Tissue-resident alveolar macrophages reduce O3-induced inflammation via MerTK mediated efferocytosis.

Lung inflammation, caused by acute exposure to ozone (O3) - one of the six criteria air pollutants - is a significant source of morbidity in susceptible individuals. Alveolar macrophages (AMØs) are the most abundant immune cells in the normal lung and their number increases following O3 exposure. However, the role of AMØs in promoting or limiting O3-induced lung inflammation has not been clearly defined. Here, we used a mouse model of acute O3 exposure, lineage tracing, genetic knockouts, and data from O3-exposed human volunteers to define the role and ontogeny of AMØs during acute O3 exposure. Lineage tracing experiments showed that 12, 24, and 72 h after exposure to O3 (2 ppm) for 3h all AMØs were tissue-resident origin. Similarly, in humans exposed to FA and O3 (200 ppb) for 135 minutes, we did not observe ~21h post-exposure an increase in monocyte-derived AMØs by flow cytometry. Highlighting a role for tissue-resident AMØs, we demonstrate that depletion of tissue-resident AMØs with clodronate-loaded liposomes led to persistence of neutrophils in the alveolar space after O3 exposure, suggesting that impaired neutrophil clearance (i.e., efferocytosis) leads to prolonged lung inflammation. Moreover, depletion of tissue-resident AMØ demonstrated reduced clearance of intratracheally instilled apoptotic Jurkat cells, consistent with reduced efferocytosis. Genetic ablation of MerTK - a key receptor involved in efferocytosis - also resulted in impaired clearance of apoptotic neutrophils followed O3 exposure. Overall, these findings underscore the pivotal role of tissue-resident AMØs in resolving O3-induced inflammation via MerTK-mediated efferocytosis.

Myocardial toxicity in a group of greyhounds administered ractopamine.

Ractopamine, a synthetic ß(2)-adrenoceptor agonist, is widely used as a feed additive in the United States to promote a reduction in body fat and enhance muscle growth in cattle, pigs, and turkeys. It has the potential for illegal use in show and racing animals because it may affect performance via its ß-adrenergic agonist properties or anabolic activities. Nine greyhounds were orally administered 1 mg/kg of ractopamine to investigate the ability to detect the drug in urine. Postdosing, 7 of 9 dogs developed cardiac arrhythmias and had elevated troponin levels indicating myocardial damage. One dog necropsied 4 days postdosing had massive myocardial necrosis, mild to focally moderate skeletal muscle necrosis, and widespread segmental arterial mediolysis. A second dog necropsied 17 days postdosing had mild myocardial necrosis and fibrosis. Scattered arteries exhibited segmental medial and perimedial fibromuscular dysplasia. This is the first reported case of arterial, cardiac, and skeletal muscle damage associated with ractopamine.

Spatial distribution of putative growth factors in the guinea pig placenta and the effects of these factors, plasma, and bile on the growth and chemotaxis of Campylobacter jejuni.

The pregnant guinea pig is an effective model for studying abortifacient Campylobacter spp, and previous experiments have demonstrated that C. jejuni IA3902 has a marked predilection for the subplacenta while sparing the placental disc in this species. In the study described here, the growth and chemotaxis of IA3902 and a reference strain (NCTC 11168) are compared in the presence of subplacental and placental factors, as well as bile and plasma, from pregnant and nonpregnant guinea pigs. Both strains grew better in subplacental versus placental disc tissue extracts at 24 hours; however, only IA3902 maintained this enhancement at 48 hours. Histochemistry and lectin histochemistry were used to localize mucin, iron, and l-fucose within the placental unit. Mucin was most abundant in subplacental lacunae, the junctional zone, and visceral yolk sac placenta, while iron was most abundant in the placental disc, and L-fucose-containing surface glycans were limited to the visceral yolk sac placenta. These 3 individual factors, along with progesterone and estradiol, were evaluated for effects on growth and chemotaxis of C. jejuni. Mucin, iron, and L-fucose were growth promoting, while l-fucose was also chemoattractive for both strains. Progesterone, estradiol, and pregnant guinea pig plasma did not affect growth or chemotaxis, and no difference was observed when bile from pregnant and nonpregnant animals was compared. These findings demonstrate the presence of specific factors within the guinea pig placental unit that drive chemotaxis and enhance growth of C. jejuni, shedding light on potential mechanisms underlying the fetoplacental tropism observed with this strain.

Expression of toll-like receptors 2 and 4 in subplacental trophoblasts from guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) following infection with Campylobacter jejuni.

Toll-like receptors 2 and 4 (TLR2 and TLR4) are well-characterized cell surface receptors that recognize specific pathogen-associated molecular patterns and play an important role in pathogen recognition and activation of the innate immune system. Variable expression of TLR2 and TLR4 has been described in trophoblasts from normal and diseased placentas; yet, there are limited data regarding trophoblast TLR expression in response to specific placental pathogens, and TLR expression in the guinea pig placenta has not been described. The guinea pig is an effective model for Campylobacter-induced abortion of small ruminants, and the authors have shown by immunohistochemistry that C jejuni localizes within syncytiotrophoblasts of the guinea pig subplacenta. The present study was designed to determine if the expression of either TLR2 or TLR4 would be affected in subplacental trophoblasts following infection with C jejuni. Immunohistochemistry for TLR2 and TLR4 was performed on placenta from guinea pigs that aborted following inoculation with C jejuni and from sham-inoculated controls. Quantitative assessment of TLR expression was performed, and mean immunoreactivity for TLR2 was significantly higher in subplacental trophoblasts from animals that aborted compared with uninfected controls (P = .0283), whereas TLR4 expression was not statistically different (P = .5909). These results suggest that abortion in guinea pigs following infection with C jejuni is associated with increased TLR2 expression in subplacental trophoblasts and may reveal a possible role for TLR2 in the pathogenesis of Campylobacter-induced abortion.

Use of Renal Replacement Therapy in a Neonatal Foal with Postresuscitation Acute Renal Failure.

A newborn foal was presented because it was unresponsive and in cardiopulmonary arrest. Aggressive cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation was administered to the foal, which revived the foal; however, acute renal failure developed. Fluid retention and azotemia occurred although the foal was alert and able to suckle. A 6-hour renal replacement therapy session using hemodiafiltration and a continuous renal replacement therapy machine was administered to the foal at 3 days of age which lowered the foal's azotemia and facilitated removal of some of the excess body fluid. Despite therapy, the foal developed pulmonary edema and was euthanized. Although the foal in this case did not survive, this report highlights the possibility of developing postresuscitation complications such as acute renal failure and describes the use of renal replacement therapy using hemodiafiltration as a viable option in neonatal foals with acute kidney injury.

An autosomal recessive, lethal, neurologic disease of Gordon Setter puppies.

This report details clinical, necropsy, and pedigree data on an inherited, lethal, neurologic disease of young Gordon Setters. This disorder is characterized by an early age of onset, gait and postural abnormalities, progressive weakness, and recumbency by 5-6 weeks of age. Although clinically distinctive, postmortem changes in affected pups were minimal. Gross lesions were not observed. Microscopic changes were subtle and consisted of astrocyte swelling, primarily in the cerebrocortical and cerebellar white matter, and white matter tracts of the brainstem. Immunohistochemistry for glial fibrillary acidic protein revealed a marked increase in the number and staining intensity of astrocyte cytoplasmic processes in affected pups compared with age-matched controls. Neither cerebral inflammation nor neuronal necrosis was identified. Pedigree analysis of affected litters demonstrated an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. A diagnosis of this heritable disease should be based on the early age of onset (3-4 weeks of age), characteristic clinical signs, rapid progression to recumbency by 5-6 weeks of age, identification of swollen astrocytes primarily in the cerebellar and cerebrocortical white matter and white matter tracts of the brainstem, and the exclusion of other disease processes.

The effect of subclinical selenium toxicosis on pregnant beef cattle.

A field investigation conducted by the South Dakota Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory suggested that subclinical selenium toxicosis in pregnant cows may have contributed to an outbreak of aborted/stillborn calves in a high-selenium region of South Dakota. This study was undertaken to evaluate the relationship between abortion and subclinical selenium toxicosis in the dam and to assess the effects of subclinical selenium toxicosis on the bovine immune system. Fifteen pregnant cows were fed diets containing 0.25 (control), 6.0, and 12.0 ppm selenium beginning at 80-110 days gestation. Although selenium toxicosis has been reported to cause abortion, this study failed to reproduce abortions. A single cow in the 12-ppm selenium treatment group gave birth to a weak calf, which subsequently died. This calf had myocardial lesions consistent with those described for selenium toxicosis and had hepatic selenium levels of 9.68 ppm (wet weight). Elevated dietary selenium resulted in the depression of several leukocyte function parameters in pregnant cows. A statistically significant depression in forced antibody response was identified in both selenium-supplemented groups. A significantly diminished mitogenic response to concanavalin A and pokeweed mitogen was also observed in the 12-ppm selenium group. Although a similar pattern of depression was also observed with phytohemagglutinin, differences were not significant. These findings indicate that even in the absence of clinical alkali disease, elevated selenium levels may adversely affect both pregnancy outcome and the bovine immune system.

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2) coinfections in US field cases of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS).

The prevalence of different pathogens detected in combination with porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2) was studied retrospectively in field cases of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) diagnosed at the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Ames, Iowa, between January 2000, and September 2001. The presence of PCV-2 antigen in lymphoid tissues and/or lung, demonstrated by immunohistochemistry, together with moderate to severe lymphoid depletion and/or granulomatous lymphadenitis, was used as the criteria for the diagnosis of PMWS. A total of 484 cases fulfilled these criteria. Most of the cases (294/369) of PMWS occurred in pigs between the ages of 8 and 18 weeks, with a peak at 10 weeks of age. Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus was detected in 51.9% of the cases, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in 35.5%, bacterial septicemia in 14.0%, bacterial pneumonia in 7.6%, swine influenza virus in 5.4%, and PCV-2 alone in 1.9%. In cases with bacterial septicemia the most frequently isolated pathogen was Streptococcus suis. In cases with bacterial pneumonia, Pasteurella multocida was the most prevalent.

Persistence of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in serum and semen of adult boars.

Four seronegative adult boars were intranasally inoculated with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) isolate VR-2332. Serum and semen were collected 2-3 times weekly for over 100 days postinoculation (DPI). Serum samples were assayed for PRRSV by virus isolation (VI) and a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and screened for antibodies to PRRSV using the indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) and virus neutralization (VN) tests. Semen was assayed for PRRSV RNA by PCR. Virus and viral RNA was detected in the serum of all boars within 1 DPI by Vi and/or PCR. However, VI results indicated that viremia was transient and occurred from 1 to 9 DPI. Viral RNA was detected in serum from 1 to 31 DPI. In the acute stage of the infection, PRRSV RNA was detected in serum by PCR prior to the presence of viral RNA in semen. The PRRSV RNA was detected in semen as early as 3 DPI and persisted for 25 DPI in 2 of the boars and 56 and 92 DPI in the remaining 2 boars. Detection of PRRSV RNA in semen occurred 2-8 and 28-35 days prior to the detection of antibodies by IFA and VN, respectively. PRRSV was isolated from the bulbourethral gland of the boar that shed viral RNA in semen for 92 DPI. These results suggest that PRRSV RNA can be detected by PCR in boar serum and semen, and may persist for variable periods of time. Viremia and the serologic status of the boar are not adequate indicators of when PRRSV or PRRSV RNA is being shed in the semen. Preliminary findings also indicated that neither shipping stress nor reinoculation with homologous PRRSV resulted in viremia or viral RNA shedding in semen.

Effect of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus infection on the ovary and progesterone levels in third trimester pregnant sows.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a common cause of reproductive failure and abortion in swine. The mechanism of abortion is not fully defined, and the effect of the virus on luteal function has not been explored. In this study, we exposed late-term pregnant swine to varied doses of PRRSV strain NADC-8 and evaluated effects on ovarian function by serial determination of plasma progesterone levels and by microscopic evaluation of ovarian pathologic alterations combined with immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization to detect PRRSV antigen. We identified no specific trend in plasma progesterone level associated with PRRSV infection status and no microscopic ovarian lesions. PRRSV antigen was not demonstrated in ovarian tissues by immunohistochemistry or in situ hybridization at necropsy 21 days postexposure. Based on these findings, it does not appear that either a direct or an indirect effect on luteal function contributes to PRRSV-induced abortion.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization for identification of Tritrichomonas foetus in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded histological specimens of intestinal trichomoniasis.

In the present study a highly species-specific oligonucleotide sequence of Tritrichomonas foetus 18S rRNA was used to design an antisense probe for identification of T. foetus in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded histological specimens by means of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Using archival histological specimens from several species with light microscopic evidence of intestinal trichomoniasis, and under optimized hybridization conditions, the probe positively identified trichomonads in colonic specimens from piglets and a kitten with PCR-confirmed T. foetus infection. Neither positive hybridization of the probe or PCR amplification of T. foetus DNA was observed in histological specimens from hamster (Tritrichomonas muris), turkey, nor mouse (Entamoeba muris) intestinal protozoal infections. Sequence-specific binding of the probe was further verified by successfully out-competing the hybridization with 10 x molar excess unlabeled probe and failure of a labeled sense probe to hybridize. The FISH assay described here enables simultaneous location and molecular identification of T. foetus in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded histological specimens of intestinal trichomoniasis. The methods employed are likely to also be applicable to probes designed for specific recognition of other trichomonad species, especially in mammalian tissue where red blood cell auto-fluorescence can be easily differentiated from the hybridization signal of trichomonads.

Histologic features associated with tritrichomonas foetus-induced colitis in domestic cats.

Tritrichomonas foetus is a venereal pathogen of naturally bred cattle. In domestic cats, T. foetus colonizes the colon, resulting in chronic, large-bowel diarrhea. The infection is prevalent among young, densely housed cats, and there is no effective treatment. To the authors' knowledge, the characteristic microscopic lesions of T. foetus infection in naturally infected cats have not been described. The aim of the study reported here was to characterize the histologic changes in the colon of seven cats with T. foetus infection and chronic diarrhea. All cats were 1 year old or younger (mean, 6.7 +/- 1.7 months), and a diagnosis of T. foetus infection was made on the basis of direct fecal smear examination (five cats), fecal culture in InPouch TF medium (four cats), single-tube nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of DNA extracted from feces (two cats), or observation of trichomonads in sections of colon followed by PCR confirmation on DNA extracted from paraffin-embedded tissue (two cats). The presence of colonic trichomonads was the most diagnostic histologic feature. Organisms were identified in all cats, but in only 24 of 43 (56%) sections of colon. Trichomonads were generally present in close proximity to the mucosal surface and less frequently in the lumen of colonic crypts. The presence of colonic trichomonads was consistently associated with mild-to-moderate lymphoplasmacytic and neutrophilic colitis, crypt epithelial cell hypertrophy, hyperplasia and increased mitotic activity, loss of goblet cells, crypt microabscesses, and attenuation of the superficial colonic mucosa. In two of the cats, histologic lesions were more severe and were associated with invasion of trichomonads into the lamina propria and/or deeper layers of the colon.

The reverse transforming effects of nerve growth factor on five human neurogenic tumor cell lines: in vitro results.

The role of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the development, maintenance and regeneration of the mammalian sensory and sympathetic nervous systems has been well characterized, as has the ability of NGF to induce a variety of neoplastic cell lines of neuroecto-dermal (neurogenic) origin to differentiate. The ability to stimulate neoplastic cells of neurogenic origin to differentiate suggests that NGF may prove useful as a reverse transforming agent for the treatment of neurogenic tumors. Five human neurogenic tumor cell lines were evaluated for their response to NGF in vitro to determine whether the NGF is capable of inducing changes consistent with a reverse transforming response. Results indicate that NGF was able to reverse some of the transformed properties of these tumor cell lines, as NGF treatment stimulated neoplastic cells to develop a more differentiated phenotype, diminished or arrested growth, and induced changes that were persistent.

The use of nerve growth factor as a reverse transforming agent for the treatment of neurogenic tumors: in vivo results.

The rationale behind the evaluation of natural differentiating agents, such as nerve growth factor (NGF), for reverse transforming potential is based on the theory that such compounds may represent a nontoxic means of controlling tumor growth. Previous in vitro experiments have shown that NGF is capable of retarding growth and of inducing persistent differentiation of neurogenic tumor cell lines. In vivo, NGF is capable of causing a persistent reduction in the number of ethylnitrosourea-induced neurinomas and of increasing survival time following intracerebral implantation of F98 anaplastic glioma cells. In this study, anaplastic glioma and neurinoma implants were treated with NGF to evaluate the reverse transforming potential of NGF in vivo. Results indicate that NGF is capable of causing a significant decrease in the growth rate of subcutaneous T9 (anaplastic glioma) and clone 16 (anaplastic neurinoma) implants. Significantly, NGF treatment was accompanied by adverse effects that were minimal and transient. Continued tumor growth (although greatly retarded) following NGF treatment is an aspect that requires further investigation. However, the results of this study suggest that NGF may prove useful, alone or in combination with other types of therapy, for the treatment of tumors of neurogenic origin.

Immunohistochemical characterization of rat central and peripheral nerve tumors induced by ethylnitrosourea.

Ethylnitrosourea-induced central and peripheral nerve tumors in Sprague-Dawley rats were tested for GFAP (Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein), S-100 protein, NSE (Neuron Specific Enolase) and Anti-Leu 7 (HNK-1) immunoreactivity utilizing the ABC method (avidin-biotin-complex) for GFAP, S-100 protein and NSE, and the PAP method (peroxidase-antiperoxidase) for Anti-Leu 7. Peripheral nerve neurinomas were consistently positive for S-100 protein and consistently negative for GFAP and Anti-Leu 7. Neurinomas would occasionally exhibit positive staining for NSE (2 of 55 tumors). The staining intensity for S-100 protein varied from strongly positive in differentiated neurinomas to weakly positive in anaplastic tumors. Neoplastic and reactive astrocytes exhibited positive staining for both S-100 protein and GFAP. Variation in the GFAP staining intensity of glial tumors correlated with the degree of differentiation as anaplastic tumors did not stain with the same intensity as their more differentiated counterparts. Oligodendrogliomas exhibited occasional immunoreactivity to S-100 protein (3 of 36 tumors). NSE reactivity in oligodendrogliomas was rarely observed (1 tumor in 36) and immunoreactivity against GFAP or Anti-Leu 7 was consistently absent. Anti-Leu 7 and NSE proved to be of little value in the classification of ENU-induced neural tumors.

Detection of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in boar semen by PCR.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) causes a devastating disease in swine. The presence and transmission of PRRSV by boar semen has been demonstrated by using a swine bioassay. In this assay, 4- to 8-week-old pigs were inoculated intraperitoneally with semen from PRRSV-infected boars. Seroconversion of these piglets indicated the presence of PRRSV in semen. Seroconversion in gilts has also been demonstrated following artificial insemination with semen from PRRSV-infected boars. These methods of detecting PRRSV in boar semen are time-consuming, laborious, and expensive. The objective of this study was to develop a reliable and sensitive PCR assay to directly detect PRRSV in boar semen. Primers from open reading frames 1b and 7 of the PRRSV genome were used in nested PCRs. Virus was detected at concentrations as low as 10 infectious virions per ml in PRRSV-spiked semen. Specificity was confirmed by using a nested PCR and a 32P-labeled oligonucleotide probe. The primers did not react with related arteriviruses or other swine viruses. The PCR assay showed good correlation with the swine bioassay, and both methods were superior to virus isolation. To consistently identify PRRSV in boar semen, the cell fraction was separated by centrifugation at 600 x g for 20 min, a lysis buffer without a reducing agent (2-mercaptoethanol) was used, and nondiluted and 1:20-diluted cell fractions were evaluated by PCR. PRRSV was not reliably detected in the seminal plasma fraction of boar semen.