Trichobilharzia regenti: host immune response in the pathogenesis of neuroinfection in mice

Besides their natural bird hosts, Trichobilharzia regenti cercariae are able to penetrate skin of mammals, including humans. Experimental infections of mice showed that schistosomula of this species are able to avoid the immune response in skin of their non-specific mammalian host and escape the skin to migrate to the CNS. Schistosomula do not mature in mammals, but can survive in nervous tissue for several days post infection. Neuroinfections of specific bird hosts as well as accidental mammalian hosts can lead to neuromotor effects, for example, leg paralysis and thus this parasite serves as a model of parasite invasion of the CNS.Here, we show by histological and immunohistochemical investigation of CNS invasion of immunocompetent (BALB/c) and immunodeficient (SCID) mice by T. regenti schistosomula that the presence of parasites in the nervous tissue initiated an influx of immune cells, activation of microglia, astrocytes and development of inflammatory lesions. Schistosomula elimination in the tissue depended on the host immune status. In the absence of CD3+ T-cells in immunodeficient SCID mice, parasite destruction was slower than that in immunocompetent BALB/c mice. Axon injury and subsequent secondary demyelination in the CNS were associated with mechanical damage due to migration of schistosomula through the nervous tissue, and not by host immune processes. Immunoreactivity of the parasite intestinal content for specific antigens of oligodendrocytes/myelin and neurofilaments showed for the first time that schistosomula ingest the nervous tissue components during their migration.     

Meta-analysis of TYK2 gene polymorphisms association with susceptibility to autoimmune and inflammatory diseases

The aim of our meta-analysis was to quantitatively summarize the association of TYK2 gene polymorphisms with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. 11 studies that included data from 21497 cases and 22647 controls were identified. OR was used as a measure of the effect of the association in a fixed/random effect model. Meta-analysis was performed for six TYK2 gene polymorphisms (rs34536443, rs2304256, rs280523, rs280519, rs12720270 and rs12720356). Significant association was found in rs34536443 (C versus G: OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.69–0.84, P < 0.00001; GC + CC versus GG: OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.68–0.90, P = 0.0005; CC versus GG + GC: OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.28–2.05, P = 0.58; CC versus GG: OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.27–2.02, P = 0.56; GC versus GG: OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.68–0.90, P = 0.0006) and rs2304256 (A versus C: OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.70–0.87, P < 0.0001; CA + AA versus CC: OR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.59–0.81, P < 0.0001; AA versus CC + CA: OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.66–1.00, P = 0.05; AA versus CC: OR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.47–0.86, P = 0.003; CA versus CC: OR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.60–0.83, P < 0.0001) in TYK2 gene, but not for the other polymorphisms (rs280523, rs280519, rs12720270, and rs12720356). This meta-analysis demonstrates that autoimmune and inflammatory diseases is associated with TYK2 gene rs34536443 and rs2304256 polymorphisms, but not rs280523, rs280519, rs12720270 and rs12720356.     

Mitochondrial DNA phylogeography of Semisulcospira libertina (Gastropoda: Cerithioidea: Pleuroceridae): implications the history of landform changes in Taiwan

The mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequences from 95 specimens of Semisulcospira libertina in Taiwan were identified as two major phylogroups, exhibiting a southern and northern distribution, north of Formosa Bank and south of Miaoli Plateau. The genetic distance between these two phylogroups was 12.20 %, and the distances within-phylogroups were 4.97 and 5.56 %. According to a molecular clock of 1.56 % per lineage per million years, the divergence time between these two major phylogroups was estimated at 4.94 million years ago (mya), with the two phylogroups forming at 3.64 and 3.75 mya, respectively. Moreover, the geological events have suggested that Taiwan Island emerged above sea level at 4–5 mya, and became its present shape at 2 mya. These results suggested that these two phylogroups might originate from two independent ancestral populations or divergent before colonizing Taiwan. Within South phylogroup, the initial colonization was hypothesized to be in Kaoping River (WT), followed by its northward. The high divergence between south- and north of WT River was influenced by the formation of the Kaoping foreland basins. Within North phylogroup, the colonization was from central sub-region through paleo-Miaoli Plateau to northern and northeastern sub-regions. This study showed that the landform changes might have shaped the genetic structure of S. libertina in concert. Apparently, two cryptic species or five different genetic stocks of S. libertina could be identified; these results are useful for the evaluation and conservation of S. libertina in Taiwan.     

Distinct APC Subtypes Drive Spatially Segregated CD4+ and CD8+ T-Cell Effector Activity during Skin Infection with HSV-1

Efficient infection control requires potent T-cell responses at sites of pathogen replication. However, the regulation of T-cell effector function in situ remains poorly understood. Here, we show key differences in the regulation of effector activity between CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cells during skin infection with HSV-1. IFN-γ-producing CD4⁺ T cells disseminated widely throughout the skin and draining lymph nodes (LN), clearly exceeding the epithelial distribution of infectious virus. By contrast, IFN-γ-producing CD8⁺ T cells were only found within the infected epidermal layer of the skin and associated hair follicles. Mechanistically, while various subsets of lymphoid- and skin-derived dendritic cells (DC) elicited IFN-γ production by CD4⁺ T cells, CD8⁺ T cells responded exclusively to infected epidermal cells directly presenting viral antigen. Notably, uninfected cross-presenting DCs from both skin and LNs failed to trigger IFN-γ production by CD8⁺ T-cells. Thus, we describe a previously unappreciated complexity in the regulation of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cell effector activity that is subset-specific, microanatomically distinct and involves largely non-overlapping types of antigen-presenting cells (APC).     

Influence of Trichobilharzia regenti (Digenea: Schistosomatidae) on the Defence Activity of Radix lagotis (Lymnaeidae) Haemocytes

Radix lagotis is an intermediate snail host of the nasal bird schistosome Trichobilharzia regenti. Changes in defence responses in infected snails that might be related to host-parasite compatibility are not known. This study therefore aimed to characterize R. lagotis haemocyte defence mechanisms and determine the extent to which they are modulated by T. regenti. Histological observations of R. lagotis infected with T. regenti revealed that early phases of infection were accompanied by haemocyte accumulation around the developing larvae 2–36 h post exposure (p.e.) to the parasite. At later time points, 44–92 h p.e., no haemocytes were observed around T. regenti. Additionally, microtubular aggregates likely corresponding to phagocytosed ciliary plates of T. regenti miracidia were observed within haemocytes by use of transmission electron microscopy. When the infection was in the patent phase, haemocyte phagocytic activity and hydrogen peroxide production were significantly reduced in infected R. lagotis when compared to uninfected counterparts, whereas haemocyte abundance increased in infected snails. At a molecular level, protein kinase C (PKC) and extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK) were found to play an important role in regulating these defence reactions in R. lagotis. Moreover, haemocytes from snails with patent infection displayed lower PKC and ERK activity in cell adhesion assays when compared to those from uninfected snails, which may therefore be related to the reduced defence activities of these cells. These data provide the first integrated insight into the immunobiology of R. lagotis and demonstrate modulation of haemocyte-mediated responses in patent T. regenti infected snails. Given that immunomodulation occurs during patency, interference of snail-host defence by T. regenti might be important for the sustained production and/or release of infective cercariae.     

New occurrence of microchromosomes B in Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae (Pisces, Characidae) from the Paraná River of Brazil: analysis of the synaptonemal complex

The Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae specimens showed a karyotype consisting of 2n = 50 chromosomes with 12 metacentrics, 36 submetacentrics and two subtelocentrics. In addition to the basic karyotype, all the males specimens have cells ranging from zero to two B microchromosomes in mitotic metaphases. These chromosomes were not observed in the female specimens. C-band analysis showed a distribution pattern of characteristic heterochromatin with interstitial and centromeric blocks. However, the B chromosomes were faintly stained with C-banding and were not fluorescent with CMA₃ staining. The meiotic studies showed the formation of bivalents in metaphase I and in pachytene under an optical microscope. Through synaptonemal complex analysis with an electron microscope, the pachytene showed 25 bivalents completely paired and a small bivalent corresponding to the B chromosomes. In the same preparation, one of the B chromosomes was observed in a univalent form. On the basis of pairing behavior and morphology it is assumed that B chromosomes of M. sanctaefilomenae show homology between them and their evolutionary aspects are discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

长江口不同水域浮游动物数量特征比较

为了分析长江口浮游动物与环境的关系,从2004年到2006年分别于5月份(平水期)和8月份(枯水期)在长江口水域共设22个观测站进行6次海洋调查.结果显示:长江口浮游动物丰度8月份高于5月份,北支略大于南支,长江口口外大于口内. 在大多数情况下,5月份丰度近海略大于咸淡交错水域,8月份相反.长江口浮游动物丰度和分布具有不确定性,水团的季节变化,外海水和冲淡水交汇的位置是影响长江口浮游动物分布特征的重要因素.对长江口南支水域而言,5月份中华华哲水蚤(Sinocalanus sinensis), 8月份火腿许水蚤(Schmackeria poplesia)是最主要的优势种;咸淡交错水域和北支优势种种类较多,真刺唇角水蚤(Labidocera euchaeta)在5月份和8月份都是主要优势种,其次是小拟哲水蚤(Paracalanus parvus).针刺拟哲水蚤(Paracalanus aculeatus),背针胸刺水蚤(Centropages dorsispinatus),太平洋纺锤水蚤(Acartia pacifica)和火腿许水蚤仅为8月份的主要优势种.对近海而言,中华哲水蚤(Calanus sinicus)是主要的优势种,其次是五角水母(Muggiaea atlantica)和肥胖箭虫(Sagitta enflata).     

长江河口中小型浮游动物数量分布、变动及主要影响因素

于1999年枯水期(2～3月份)、丰水期(8月份)、2000年枯水期(2～3月份)对长江河口浮游动物采样调查,研究了长江河口浮游动物的数量分布、变动及主要影响因素.结果表明:1999年枯水期浮游动物平均数量仅为79.07ind/m3,浮游动物在河口内与口外海滨形成两个高丰度区,浮游动物个体数量从口门内向近岸及近外海逐渐递减,优势种数量分布情况决定了该期浮游动物总数量分布.1999年丰水期,浮游动物平均数量高达300.89ind/m3,浮游动物分布不均匀,数量由河口内向近岸水域与近外海水域递增.2000年枯水期,浮游动物数量分布总体趋势与1999年枯水期相同.1999年枯水期、丰水期,2000年3月枯水期,桡足类数量占浮游动物总数量分别为95.54%、85.82%、84.83%,桡足类数量在浮游动物总数量中占绝对优势,并在浮游动物数量分布中起关键作用.浮游动物数量分布受潮周期影响显著,优势种在浮游动物数量潮周期分布中起重要作用.由各样站的浮游动物数量与盐度做回归分析,在枯水期均不成线性关系,在丰水期则成线性相关,回归方程为:y=0.34134 0.0112x(r=0.9341, n=8).此外,长江口浮游动物数量季节变化与温度、径流量、海流及食物等关系密切.     

长江口桡足类数量分布与变动

于1999年枯水期(2～3月份)、丰水期(8月份)、2000年枯水期(2～3月份)对长江河口浮游动物桡足类采样调查,研究了长江河口桡足类的数量分布与变动.结果表明:1999年枯水期,桡足类在整个长江河口区的平均数量相对不大,为76ind/m3,但却占同期浮游动物平均数量的95.61%;1999年丰水期桡足类平均数量为254ind/m3,占同期浮游动物平均数量的84.29%;2000年枯水期桡足类平均数量为97ind/m3,占同期浮游动物总数量的84.46%.从优势度看,1999、2000年枯水期主要优势种为华哲水蚤(Sinocalanus sinensis);1999年丰水期主要优势种为火腿许水蚤(Schmackeria poplesia).虫肢歪水蚤(Tortanus vermiculus)、真刺唇角水蚤(Labidocera euchaeta)则在枯、丰水期均为优势种.从种类数看,桡点类在1999年、2000年枯水期均为14种,1999年丰水期为枯水期的近2倍,达25种.对于长江河口主要桡足类而言,华哲水蚤的季节变化明显,适宜生活在盐度较低水域.虫肢歪水蚤数量年际变化较大,其适盐范围比华哲水蚤较宽、较高.真刺唇角水蚤的适盐范围与虫肢歪水蚤相似且更高一些,但该种在枯水期数量较少,丰水期数量较多,变化显著,更适宜在较高温时生长.火腿许水蚤适盐范围宽,能适应很大范围盐度变化,枯水期数量少,丰水期数量大,较高温度生长良好.     

The <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arabidopsis thaliana</Emphasis> response regulator ARR22 is a putative AHP phospho-histidine phosphatase expressed in the chalaza of developing seeds

Background  

The Arabidopsis response regulator 22 (ARR22) is one of two members of a recently defined novel group of two-component system (TCS) elements. TCSs are stimulus perception and response modules of prokaryotic origin, which signal by a His-to-Asp phosphorelay mechanism. In plants, TCS regulators are involved in hormone response pathways, such as those for cytokinin and ethylene. While the functions of the other TCS elements in Arabidopsis, such as histidine kinases (AHKs), histidine-containing phosphotransfer proteins (AHPs) and A-type and B-type ARRs are becoming evident, the role of ARR22 is poorly understood.