The ChAdOx1 vectored vaccine, AZD2816, induces strong immunogenicity against SARS-CoV-2 beta (B.1.351) and other variants of concern in preclinical studies

BACKGROUND

There is an ongoing global effort to design, manufacture, and clinically assess vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. Over the course of the ongoing pandemic a number of new SARS-CoV-2 virus isolates or variants of concern (VoC) have been identified containing mutations in key proteins.

METHODS

In this study we describe the generation and preclinical assessment of a ChAdOx1-vectored vaccine (AZD2816) which expresses the spike protein of the Beta VoC (B.1.351).

FINDINGS

We demonstrate that AZD2816 is immunogenic after a single dose. When AZD2816 is used as a booster dose in animals primed with a vaccine encoding the original spike protein (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19/ [AZD1222]), an increase in binding and neutralising antibodies against Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P.1) and Delta (B.1.617.2) is observed following each additional dose. In addition, a strong and polyfunctional T cell response was measured all booster regimens.

INTERPRETATION

Real world data is demonstrating that one or more doses of licensed SARS-CoV-2 vaccines confer reduced protection against hospitalisation and deaths caused by divergent VoC, including Omicron. Our data support the ongoing clinical development and testing of booster vaccines to increase immunity against highly mutated VoC.

FUNDING

This research was funded by AstraZeneca with supporting funds from MRC and BBSRC.

Respiratory and Intramuscular Immunization With ChAdOx2-NPM1-NA Induces Distinct Immune Responses in H1N1pdm09 Pre-Exposed Pigs

There is a critical need to develop superior influenza vaccines that provide broader protection. Influenza vaccines are traditionally tested in naive animals, although humans are exposed to influenza in the first years of their lives, but the impact of prior influenza exposure on vaccine immune responses has not been well studied. Pigs are an important natural host for influenza, are a source of pandemic viruses, and are an excellent model for human influenza. Here, we investigated the immunogenicity of the ChAdOx2 viral vectored vaccine, expressing influenza nucleoprotein, matrix protein 1, and neuraminidase in H1N1pdm09 pre-exposed pigs. We evaluated the importance of the route of administration by comparing intranasal, aerosol, and intramuscular immunizations. Aerosol delivery boosted the local lung T-cell and antibody responses, while intramuscular immunization boosted peripheral blood immunity. These results will inform how best to deliver vaccines in order to harness optimal protective immunity.

Heterologous vaccination regimens with self-amplifying RNA and adenoviral COVID vaccines induce robust immune responses in mice

Several vaccines have demonstrated efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 mediated disease, yet there is limited data on the immune response induced by heterologous vaccination regimens using alternate vaccine modalities. Here, we present a detailed description of the immune response, in mice, following vaccination with a self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) vaccine and an adenoviral vectored vaccine (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19/AZD1222) against SARS-CoV-2. We demonstrate that antibody responses are higher in two-dose heterologous vaccination regimens than single-dose regimens. Neutralising titres after heterologous prime-boost were at least comparable or higher than the titres measured after homologous prime boost vaccination with viral vectors. Importantly, the cellular immune response after a heterologous regimen is dominated by cytotoxic T cells and Th1+ CD4 T cells, which is superior to the response induced in homologous vaccination regimens in mice. These results underpin the need for clinical trials to investigate the immunogenicity of heterologous regimens with alternate vaccine technologies.

Native-like SARS-CoV-2 Spike Glycoprotein Expressed by ChAdOx1 nCoV-19/AZD1222 Vaccine

Vaccine development against the SARS-CoV-2 virus focuses on the principal target of the neutralizing immune response, the spike (S) glycoprotein. Adenovirus-vectored vaccines offer an effective platform for the delivery of viral antigen, but it is important for the generation of neutralizing antibodies that they produce appropriately processed and assembled viral antigen that mimics that observed on the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Here, we describe the structure, conformation, and glycosylation of the S protein derived from the adenovirus-vectored ChAdOx1 nCoV-19/AZD1222 vaccine. We demonstrate native-like post-translational processing and assembly, and reveal the expression of S proteins on the surface of cells adopting the trimeric prefusion conformation. The data presented here confirm the use of ChAdOx1 adenovirus vectors as a leading platform technology for SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.

Native-like SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein expressed by ChAdOx1 nCoV-19/AZD1222 vaccine

Vaccine development against the SARS-CoV-2 virus focuses on the principal target of the neutralizing immune response, the spike (S) glycoprotein. Adenovirus-vectored vaccines offer an effective platform for the delivery of viral antigen, but it is important for the generation of neutralizing antibodies that they produce appropriately processed and assembled viral antigen that mimics that observed on the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Here, we describe the structure, conformation and glycosylation of the S protein derived from the adenovirus-vectored ChAdOx1 nCoV-19/AZD1222 vaccine. We demonstrate native-like post-translational processing and assembly, and reveal the expression of S proteins on the surface of cells adopting the trimeric prefusion conformation. The data presented here confirms the use of ChAdOx1 adenovirus vectors as a leading platform technology for SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.

Naturally Acquired Rift Valley Fever Virus Neutralizing Antibodies Predominantly Target the Gn Glycoprotein

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a viral hemorrhagic disease first discovered in Kenya in 1930. Numerous animal studies have demonstrated that protective immunity is acquired following RVF virus (RVFV) infection and that this correlates with acquisition of virus-neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) that target the viral envelope glycoproteins. However, naturally acquired immunity to RVF in humans is poorly described. Here, we characterized the immune response to the viral envelope glycoproteins, Gn and Gc, in RVFV-exposed Kenyan adults. Long-lived IgG (dominated by IgG1 subclass) and T cell responses were detected against both Gn and Gc. However, antigen-specific antibody depletion experiments showed that Gn-specific antibodies dominate the RVFV nAb response. IgG avidity against Gn, but not Gc, correlated with nAb titers. These data are consistent with the greater level of immune accessibility of Gn on the viral envelope surface and confirm the importance of Gn as an integral component for RVF vaccine development.

ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine prevents SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia in rhesus macaques

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in December 20191,2 and is responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic3. Vaccines are an essential countermeasure and are urgently needed to control the pandemic4. Here we show that the adenovirus-vector-based vaccine ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, which encodes the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, is immunogenic in mice and elicites a robust humoral and cell-mediated response. This response was predominantly mediated by type-1 T helper cells, as demonstrated by the profiling of the IgG subclass and the expression of cytokines. Vaccination with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (using either a prime-only or a prime-boost regimen) induced a balanced humoral and cellular immune response of type-1 and type-2 T helper cells in rhesus macaques. We observed a significantly reduced viral load in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lower respiratory tract tissue of vaccinated rhesus macaques that were challenged with SARS-CoV-2 compared with control animals, and no pneumonia was observed in vaccinated SARS-CoV-2-infected animals. However, there was no difference in nasal shedding between vaccinated and control SARS-CoV-2-infected macaques. Notably, we found no evidence of immune-enhanced disease after viral challenge in vaccinated SARS-CoV-2-infected animals. The safety, immunogenicity and efficacy profiles of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 against symptomatic PCR-positive COVID-19 disease will now be assessed in randomized controlled clinical trials in humans.

ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination prevents SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia in rhesus macaques

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in December 20191,2 and is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic3. Vaccines are an essential countermeasure urgently needed to control the pandemic4. Here, we show that the adenovirus-vectored vaccine ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, encoding the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, is immunogenic in mice, eliciting a robust humoral and cell-mediated response. This response was not Th2 dominated, as demonstrated by IgG subclass and cytokine expression profiling. A single vaccination with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 induced a humoral and cellular immune response in rhesus macaques. We observed a significantly reduced viral load in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and respiratory tract tissue of vaccinated animals challenged with SARS-CoV-2 compared with control animals, and no pneumonia was observed in vaccinated rhesus macaques. Importantly, no evidence of immune-enhanced disease following viral challenge in vaccinated animals was observed. ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 is currently under investigation in a phase I clinical trial. Safety, immunogenicity and efficacy against symptomatic PCR-positive COVID-19 disease will now be assessed in randomised controlled human clinical trials.

A Protective Monoclonal Antibody Targets a Site of Vulnerability on the Surface of Rift Valley Fever Virus

The Gn subcomponent of the Gn-Gc assembly that envelopes the human and animal pathogen, Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), is a primary target of the neutralizing antibody response. To better understand the molecular basis for immune recognition, we raised a class of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (nAbs) against RVFV Gn, which exhibited protective efficacy in a mouse infection model. Structural characterization revealed that these nAbs were directed to the membrane-distal domain of RVFV Gn and likely prevented virus entry into a host cell by blocking fusogenic rearrangements of the Gn-Gc lattice. Genome sequence analysis confirmed that this region of the RVFV Gn-Gc assembly was under selective pressure and constituted a site of vulnerability on the virion surface. These data provide a blueprint for the rational design of immunotherapeutics and vaccines capable of preventing RVFV infection and a model for understanding Ab-mediated neutralization of bunyaviruses more generally.

Vaccination with the Staphylococcus aureus secreted proteins EapH1 and EapH2 impacts both S. aureus carriage and invasive disease

INTRODUCTION

There is a need for an efficacious vaccine reducing infections due to Staphylococcus aureus, a common cause of community and hospital infection. Infecting organisms originate from S. aureus populations colonising the nares and bowel. Antimicrobials are widely used to transiently reduce S. aureus colonisation prior to surgery, a practice which is selecting for resistant S. aureus isolates. S. aureus secretes multiple proteins, including the protease inhibitors extracellular adhesion protein homologue 1 and 2 (EapH1 and EapH2).

METHODS

Mice were vaccinated intramuscularly or intranasally with Adenovirus serotype 5 and Modified Vaccinia Ankara viral vectors expressing EapH1 and EapH2 proteins, or with control viruses. Using murine S. aureus colonisation models, we monitored S. aureus colonisation by sequential stool sampling. Monitoring of S. aureus invasive disease after intravenous challenge was performed using bacterial load and abscess numbers in the kidney.

RESULTS

Intramuscular vaccination with Adenovirus serotype 5 and Modified Vaccinia Ankara viral vectors expressing EapH1 and EapH2 proteins significantly reduces bacterial recovery in the murine renal abscess model of infection, but the magnitude of the effect is small. A single intranasal vaccination with an adenoviral vaccine expressing these proteins reduced S. aureus gastrointestinal (GI) tract colonisation.

CONCLUSION

Vaccination against EapH1 / EapH2 proteins may offer an antibiotic independent way to reduce S. aureus colonisation, as well as contributing to protection against S. aureus invasive disease.

MRI Based Localisation and Quantification of Abscesses following Experimental S. aureus Intravenous Challenge: Application to Vaccine Evaluation

Purpose

To develop and validate a sensitive and specific method of abscess enumeration and quantification in a preclinical model of Staphylococcus aureus infection.

Methods

S. aureus infected murine kidneys were fixed in paraformaldehyde, impregnated with gadolinium, and embedded in agar blocks, which were subjected to 3D magnetic resonance microscopy on a 9.4T MRI scanner. Image analysis techniques were developed, which could identify and quantify abscesses. The result of this imaging was compared with histological examination. The impact of a S. aureus Sortase A vaccination regime was assessed using the technique.

Results

Up to 32 murine kidneys could be imaged in a single MRI run, yielding images with voxels of about 25 μm³. S. aureus abscesses could be readily identified in blinded analyses of the kidneys after 3 days of infection, with low inter-observer variability. Comparison with histological sections shows a striking correlation between the two techniques: all presumptive abscesses identified by MRI were confirmed histologically, and histology identified no abscesses not evident on MRI. In view of this, simulations were performed assuming that both MRI reconstruction, and histology examining all sections of the tissue, were fully sensitive and specific at abscess detection. This simulation showed that MRI provided more sensitive and precise estimates of abscess numbers and volume than histology, unless at least 5 histological sections are taken through the long axis of the kidney. We used the MRI technique described to investigate the impact of a S. aureus Sortase A vaccine.

Conclusion

Post mortem MRI scanning of large batches of fixed organs has application in the preclinical assessment of S. aureus vaccines.

Biofiltration Control of Hydrogen Sulfide 2. Kinetics, Biofilter Performance, and Maintenance

The kinetics of H2S oxidation in a biofilter were evaluated and the reaction rates determined to be first-order at low concentrations (< 200 ppm), zero-order at high concentrations (> 400 ppm), and fractional-order in the intermediate concentration range for H2S in the inlet waste gas. The overall performance of the biofilter system and changes in compost properties were investigated for 200 days of operation. The compost biofilter showed good buffering capacities to variations in gas flow rate and pollutant (H2S) loading impacts. Hydrogen sulfide removal efficiencies exceeding 99.9% were consistently observed. System acidification and sulfate accumulation were identified as inhibitors of required biological activity. Routine washing of the compost effectively mitigated these deficiencies. System upset was determined to be caused by compost dry-out or system overloading. Methods were developed to provide for recovery of contaminated filter material.

From the Field: A Maternal-Child Health Nursing Competence Validation Model

This group of Vermont community health nurses from different agencies collaborated to develop a competence validation framework for maternal and child health nursing in the practice areas of perinatal client teaching, breastfeeding, and prenatal, postpartum, and newborn nursing care. The framework is based on the work of Benner, using the "competent" level of nursing practice, and delineates three parameters of competence: technical skills, interpersonal skills, and critical thinking skills. Learning resource materials, including newborn and maternal assessment guidelines, were developed for each competence area. The four competence validation tools were successfully tested for validity and reliability as well as efficiency and effectiveness by nurses in all 13 home health agencies and 12 public health district offices in Vermont. This system of competence validation is now used to support a consistently high quality of care for all recipients of Vermont's Healthy Babies, Kids, and Families services, and is available for use in other care settings.

Overexpression of glutathione S-transferase/glutathione peroxidase enhances the growth of transgenic tobacco seedlings during stress

Transgenic tobacco seedlings that overexpress a cDNA encoding an enzyme with both glutathione S-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity had GST- and GPX-specific activities approximately twofold higher than wild-type seedlings. These GST/GPX overexpressing seedlings grew significantly faster than control seedlings when exposed to chilling or salt stress. During chilling stress, levels of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) were significantly higher in transgenic seedlings than in wild-types. Growth of wild-type seedlings was accelerated by treatment with GSSG, while treatment with reduced glutathione or other sulfhydryl-reducing agents inhibited growth. Therefore, overexpression of GST/GPX can stimulate seedling growth under chilling and salt stress, and this effect could be caused by oxidation of the glutathione pool.

Dome epithelium and follicle-associated basal lamina pores in the avian bursa of Fabricius

BACKGROUND

The immunological role played by the avian bursa of Fabricius has been well established. Although numerous studies have also reported on the development and general morphology of this organ, some structure-function relationships still have not been fully explained.

METHODS

Bursae from chickens at three developmental stages were removed and examined by scanning electron microscopy. Routine preparation was used as well as sonication (microdissection). Micrographs were used for qualitative morphological study and for quantitative morphometric analyses.

RESULTS

Routine SEM observations were similar to those previously reported in the literature. Sonicated specimens allowed topographical study of various levels of surface erosion. Two types of surface cells were observed: typical absorptive epithelium and follicle-associated epithelial (FAE) cells. Erosion of the dome surface epithelium revealed basal lamina pores in the region over the subepithelial lymphoid follicles. These pores were present at hatching. Morphometric analysis of dome and pore areas revealed that the pore area decreases in relation to dome area with aging.

CONCLUSIONS

Basal lamina pores may provide a communication route between the lymphoid follicles and the external environment via the FAE cells. Also, the close association between the FAE cells of the epithelial domes, the epithelial pores, the capillary complex of the previously described bursal--blood barrier, and the subepithelial lymphoid follicles could represent a morphological "pore complex" that matures early in posthatching development and may be related to the immunological function of the bursa.

Modeling transport kinetics in clinoptilolite-phosphate rock systems

Nutrient release in clinoptilolite-phosphate rock (Cp-PR) systems occurs through dissolution and cation-exchange reactions. Investigating the kinetics of these reactions expands our understanding of nutrient release processes. Research was conducted to model transport kinetics of nutrient release in Cp-PR systems. The objectives were to identify empirical models that best describe NH4, K, and P release and define diffusion-controlling processes. Materials included a Texas clinoptilolite (Cp) and North Carolina phosphate rock (PR). A continuous-flow thin-disk technique was used. Models evaluated included zero order, first order, second order, parabolic diffusion, simplified Elovich, Elovich, and power function. The power-function, Elovich, and parabolic-diffusion models adequately described NH4, K, and P release. The power-function model was preferred because of its simplicity. Models indicated nutrient release was diffusion controlled. Primary transport processes controlling nutrient release for the time span observed were probably the result of a combination of several interacting transport mechanisms.

Solubility and cation exchange in phosphate rock and saturated clinoptilolite mixtures

Mixtures of zeolite and phosphate rock (PR) have the potential to provide slow-release fertilization of plants in synthetic soils by dissolution and ion-exchange reactions. This study was conducted to examine solubility and cation-exchange relationships in mixtures of PR and NH4- and K-saturated clinoptilolite (Cp). Batch-equilibration experiments were designed to investigate the effect of PR source, the proportion of exchangeable K and NH4, and the Cp to PR ratio on solution N, P, K, and Ca concentrations. The dissolution and cation-exchange reactions that occurred after mixing NH4- and K-saturated Cp with PR increased the solubility of the PR and simultaneously released NH4 and K into solution. The more reactive North Carolina (NC) PR rendered higher solution concentrations of NH4 and K when mixed with Cp than did Tennessee (TN) PR. Solution P concentrations for the Cp-NC PR mixture and the Cp-TN PR mixture were similar. Solution concentrations of N, P, K, and Ca and the ratios of these nutrients in solution varied predictably with the type of PR, the Cp/PR ratio, and the proportions of exchangeable K and NH4 on the Cp. Our research indicated that slow-release fertilization using Cp/PR media may provide adequate levels of N, P, and K to support plant growth. Solution Ca concentrations were lower than optimum for plant growth.

Lunar outpost agriculture

America's long-term commitment to a new Space Exploration Initiative has focused attention on the basic requirements for establishing a permanently manned lunar outpost and, ultimately, a martian one. High among these is the development of Regenerative Life Support Systems--with lunar agriculture an essential component--to provide a high level of self-sufficiency.

Genetic mapping and physiological consequences of metE mutations of Bacillus subtilis

Three metE mutations of Bacillus subtilis, which cause cells to have a 25- to 200-fold decrease in L-methionine S-adenosyltransferase (EC 2.5.1.6) activity, were mapped between bioB and thr. The corresponding three metE mutants contained three- to fourfold less intracellular S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) but at least sevenfold more methionine than the metE+ strain when grown in synthetic medium. This indicates a strong feedback control of SAM on its synthesis. However, only the metE2 strain, with the lowest SAM concentration, grew at a slightly lower rate than the parent, which showed that an intracellular concentration of about 25 microM SAM was critical for growth at the normal rate. Neither DNA methylation (measured by bacteriophage luminal diameter 105 restriction) nor sporulation was affected at this low SAM concentration. Addition of methionine to the growth medium caused an increase in the pool of SAM in some but not all metE mutants. Coaddition of adenine did not change this result. However, the extent of sporulation (induced by mycophenolic acid) was decreased 50-fold in all mutants by the addition of methionine and adenine. Therefore, the combination of methionine and adenine suppresses sporulation regardless of whether it causes an increase in the level of SAM.

Immersible probe for continual monitoring of the population density of microorganisms grown in liquid media

A common technique of measuring population density of microorganisms grown in liquid media is to withdraw a sample of the suspension and measure its apparent optical density with a spectrophotometer. The device we describe is capable of continually and automatically monitoring the population density of microorganisms grown in suspension.

An ethA mutation in Bacillus subtilis 168 permits induction of sporulation by ethionine and increases DNA modification of bacteriophage phi 105

In contrast to Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium, Bacillus subtilis could convert ethionine to S-adenosylethionine (SAE), as can Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This conversion was essential for growth inhibition by ethionine because metE mutants which were deficient in S-adenosylmethionine synthetase activity, were resistant to 10 mM ethionine and converted only a small amount of ethionine to SAE. Another mutation (ethA1) produced partial resistance to ethionine (2 mM) and enabled continual sporulation in glucose medium containing 4 mM DL-ethionine. This sporulation induction probably resulted from the effect of SAE, since it was abolished by the addition of a metE1 mutation. The induction of sporulation was not simply controlled by the ratio of SAE to S-adenosylmethionine, but apparently depended on another effect of the ethA1 mutation, which could be demonstrated by comparing the restriction of clear plaque mutants of bacteriophage phi 105 grown in an ethA1 strain with the restriction of those grown in the standard strain. The phages grown in the ethA1 strain showed increased protection against BsuR restriction. We propose that SAE induces sporulation through the inhibition of a key methylation reaction.

Recovery from energy deficit in golden hamsters

Hamsters feeding at greater than 2-h intermeal intervals (IMI) lose weight but recover from weight losses without hyperphagia if they are allowed to feed at 2-h IMIs (Am. J. Physiol. 236 (Endocrinol. Metab. Gastrointest. Physiol. 5): E105-E112, 1979). To determine the relative importance of changes in energy expenditure and fat synthesis in their energy regulation, measurements were made of resting metabolic rate, respiration by brown adipose tissue (BAT), locomotion, fecal energy content, and insulin and hepatic lipogenic enzyme responses to feeding in underweight hamsters allowed to feed at 2- or 5-h IMIs. Energy deficit suppressed the resting metabolic rate and general locomotor activity and increased the activity of fatty acid synthetase (FAS). Heat production by BAT increased in underweight hamsters. Increase in IMIs blocked the postprandial insulin release, reduced plasma insulin concentration and FAS activity, and increased malic enzyme activity. Thus ad libitum feeding hamsters recover from energy deficit by reducing energy expenditure, whereas failure to add additional meals and impaired insulin and changed lipogenic responses to feeding produce energy deficits in infrequently feeding hamsters.

Evidence for a blood-bursa barrier

By use of horseradish peroxidase (Sigma Type II) as a vascular tracer the competence of the bursal microvasculature was evaluated in 15-day-old chicks. Within 5 min circulation time tracer could be identified only within the vascular tree with no leakage into the perivascular or extracellular spaces. After 10 min circulation time tracer was no longer present in the bursal vessels. Since no tracer was ever identified among the parenchymal elements of the organ these data suggest that a blood-organ (blood-bursa) barrier may exist similar to that found in thymus and brain.

The musculus complexus of normal and dystrophic chicken embryos

Abnormalities have previously been reported in the pectoral muscle of embryos and young chicks from a pure strain of New Hampshire Red chickens homozygous for inherited muscular dystrophy. Fine structural studies of the musculus complexus in normal and dystrophic embryos were undertaken because of a sharp decrease in hatching by the diseased birds. Ultrastructural differences found between the normal and dystrophic embryos included a leached sarcoplasm, swollen and distorted mitochondria and tubular components, a lack of polyribosomes (myosin synthesis), and the formation of pseudostraps during differentiation of the myopathic hatching muscle. These differences may curtail differentiation until a point after the critical hatching time.

An analysis of the integrity of the brachial motor unit in the dystrophic chick embryo

In New Hampshire chickens, the primary clinical symptom of dystrophy is limitation of wing motility. Examination of the brachial-level motor unit in chick embryos homozygous for dystrophy reveals abnormalities in both muscular and neural components. Wing motility in these embryos is abnormal as early as six days, and there is a corresponding lack of differentiation of the pectoralis major muscle. The findings suggest that delayed development of brachial-level neuronal pathways is responsible for the decreased wing motility and early degeneration of the pectoral muscle.

Sarcomere formation in dystrophic skeletal muscle

Early aspects of in vivo sarcomere organization were studied using normal and dystrophic New Hampshire chick embryos. Brachial somites 17-22 were removed from stages 16 through 28 embryos, processed for electron microscopy, and analyzed. Comparisons of normal and dystrophic material disclosed that thick filaments appeared later in dystrophic myotomal cells. This was correlated with a similar delay in the appearance of long polyribosomes. By stage 28, normal myotomal cells contained well-defined sarcomeres, whereas dystrophic sarcomeres were frequently unorganized, with myofilaments in poor longitudinal alignment. Periodic tubules were poorly developed or lacking.

Aspects of normal and dystrophic chicken muscle grown in vitro

Pectoral muscle from normal and dystrophic New Hampshire chicken embryos was dissociated and grown in vitro. Marked differences between the two types of cell cultures were observed with the light and electron microscopes during early myogenic stages. The diseased myoblasts assumed a polarized affect and fused into smaller and fewer myotubes. Pseudostraps rather than true muscle straps were often seen in diseased cultures. There was also a delay in the appearance of myosin containing thick myofilaments in differentiating dystrophic muscle cells.

Early detection of inherited muscular dystrophy in chickens

New Hampshire chickens, homozygous for inherited muscular dystrophy, display clinical manifestations at an early age. A fine structural examination of embryos from this strain shows marked degenerative changes four days prior to hatching. The Z bands appear to dissolve progressively to the point where finally the myofibrils become uniformly dense with no detectable banding patterns.

Sarcotubular development in dystrophic skeletal muscle cells

Dilations of the sarcotubular system and misaligned myofilaments have been reported as early indicators of muscular dystrophy in skeletal muscle. Since the developing tubular component is believed instrumental in initial myofilament alignment during myogenesis, tubular development is evaluated using normal and dystrophic chick embryo skeletal muscle and cultures of normal and dystrophic embryonic pectoral muscle incubated in the presence of horse spleen ferritin. Comparisons of the findings show that periodic tubules are absent from dystrophic somitic muscle and that invaginating tubules from the sarcolemma are found in fewer, randomly located areas of dystrophic pectoral muscle cells. The results indicate that the tubular component is not involved in the bizarre vesiculations seen in mature dystrophic muscle, however, the malalignment of dystrophic myofilaments is probably the result of the poorer development of the T system in this muscle.

Ultrastructural, cyto- and biochemical observations during turnover of plasma membrane in duck salt gland

The mechanism of plasma membrane turnover was investigated using the duckling salt gland as a model system. Feeding fresh water to salt-stressed ducklings results in a decrease in the Na, K-ATPase in salt gland to non-stressed levels in about 7 days, as measured by ATP hydrolysis and 3H-ouabain binding. Electron micrographs reveal that this is accompanied by a decrease in plasma membrane infoldings on the basal and lateral borders of gland secretory cells. Simultaneously there is an increase in filamentous material and a rise in acid phosphatase and peptidase activities in these cells. Cytochemistry shows that the acid phosphatase activity is mostly associated with the basal or basolateral regions of secretory cells. These ovservations could indicate that the removal of plasma membrane components is accomplished by internalization and digestion within the secretory cells.

Ultrastructure of the salivary bladder of the nine-banded armadillo

The nine-banded armadillo possesses a salivary bladder which is a dilated portion of the main duct of the submandibular gland at its origin. The wall of the bladder is composed of an epithelium, a submucosa and a thick coat of skeletal muscle. The ultrastructure of the epithelium reveals that it is complex and consists of three cell types: 1) principal cells, 2) light cells, and 3) basal cells. The general organization of the epithelium suggests that it is a transporting type of epithelium such as that found in the amphibian and reptilian and reptilian urinary bladders and the mammalian gall bladder. The submucosa is composed primarily of densely-packed collagen fibers. The skeletal muscle is very vascular and richly innervated.

The sulfur cycle

Even granting our uncertainties about parts of our model of the sulfur cycle, we can draw some conclusions from it: 1) Man is now contributing about one half as much as nature to the total atmospheric burden of sulfur compounds, but by A.D. 2000 he will be contributing about as much, and in the Northern Hemisphere alone he will be more than matching nature. 2) In industrialized regions he is overwhelming natural processes, and the removal processes are slow enough (several days, at least) so that the increased concentration is marked for hundreds to thousands of kilometers downwind. 3) Our main areas of uncertainty, and ones that demand immediate attention because of their importance to the regional air pollution question, are: (i) the rates of conversion of H(2)S and SO(2) to sulfate particles in polluted as well as unpolluted atmospheres; (ii) the efficiency of removal of sulfur compounds by precipitation in polluted air. And for a better understanding of the global model we need to know: (i) the amount of biogenic H(2)S that enters the atmosphere over the continents and coastal areas; (ii) means of distinguishing man-made and biogenic contributions to excess sulfate in air and precipitation; (iii) the volcanic production of sulfur compounds, and their influence on the particle concentration in the stratosphere; (iv) the large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns that exchange air between stratosphere and troposphere (although absolute amounts of sulfate particles involved are small relative to the lower tropospheric burden); (v) the role of the oceans as sources or sinks for SO(2).

Extra-Chromosomal DNA in Early Stages of Oogenesis in Acheta Domesticus

A large extra-chromosomal DNA body is found in gonial and oocyte nuclei of Acheta domesticus. Somatic cells within the ovary do not contain the DNA body which is limited to the nuclei of gametogenic cells. During early prophase of meiosis this body is spherically shaped and intensely Feulgen positive. Electron microscopy shows it to be composed of tightly packed fibrogranular material. The body is formed in the nuclei of premeiotic interphase cells where it first appears and a mass of dense chromatin material located within the nucleolus. In nuclei of early prophase cells the body is closely associated with the nuclear membrane. It increases in size, reaching a maximum in mid-pachytene nuclei. During late pachytene-early diplotene stage of meiosis the tight fibrillar material within the body loosens and takes on a less compact appearance. At the same time large fascicles of RNA-containing material accumulate within and around the DNA body. The amount of RNA material surrounding the body increases as the oocytes proceed into an arrested diplotene stage of development.

Immunochemical and ultrastructural studies of myosin synthesis

Images

Electron-Microscopic Studies on a Double-Stranded Beaded Filament of Embryonic Collagen

Beaded filaments consisting of paired 40-Å strands in parallel coupled by 150-Å beads at periodic spacings of 640 Å have been isolated from embryonic pig dermis. These filaments are found in association with embryonic collagenous fibrils and exclusively at sites of active fibrillogenesis of collagen. They have been identified within sectioned native fibrils as well as in interfibrillar regions. Furthermore, they have been recovered from fibrils denatured by exposure to alkalinity or to heat. In those instances, the filaments are packed in parallel array and the component beads are registered to produce a banding pattern with a major 640 Å repeat.

The strands of the complex are composed of non-rigid fibrous protein as deduced from their fixation with aldehyde fixatives and from their degradation by urea. The beads are also proteinaceous, as indicated by their susceptibility to tryptic digestion. Moreover, these beads contain lipid, since they stain with lipid stains and dissolve in lipid solvents. Additional evidence suggests the inclusion of polysaccharide in the beads: periodic acid destroys these structures, and in native fibrils silver staining for carbohydrate occurs at loci of registered beads. The structural integrity of the conjugated protein bead does not depend upon the lipid or polysaccharide components, since lipases or β-amylase do not digest the structures.

The filament proper is collagenase-resistant, but trypsin-sensitive. The latter enzyme bisects the beaded filament, forming single-stranded filaments with alternating 640-Å and 200-Å segments between beads. The double-stranded filaments are soluble in acid solutions below pH 4 but are stable at higher pH's through 9-10.

The beaded filament fits into the scheme of extracellular collagen fibrillogenesis as the primary stable fibril or protofibril of collagen. It is presented as a doublet of procollagen fibrils which serves as a template for the polymerization of tropocollagen into additional beaded filaments. Aligned in parallel array and in register as they are assembled, the aggregate of beaded filaments is built into an immature fibril. By the establishment of interfilamentous cross-links, the individuality of the beaded filament is lost within the progressively maturing fibril.