseudomallei are potentially lethal pathogens categorized as biothreat agents due, in part, to their ability to be disseminated via aerosol. There are no protective vaccines against these pathogens and treatment options are limited and cumbersome. Since disease severity is greatest when these agents are inhaled, efforts to develop pre- or post-exposure prophylaxis focus largely on inhalation models of infection. Here, we demonstrate a non-invasive and technically simple method for affecting the inhalational challenge of BALB/c mice with B. pseudomallei and B. mallei. In this model, two investigators utilized common laboratory tools such as forceps and a micropipette to conduct and characterize an effective and reproducible inhalational challenge of BALB/c mice with B. mallei and B. pseudomallei. Challenge by oropharyngeal aspiration resulted in acute disease. Additionally, 50% endpoints for B. pseudomallei K96243 and B. mallei ATCC 23344 were nearly identical to published aerosol challenge methods. Furthermore, the pathogens disseminated to all major organs typically targeted by these agents where they proliferated. The pro-inflammatory cytokine production in the proximal and peripheral fluids demonstrated a rapid and robust immune response comparable to previously described murine and human studies. These observations demonstrate that OA is a viable alternative to aerosol exposure.