沙眼衣原体感染后大鼠输卵管糖蛋白的变化

目的：研究沙眼衣原体（chlamydial trachomatis,CT）感染后,输卵管粘膜的结构及糖蛋白的变化。方法：60只成年Wistar雌性大鼠随机分为实验组和对照组,实验组单侧卵巢囊接种沙眼衣原体E型株,对照组接种2SP代替沙眼衣原体,分别于接种后第0.5、7、14天取材,在光镜下观察输卵管的结构变化,并采用PAS-Alcian blue染色显示输卵管内糖蛋白组分的变化。结果：对照组输卵管粘膜结构和糖蛋白组分无明显变化;实验组输卵管受损部位主要局限于粘膜层,PAS-Alcian blue染色显示沙眼衣原体感染可导致中性糖蛋白分泌减少。结论：沙眼衣原体的感染可使输卵管糖蛋白组分发生改变,这可能与反复感染的宫外孕、输卵管性不孕的发生有关。     

Diagnosis of ovine enzootic abortion using an indirect ELISA (rOMP91B iELISA) based on a recombinant protein fragment of the polymorphic outer membrane protein POMP91B of Chlamydophila abortus

Chlamydophila abortus is of major economic importance worldwide as one of the principal causes of abortion in sheep. Serological diagnosis of infection by the complement fixation test (CFT) is complicated by false positive reactions resulting from cross-reactive antibodies to Chlamydophila pecorum. To improve diagnosis an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA) based on a recombinant protein fragment of the C. abortus polymorphic outer membrane protein POMP91B (rOMP91B iELISA) was assessed using a panel of 281 sera from experimentally and naturally infected sheep. The iELISA performed well, being more sensitive (84.2%) and specific (98.5%) than the CFT. Furthermore, the iELISA was better at differentiating C. abortus- from C. pecorum-infected animals. The new rOMP91B iELISA test will prove a valuable tool for the routine serodiagnosis of C. abortus infection.     

Chlamydia pneumoniae infection significantly exacerbates aortic atherosclerosis in an LDLR–/– mouse model within six months

We have previously shown that infection with the C. pneumoniae AR39 strain once monthly for 9 consecutive months significantly exacerbated atherosclerosis in mice with LDL receptor deficiency (LDLR–/–) in the presence of a high cholesterol diet. To further optimize the LDLR–/– mouse model for studying the mechanisms of C. pneumoniae atherogenesis, we have tested a different infection protocol with intranasal inoculation twice monthly for 6 consecutive months in the present study. We found that C. pneumoniae infection for 6 months was sufficient to produce a 130%, significantly greater exacerbation of aortic atherosclerosis in LDLR–/– mice in the presence of a high cholesterol diet. Mice receiving a high cholesterol diet alone displayed a lesion area index of 18.2 ± 6.1 (S.D.) while mice treated with both the high cholesterol diet and C. pneumoniae infection had a lesion area index of 41.8 ± 15.2 (S.D.). However, the chlamydial infection did not significantly alter the mouse serum total cholesterol or the LDL levels induced by the high cholesterol diet. This study not only confirms our previous findings that C. pneumoniae infection can exacerbate aortic atherosclerosis lesion in the LDLR–/– mice, but also further optimizes the LDLR–/– mouse model for future mechanism studies.     

牛布鲁氏菌病阳性血清国家标准品的研制

为制备标定凝集试验用的牛布鲁氏菌病阳性血清国家标准品,采集4份田间自然感染牛布鲁氏菌病的阳性血清作为候选物,经过筛选后,选择了3#血清用于标准品制备。对该标准品进行了物理性状、无菌检验、真空度测定、剩余水分检验、均匀性检测和稳定性试验,检测结果均符合要求。以国际标准品为参比,测定了该标准品的RBT、SAT和CFT效价,结果分别为1∶160“+”、1∶2 400“++”、1∶800“++”,与协作标定结果完全一致。该标准品以国际标准品溯源的国际单位含量为4 000 IU/mL。     

Immunoproteomics of Brucella abortus reveals differential antibody profiles between S19-vaccinated and naturally infected cattle

Brucella abortus is a Gram-negative intracellular bacterium that causes infectious abortion in food-producing animals and chronic infection in humans. This study aimed to characterize a B. abortus S19 antigen preparation obtained by Triton X-114 (TX-114) extraction through immunoproteomics to differentiate infected from vaccinated cattle. Three groups of bovine sera were studied: GI, 30 naturally infected cows; GII, 30 S19-vaccinated heifers; and GIII, 30 nonvaccinated seronegative cows. One-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional electrophoretic profiles of TX-114 hydrophilic phase antigen revealed a broad spectrum of polypeptides (10-79 kDa). 1D immunoblot showed widespread seroreactivity profile in GI compared with restricted profile in GII. Three antigenic components (10, 12, 17 kDa) were recognized exclusively by GI sera, representing potential markers of infection and excluding vaccinal response. The proteomic characterization revealed 56 protein spots, 27 of which were antigenic spots showing differential seroreactivity profile between GI and GII, especially polypeptides <20 kDa that were recognized exclusively by GI. MS/MS analysis identified five B. abortus S19 proteins (Invasion protein B, Sod, Dps, Ndk, and Bfr), which were related with antigenicity in naturally infected cattle. In conclusion, immunoproteomics of this new antigen preparation enabled the characterization of proteins that could be used as tools to develop sensitive and specific immunoassays for serodiagnosis of bovine brucellosis, with emphasis on differentiation between S19 vaccinated and infected cattle.     

大鼠输卵管沙眼衣原体感染后体内树突状细胞的变化

目的观察大鼠输卵管沙眼衣原体(CT)感染后体内树突状细胞(DC)的变化.方法选择成年雌性Wistar大鼠,从卵巢囊接种沙眼衣原体E型株.于感染后第1/2d、7d、14d、21d、28d和第35d处死动物取材,显示输卵管和脾内DC的变化.结果 1. 实验1/2d组输卵管未出现S-100 DC,在实验第7d、14d、21d、28d和第35d组输卵管均有S-100 DC出现;2.感染后脾淋巴小结数量增多,体积较大,淋巴小结内S-100 DC密集,动脉周围淋巴鞘内S-100 DC增多.结论输卵管CT感染后,输卵管和脾内S-100 DC增加,提示在体内DC对CT具有抗原提呈和启动机体免疫应答的作用,DC具有作为CT治疗性疫苗基础构建的潜力.     

Chlamydial symbionts in the enigmatic Xenoturbella (Deuterostomia)

Ultrastructural observations of the gastrodermal cells in the enigmatic Xenoturbella revealed numerous chlamydiae. They are related to "Candidatus Fritschea" and Simkania (Simkaniaceae) based on 16S and 23S rRNA. Their 23S rRNA gene contains an intron encoding a putative homing endonuclease. The chlamydiae were pleomorphic and formed intravacuolar colonies. They have flattened disk-shaped elementary bodies, either oval or bow tie-shaped in cross-section, and reticulate bodies that are spherical, polygonal or irregularly shaped. All stages have five-layered cell wall with rippled appearance. Bacteria were not observed in the nuclei. The association between the chlamydiae and Xenoturbella is characterized by absence of cytopathological effects; limited host cell response against the chlamydiae; the confinement of the chlamydiae to inclusions in some part of the host cell; and complete and uniform infection of all examined hosts.