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Marín-Moreno A, Benestad SL, Barrio T, Pirisinu L, Espinosa JC, Tran L, Huor A, Di Bari MA, Eraña H, Maddison BC, D'Agostino C, Fernández-Borges N, Canoyra S, Jerez-Garrido N, Castilla J, Spiropoulos J, Bishop K, Gough KC, Nonno R, Våge J, Andréoletti O, Torres JM. Classical BSE dismissed as the cause of CWD in Norwegian red deer despite strain similarities between both prion agents. Vet Res 2024; 55:62. [PMID: 38750594 PMCID: PMC11097568 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-024-01320-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The first case of CWD in a Norwegian red deer was detected by a routine ELISA test and confirmed by western blotting and immunohistochemistry in the brain stem of the animal. Two different western blotting tests were conducted independently in two different laboratories, showing that the red deer glycoprofile was different from the Norwegian CWD reindeer and CWD moose and from North American CWD. The isolate showed nevertheless features similar to the classical BSE (BSE-C) strain. Furthermore, BSE-C could not be excluded based on the PrPSc immunohistochemistry staining in the brainstem and the absence of detectable PrPSc in the lymphoid tissues. Because of the known ability of BSE-C to cross species barriers as well as its zoonotic potential, the CWD red deer isolate was submitted to the EURL Strain Typing Expert Group (STEG) as a BSE-C suspect for further investigation. In addition, different strain typing in vivo and in vitro strategies aiming at identifying the BSE-C strain in the red deer isolate were performed independently in three research groups and BSE-C was not found in it. These results suggest that the Norwegian CWD red deer case was infected with a previously unknown CWD type and further investigation is needed to determine the characteristics of this potential new CWD strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Marín-Moreno
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA), Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Tomas Barrio
- UMR École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse (ENVT), 1225 Interactions Hôtes-Agents Pathogènes, Institut National Pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (INRAE), Toulouse, France
| | - Laura Pirisinu
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Juan Carlos Espinosa
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA), Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Linh Tran
- Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Ås, Norway
| | - Alvina Huor
- UMR École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse (ENVT), 1225 Interactions Hôtes-Agents Pathogènes, Institut National Pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (INRAE), Toulouse, France
| | - Michele Angelo Di Bari
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Hasier Eraña
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Basque Foundation for Science, Bizkaia Technology Park & IKERBASQUE, Bizkaia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Carlos III National Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ben C Maddison
- RSK- ADAS Ltd, Technology Drive, Beeston, Nottingham, UK
| | - Claudia D'Agostino
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Natalia Fernández-Borges
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA), Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Canoyra
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA), Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Nuria Jerez-Garrido
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA), Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Joaquín Castilla
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Basque Foundation for Science, Bizkaia Technology Park & IKERBASQUE, Bizkaia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Carlos III National Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Keith Bishop
- RSK- ADAS Ltd, Technology Drive, Beeston, Nottingham, UK
| | | | - Romolo Nonno
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Jorn Våge
- Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Ås, Norway
| | - Olivier Andréoletti
- UMR École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse (ENVT), 1225 Interactions Hôtes-Agents Pathogènes, Institut National Pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (INRAE), Toulouse, France
| | - Juan María Torres
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA), Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain.
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2
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Kopycka K, Maddison BC, Gough KC. Recombinant ovine prion protein can be mutated at position 136 to improve its efficacy as an inhibitor of prion propagation. Sci Rep 2023; 13:3452. [PMID: 36859422 PMCID: PMC9978027 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-30202-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are progressive neurodegenerative disorders with no effective therapeutics. The central event leading to the pathology in the diseases is the conversion of PrPC into PrPSc and its accumulation in the central nervous system. Previous studies demonstrated that recombinant PrP (rPrP) and PrP peptides can inhibit the formation of PrPSc. Here, the effectiveness of ovine rPrP mutants at codon 136 and peptides derived from this region were assessed for their ability to inhibit PrPSc replication, using protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA). Based on a rPrP VRQ (rVRQ) genotype background (positions 136, 154 and 171) and mutations at position 136, the most effective inhibitors were V136R, V136K and V136P mutants, with IC50 values of 1 to 2 nM; activities much more potent than rVRQ (114 nM). rRRQ and rKRQ were also shown to effectively inhibit multiple ruminant prion amplification reactions that used distinct prion strain seeds and substrate PRNP genotypes. rRRQ, rKRQ and rPRQ were also shown to effectively protect Rov9 cells from scrapie infection when applied at 250 nM. The study demonstrates for the first time that the rPrP sequence can be mutated at sites known to be involved in prion disease susceptibility, to produce inhibitors with improved efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Kopycka
- grid.4563.40000 0004 1936 8868School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham, College Rd., Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, LE12 5RD Leicestershire UK
| | - Ben C. Maddison
- ADAS Biotechnology, Unit 27, Beeston Business Park, Technology Drive, Beeston, NG9 1LA Nottinghamshire UK
| | - Kevin C. Gough
- grid.4563.40000 0004 1936 8868School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham, College Rd., Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, LE12 5RD Leicestershire UK
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3
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Spiliotopoulos A, Maurer SK, Tsoumpeli MT, Bonfante JAF, Owen JP, Gough KC, Dreveny I. Next-Generation Phage Display to Identify Peptide Ligands of Deubiquitinases. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2591:189-218. [PMID: 36350550 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2803-4_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Phage display (PD) is a powerful method and has been extensively used to generate monoclonal antibodies and identify epitopes, mimotopes, and protein interactions. More recently, the combination of next-generation sequencing (NGS) with PD (NGPD) has revolutionized the capabilities of the method by creating large data sets of sequences from affinity selection-based approaches (biopanning) otherwise challenging to obtain. NGPD can monitor motif enrichment, allow tracking of the selection process over consecutive rounds, and highlight unspecific binders. To tackle the wealth of data obtained, bioinformatics tools have been developed that allow for identifying specific binding sequences (binders) that can then be validated. Here, we provide a detailed account of the use of NGPD experiments to identify ubiquitin-specific protease peptide ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasios Spiliotopoulos
- Biodiscovery Institute, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, Sutton Bonington Campus, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, UK
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Sigrun K Maurer
- Biodiscovery Institute, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Maria T Tsoumpeli
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, Sutton Bonington Campus, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, UK
| | - Juan A F Bonfante
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, Sutton Bonington Campus, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, UK
| | - Jonathan P Owen
- ADAS UK, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK
| | - Kevin C Gough
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, Sutton Bonington Campus, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, UK.
| | - Ingrid Dreveny
- Biodiscovery Institute, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
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4
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Tsoumpeli MT, Varghese A, Owen JP, Maddison BC, Daly JM, Gough KC. Mapping Polyclonal Antibody Responses to Infection Using Next-Generation Phage Display. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2702:467-487. [PMID: 37679636 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3381-6_25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Peptide phage display has historically been used to epitope map monoclonal antibodies. More recently, by coupling this method with next-generation sequencing (so-called next-generation phage display, NGPD) to mass screen peptide binding events, the methodology has been successfully applied to map polyclonal antibody responses to infection. This leads to the identification of panels of mimotopes that represent the pathogen's epitopes. One potential advantage of using such an approach is that the mimotopes can represent not just linear epitopes but also conformational epitopes or those produced from post-translational modifications of proteins or from other non-protein macromolecules. The mapping of such complex immunological recognition of a pathogen can inform novel serological assay development and vaccine design. Here, we provide detailed methods for the application of NGPD to identify panels of mimotopes that are recognized specifically by antibodies from individuals with a particular infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria T Tsoumpeli
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, UK
| | - Anitha Varghese
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, UK
| | | | | | - Janet M Daly
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, UK
| | - Kevin C Gough
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, UK.
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5
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Somerville RA, Fernie K, Smith A, Bishop K, Maddison BC, Gough KC, Hunter N. BSE infectivity survives burial for five years with only limited spread. Arch Virol 2019; 164:1135-1145. [PMID: 30799509 PMCID: PMC6420460 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-019-04154-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The carcasses of animals infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), scrapie or chronic wasting disease (CWD) that remain in the environment (exposed or buried) may continue to act as reservoirs of infectivity. We conducted two experiments under near-field conditions to investigate the survival and dissemination of BSE infectivity after burial in a clay or sandy soil. BSE infectivity was either contained within a bovine skull or buried as an uncontained bolus of BSE-infected brain. Throughout the five-year period of the experiment, BSE infectivity was recovered in similar amounts from heads exhumed annually from both types of soil. Very low levels of infectivity were detected in the soil immediately surrounding the heads, but not in samples remote from them. Similarly, there was no evidence of significant lateral movement of infectivity from the buried bolus over 4 years although there was a little vertical movement in both directions. However, bioassay analysis of limited numbers of samples of rain water that had drained through the bolus clay lysimeter indicated that infectivity was present in filtrates. sPMCA analysis also detected low levels of PrPSc in the filtrates up to 25 months following burial, raising the concern that leakage of infectivity into ground water could occur. We conclude that transmissible spongiform encephalopathy infectivity is likely to survive burial for long periods of time, but not to migrate far from the site of burial unless a vector or rain water drainage transports it. Risk assessments of contaminated sites should take these findings into account.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Somerville
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, Scotland, UK
| | - Karen Fernie
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, Scotland, UK
| | - Allister Smith
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, Scotland, UK
| | - Keith Bishop
- ADAS Biotechnology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham, College Rd., Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Ben C Maddison
- ADAS Biotechnology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham, College Rd., Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Kevin C Gough
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham, College Rd., Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK.
| | - Nora Hunter
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, Scotland, UK.
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6
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Spiliotopoulos A, Blokpoel Ferreras L, Densham RM, Caulton SG, Maddison BC, Morris JR, Dixon JE, Gough KC, Dreveny I. Discovery of peptide ligands targeting a specific ubiquitin-like domain-binding site in the deubiquitinase USP11. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:424-436. [PMID: 30373771 PMCID: PMC6333900 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.004469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Revised: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs) reverse ubiquitination and regulate virtually all cellular processes. Defined noncatalytic domains in USP4 and USP15 are known to interact with E3 ligases and substrate recruitment factors. No such interactions have been reported for these domains in the paralog USP11, a key regulator of DNA double-strand break repair by homologous recombination. We hypothesized that USP11 domains adjacent to its protease domain harbor unique peptide-binding sites. Here, using a next-generation phage display (NGPD) strategy, combining phage display library screening with next-generation sequencing, we discovered unique USP11-interacting peptide motifs. Isothermal titration calorimetry disclosed that the highest affinity peptides (KD of ∼10 μm) exhibit exclusive selectivity for USP11 over USP4 and USP15 in vitro Furthermore, a crystal structure of a USP11-peptide complex revealed a previously unknown binding site in USP11's noncatalytic ubiquitin-like (UBL) region. This site interacted with a helical motif and is absent in USP4 and USP15. Reporter assays using USP11-WT versus a binding pocket-deficient double mutant disclosed that this binding site modulates USP11's function in homologous recombination-mediated DNA repair. The highest affinity USP11 peptide binder fused to a cellular delivery sequence induced significant nuclear localization and cell cycle arrest in S phase, affecting the viability of different mammalian cell lines. The USP11 peptide ligands and the paralog-specific functional site in USP11 identified here provide a framework for the development of new biochemical tools and therapeutic agents. We propose that an NGPD-based strategy for identifying interacting peptides may be applied also to other cellular targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasios Spiliotopoulos
- From the Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD
- the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, Sutton Bonington Campus, College Road, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire LE12 5RD
| | - Lia Blokpoel Ferreras
- From the Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD
| | - Ruth M Densham
- the Birmingham Centre for Genome Biology and Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, Medical and Dental Schools, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, and
| | - Simon G Caulton
- From the Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD
| | - Ben C Maddison
- ADAS, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, Bonington Campus, College Road, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, United Kingdom
| | - Joanna R Morris
- the Birmingham Centre for Genome Biology and Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, Medical and Dental Schools, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, and
| | - James E Dixon
- From the Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD
| | - Kevin C Gough
- the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, Sutton Bonington Campus, College Road, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire LE12 5RD,
| | - Ingrid Dreveny
- From the Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD,
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7
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Harper LR, Lawson Handley L, Hahn C, Boonham N, Rees HC, Gough KC, Lewis E, Adams IP, Brotherton P, Phillips S, Hänfling B. Needle in a haystack? A comparison of eDNA metabarcoding and targeted qPCR for detection of the great crested newt ( Triturus cristatus). Ecol Evol 2018; 8:6330-6341. [PMID: 29988445 PMCID: PMC6024127 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Revised: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis is a rapid, cost-effective, non-invasive biodiversity monitoring tool which utilises DNA left behind in the environment by organisms for species detection. The method is used as a species-specific survey tool for rare or invasive species across a broad range of ecosystems. Recently, eDNA and "metabarcoding" have been combined to describe whole communities rather than focusing on single target species. However, whether metabarcoding is as sensitive as targeted approaches for rare species detection remains to be evaluated. The great crested newt Triturus cristatus is a flagship pond species of international conservation concern and the first UK species to be routinely monitored using eDNA. We evaluate whether eDNA metabarcoding has comparable sensitivity to targeted real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) for T. cristatus detection. Extracted eDNA samples (N = 532) were screened for T. cristatus by qPCR and analysed for all vertebrate species using high-throughput sequencing technology. With qPCR and a detection threshold of 1 of 12 positive qPCR replicates, newts were detected in 50% of ponds. Detection decreased to 32% when the threshold was increased to 4 of 12 positive qPCR replicates. With metabarcoding, newts were detected in 34% of ponds without a detection threshold, and in 28% of ponds when a threshold (0.028%) was applied. Therefore, qPCR provided greater detection than metabarcoding but metabarcoding detection with no threshold was equivalent to qPCR with a stringent detection threshold. The proportion of T. cristatus sequences in each sample was positively associated with the number of positive qPCR replicates (qPCR score) suggesting eDNA metabarcoding may be indicative of eDNA concentration. eDNA metabarcoding holds enormous potential for holistic biodiversity assessment and routine freshwater monitoring. We advocate this community approach to freshwater monitoring to guide management and conservation, whereby entire communities can be initially surveyed to best inform use of funding and time for species-specific surveys.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Christoph Hahn
- School of Environmental SciencesUniversity of HullHullUK
- Institute of ZoologyUniversity of GrazGrazStyriaAustria
| | - Neil Boonham
- FeraSand HuttonYorkUK
- Newcastle UniversityNewcastle upon TyneUK
| | - Helen C. Rees
- ADASSchool of Veterinary Medicine and ScienceThe University of NottinghamLeicestershireUK
| | - Kevin C. Gough
- School of Veterinary Medicine and ScienceThe University of NottinghamLeicestershireUK
| | | | | | | | | | - Bernd Hänfling
- School of Environmental SciencesUniversity of HullHullUK
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8
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Sachdev D, Gough KC, Flynn RJ. The Chronic Stages of Bovine Fasciola hepatica Are Dominated by CD4 T-Cell Exhaustion. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1002. [PMID: 28871261 PMCID: PMC5566560 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Fasciola hepatica infection of ruminants leads to non-resolving chronic infection, as patency develops, there is switching to a TGF-β and IL-10 led response. Here, we explore the responses of CD4 T-cells within the major draining lymph nodes. We found minimal expression of Foxp3 within CD4 cells but elevated levels within the γδ (WC1+) population. There is a strong T-cell-intrinsic exhaustion phenotype within the hepatic lymph node (HLN) characterized by a lack of antigen-specific proliferation and cytokine secretion. CD4 T-cells recovered from the HLN had high levels of PD-1 expression and low levels of IL-2 secretion. Exogenous IL-2 partially rescued this defect; when combined with neutralization of IL-10 and TGF-β, full restoration of proliferation, and cytokine production was achieved. Moreover, there is a clear uncoupling of the mechanisms that facilitate this regulation with parasite-specific proliferation and cytokine secretion being governed by independent means. These data would suggest that there is a CD4 T-cell-intrinsic regulation in place early in chronic infection, potentially leading to failure in resistance to reinfection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Sachdev
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin C Gough
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Robin J Flynn
- Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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9
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Rees HC, Baker CA, Gardner DS, Maddison BC, Gough KC. The detection of great crested newts year round via environmental DNA analysis. BMC Res Notes 2017; 10:327. [PMID: 28747216 PMCID: PMC5530555 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-017-2657-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) is a method that has been used for the detection of various species within water bodies. The great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) has a short eDNA survey season (mid-April to June). Here we investigate whether this season could be extended into other months using the current methodology as stipulated by Natural England. Results Here we present data to show that in monthly water samples taken from two ponds (March 2014–February 2015) we were able to detect great crested newt DNA in all months in at least one of the ponds. Similar levels of great crested newt eDNA (i.e. highly positive identification) were detected through the months of March–August, suggesting it may be possible to extend the current survey window. In order to determine how applicable these observations are for ponds throughout the rest of the UK, further work in multiple other ponds over multiple seasons is suggested. Nevertheless, the current work clearly demonstrates, in two ponds, the efficacy and reproducibility of eDNA detection for determining the presence of great crested newts. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13104-017-2657-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen C Rees
- ADAS, SVMS, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK.
| | - Claire A Baker
- ADAS, SVMS, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - David S Gardner
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Ben C Maddison
- ADAS, SVMS, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Kevin C Gough
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK
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10
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Workman RG, Maddison BC, Gough KC. Ovine recombinant PrP as an inhibitor of ruminant prion propagation in vitro. Prion 2017; 11:265-276. [PMID: 28665745 PMCID: PMC5553304 DOI: 10.1080/19336896.2017.1342919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are fatal and incurable neurodegenerative diseases of humans and animals. Despite years of research, no therapeutic agents have been developed that can effectively manage or reverse disease progression. Recently it has been identified that recombinant prion proteins (rPrP) expressed in bacteria can act as inhibitors of prion replication within the in vitro prion replication system protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA). Here, within PMCA reactions amplifying a range of ruminant prions including distinct Prnp genotypes/host species and distinct prion strains, recombinant ovine VRQ PrP displayed consistent inhibition of prion replication and produced IC50 values of 122 and 171 nM for ovine scrapie and bovine BSE replication, respectively. These findings illustrate the therapeutic potential of rPrPs with distinct TSE diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rob G Workman
- a School of Veterinary Medicine and Science , The University of Nottingham , Sutton Bonington , Leicestershire , UK
| | - Ben C Maddison
- b ADAS, The University of Nottingham , Sutton Bonington , Leicestershire , UK
| | - Kevin C Gough
- a School of Veterinary Medicine and Science , The University of Nottingham , Sutton Bonington , Leicestershire , UK
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11
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O'Connor MJ, Bishop K, Workman RG, Maddison BC, Gough KC. In vitro amplification of H-type atypical bovine spongiform encephalopathy by protein misfolding cyclic amplification. Prion 2017; 11:54-64. [PMID: 28281929 PMCID: PMC5360153 DOI: 10.1080/19336896.2016.1259051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The in vitro amplification of prions by serial protein misfolding cyclic amplification has been shown to detect PrPSc to levels at least as sensitive as rodent bioassay but in a fraction of the time. Bovine spongiform encephalopathy is a zoonotic prion disease in cattle and has been shown to occur in 3 distinct forms, classical BSE (C-BSE) and 2 atypical BSE forms (L-BSE and H-BSE). Atypical forms are usually detected in asymptomatic, older cattle and are suggested to be spontaneous forms of the disease. Here, we show the development of a serial protein misfolding cyclic amplification method for the detection of H-BSE. The assay could detect PrPSc from 3 distinct experimental isolates of H-BSE, could detect PrPSc in as little as 1×10−12 g of brain material and was highly specific. Additionally, the product of serial protein misfolding cyclic amplification at all dilutions of seed analyzed could be readily distinguished from L-BSE, which did not amplify, and C-BSE, which had PrPSc with distinct protease K-resistance and protease K-resistant PrPSc molecular weights.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J O'Connor
- a School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus , College Road, Sutton Bonington , Leicestershire , UK
| | - Keith Bishop
- b ADAS UK, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus , College Road, Sutton Bonington , Leicestershire , UK
| | - Robert G Workman
- a School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus , College Road, Sutton Bonington , Leicestershire , UK
| | - Ben C Maddison
- b ADAS UK, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus , College Road, Sutton Bonington , Leicestershire , UK
| | - Kevin C Gough
- a School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus , College Road, Sutton Bonington , Leicestershire , UK
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Sulaiman AA, Zolnierczyk K, Japa O, Owen JP, Maddison BC, Emes RD, Hodgkinson JE, Gough KC, Flynn RJ. A Trematode Parasite Derived Growth Factor Binds and Exerts Influences on Host Immune Functions via Host Cytokine Receptor Complexes. PLoS Pathog 2016; 12:e1005991. [PMID: 27806135 PMCID: PMC5091765 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The trematode Fasciola hepatica is responsible for chronic zoonotic infection globally. Despite causing a potent T-helper 2 response, it is believed that potent immunomodulation is responsible for rendering this host reactive non-protective host response thereby allowing the parasite to remain long-lived. We have previously identified a growth factor, FhTLM, belonging to the TGF superfamily can have developmental effects on the parasite. Herein we demonstrate that FhTLM can exert influence over host immune functions in a host receptor specific fashion. FhTLM can bind to receptor members of the Transforming Growth Factor (TGF) superfamily, with a greater affinity for TGF-β RII. Upon ligation FhTLM initiates the Smad2/3 pathway resulting in phenotypic changes in both fibroblasts and macrophages. The formation of fibroblast CFUs is reduced when cells are cultured with FhTLM, as a result of TGF-β RI kinase activity. In parallel the wound closure response of fibroblasts is also delayed in the presence of FhTLM. When stimulated with FhTLM blood monocyte derived macrophages adopt an alternative or regulatory phenotype. They express high levels interleukin (IL)-10 and arginase-1 while displaying low levels of IL-12 and nitric oxide. Moreover they also undergo significant upregulation of the inhibitory receptor PD-L1 and the mannose receptor. Use of RNAi demonstrates that this effect is dependent on TGF-β RII and mRNA knock-down leads to a loss of IL-10 and PD-L1. Finally, we demonstrate that FhTLM aids newly excysted juveniles (NEJs) in their evasion of antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC) by reducing the NO response of macrophages—again dependent on TGF-β RI kinase. FhTLM displays restricted expression to the F. hepatica gut resident NEJ stages. The altered fibroblast responses would suggest a role for dampened tissue repair responses in facilitating parasite migration. Furthermore, the adoption of a regulatory macrophage phenotype would allow for a reduced effector response targeting juvenile parasites which we demonstrate extends to an abrogation of the ADCC response. Thus suggesting that FhTLM is a stage specific evasion molecule that utilises host cytokine receptors. These findings are the first to clearly demonstrate the interaction of a helminth cytokine with a host receptor complex resulting in immune modifications that facilitate the non-protective chronic immune response which is characteristic of F. hepatica infection. Parasitic worms, helminths, can cause long-lived chronic infection in many hosts that they infection. The liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica, is one such parasite causing global infection of both humans and animals. F. hepatica exerts an influence over the immune system such that it avoids effector mechanisms and prevents the development of effective immunity. Here we characterise a molecule—FhTLM—derived from juvenile parasites that is similar to the regulatory cytokine TGF-β. We show that FhTLM will bind to host TGF-β receptors with a reduced affinity when compared with mammalian TGF-β. Despite this FhTLM can induce Smad2/3 signalling in host leukocytes, which is key to initiating gene transcription. Phenotypically FhTLM causes fibroblasts to slow their growth and replication response resulting in slower wound healing. Importantly FhTLM induces a macrophage phenotype that resembles a regulatory macrophage phenotype identified in other species undergoing helminth infection. Finally we Our work highlights the potential of FhTLM to play important roles in controlling host immunity when initially infected with juvenile parasites, thereby preventing the development of effective immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azad A. Sulaiman
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, the University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Katarzyna Zolnierczyk
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, the University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ornampai Japa
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, the University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- School of Medicine, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand
| | - Jonathan P. Owen
- ADAS UK, the University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ben C. Maddison
- ADAS UK, the University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Richard D. Emes
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, the University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Jane E. Hodgkinson
- Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin C. Gough
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, the University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Robin J. Flynn
- Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Konold T, Hawkins SAC, Thurston LC, Maddison BC, Gough KC, Duarte A, Simmons HA. Objects in Contact with Classical Scrapie Sheep Act as a Reservoir for Scrapie Transmission. Front Vet Sci 2015; 2:32. [PMID: 26664961 PMCID: PMC4672192 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2015.00032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Classical scrapie is an environmentally transmissible prion disease of sheep and goats. Prions can persist and remain potentially infectious in the environment for many years and thus pose a risk of infecting animals after re-stocking. In vitro studies using serial protein misfolding cyclic amplification (sPMCA) have suggested that objects on a scrapie-affected sheep farm could contribute to disease transmission. This in vivo study aimed to determine the role of field furniture (water troughs, feeding troughs, fencing, and other objects that sheep may rub against) used by a scrapie-infected sheep flock as a vector for disease transmission to scrapie-free lambs with the prion protein genotype VRQ/VRQ, which is associated with high susceptibility to classical scrapie. When the field furniture was placed in clean accommodation, sheep became infected when exposed to either a water trough (four out of five) or to objects used for rubbing (four out of seven). This field furniture had been used by the scrapie-infected flock 8 weeks earlier and had previously been shown to harbor scrapie prions by sPMCA. Sheep also became infected (20 out of 23) through exposure to contaminated field furniture placed within pasture not used by scrapie-infected sheep for 40 months, even though swabs from this furniture tested negative by PMCA. This infection rate decreased (1 out of 12) on the same paddock after replacement with clean field furniture. Twelve grazing sheep exposed to field furniture not in contact with scrapie-infected sheep for 18 months remained scrapie free. The findings of this study highlight the role of field furniture used by scrapie-infected sheep to act as a reservoir for disease re-introduction although infectivity declines considerably if the field furniture has not been in contact with scrapie-infected sheep for several months. PMCA may not be as sensitive as VRQ/VRQ sheep to test for environmental contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timm Konold
- Animal Sciences Unit, Animal and Plant Health Agency Weybridge , Addlestone , UK
| | - Stephen A C Hawkins
- Pathology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency Weybridge , Addlestone , UK
| | - Lisa C Thurston
- Surveillance and Laboratory Services, Animal and Plant Health Agency Penrith , Penrith , UK
| | - Ben C Maddison
- ADAS UK, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham , Sutton Bonington , UK
| | - Kevin C Gough
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham , Sutton Bonington , UK
| | - Anthony Duarte
- Animal Sciences Unit, Animal and Plant Health Agency Weybridge , Addlestone , UK
| | - Hugh A Simmons
- Animal Sciences Unit, Animal and Plant Health Agency Weybridge , Addlestone , UK
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14
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Gough KC, Maddison BC, Shikotra A, Moiseeva EP, Yang W, Jarvis S, Bradding P. Evidence for a novel Kit adhesion domain mediating human mast cell adhesion to structural airway cells. Respir Res 2015; 16:86. [PMID: 26173671 PMCID: PMC4501212 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-015-0245-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2014] [Accepted: 07/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human lung mast cells (HLMCs) infiltrate the airway epithelium and airway smooth muscle (ASM) in asthmatic airways. The mechanism of HLMC adhesion to both cell types is only partly defined, and adhesion is not inhibited by function-blocking anti-Kit and anti-stem cell factor (SCF) antibodies. Our aim was to identify adhesion molecules expressed by human mast cells that mediate adhesion to human ASM cells (HASMCs) and human airway epithelial cells. METHODS We used phage-display to isolate single chain Fv (scFv) antibodies with adhesion-blocking properties from rabbits immunised with HLMC and HMC-1 membrane proteins. RESULTS Post-immune rabbit serum labelled HLMCs in flow cytometry and inhibited their adhesion to human BEAS-2B epithelial cells. Mast cell-specific scFvs were identified which labelled mast cells but not Jurkat cells by flow cytometry. Of these, one scFv (A1) consistently inhibited mast cell adhesion to HASMCs and BEAS-2B epithelial cells by about 30 %. A1 immunoprecipitated Kit (CD117) from HMC-1 lysates and bound to a human Kit-expressing mouse mast cell line, but did not interfere with SCF-dependent Kit signalling. CONCLUSION Kit contributes to human mast cell adhesion to human airway epithelial cells and HASMCs, but may utilise a previously unidentified adhesion domain that lies outside the SCF binding site. Targeting this adhesion pathway might offer a novel approach for the inhibition of mast cell interactions with structural airway cells, without detrimental effects on Kit signalling in other tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin C Gough
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, College Road, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK.
| | - Ben C Maddison
- ADAS UK, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, College Road, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK.
| | - Aarti Shikotra
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Institute for Lung Health, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
| | - Elena P Moiseeva
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Institute for Lung Health, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
| | - Weidong Yang
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Institute for Lung Health, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
| | - Shila Jarvis
- ADAS UK, Biology Department, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK.
| | - Peter Bradding
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Institute for Lung Health, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK. .,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Glenfield Hospital, Groby Rd, Leicester, LE3 9QP, UK.
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Rees HC, Gough KC, Middleditch DJ, Patmore JRM, Maddison BC. Applications and limitations of measuring environmental DNA as indicators of the presence of aquatic animals. J Appl Ecol 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Helen C. Rees
- ADAS UK Ltd; School of Veterinary Medicine and Science; The University of Nottingham; Sutton Bonington Campus Loughborough LE12 5RD UK
| | - Kevin C. Gough
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science; The University of Nottingham; Sutton Bonington Campus Loughborough LE12 5RD UK
| | | | | | - Ben C. Maddison
- ADAS UK Ltd; School of Veterinary Medicine and Science; The University of Nottingham; Sutton Bonington Campus Loughborough LE12 5RD UK
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16
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Maddison BC, Spiropoulos J, Vickery CM, Lockey R, Owen JP, Bishop K, Baker CA, Gough KC. Incubation of ovine scrapie with environmental matrix results in biological and biochemical changes of PrP(Sc) over time. Vet Res 2015; 46:46. [PMID: 25928902 PMCID: PMC4415298 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-015-0179-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2014] [Accepted: 04/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovine scrapie can be transmitted via environmental reservoirs. A pool of ovine scrapie isolates were incubated on soil for one day or thirteen months and eluted prion was used to challenge tg338 mice transgenic for ovine PrP. After one-day incubation on soil, two PrPSc phenotypes were present: G338 or Apl338ii. Thirteen months later some divergent PrPSc phenotypes were seen: a mixture of Apl338ii with either G338 or P338, and a completely novel PrPSc deposition, designated Cag338. The data show that prolonged ageing of scrapie prions within an environmental matrix may result in changes in the dominant PrPSc biological/biochemical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben C Maddison
- ADAS UK, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, College Road, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, UK.
| | - John Spiropoulos
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, UK.
| | | | - Richard Lockey
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, UK. .,Current address: University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK.
| | - Jonathan P Owen
- ADAS UK, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, College Road, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, UK.
| | - Keith Bishop
- ADAS UK, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, College Road, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, UK.
| | - Claire A Baker
- ADAS UK, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, College Road, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, UK.
| | - Kevin C Gough
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, College Road, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, UK.
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Gough KC, Baker CA, Simmons HA, Hawkins SA, Maddison BC. Circulation of prions within dust on a scrapie affected farm. Vet Res 2015; 46:40. [PMID: 25889731 PMCID: PMC4397813 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-015-0176-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2014] [Accepted: 03/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are fatal neurological disorders that affect humans and animals. Scrapie of sheep/goats and Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) of deer/elk are contagious prion diseases where environmental reservoirs have a direct link to the transmission of disease. Using protein misfolding cyclic amplification we demonstrate that scrapie PrPSc can be detected within circulating dusts that are present on a farm that is naturally contaminated with sheep scrapie. The presence of infectious scrapie within airborne dusts may represent a possible route of infection and illustrates the difficulties that may be associated with the effective decontamination of such scrapie affected premises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin C Gough
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK.
| | - Claire A Baker
- ADAS UK, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK.
| | - Hugh A Simmons
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK.
| | - Steve A Hawkins
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK.
| | - Ben C Maddison
- ADAS UK, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK.
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18
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Daly JM, King B, Tarlinton RA, Gough KC, Maddison BC, Blowey R. Comparison of Schmallenberg virus antibody levels detected in milk and serum from individual cows. BMC Vet Res 2015; 11:56. [PMID: 25890260 PMCID: PMC4381408 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-015-0365-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2014] [Accepted: 02/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Schmallenberg virus (SBV) is a recently emerged virus of ruminants in Europe. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) are commonly used to detect SBV-specific antibodies in bulk tank milk samples to monitor herd exposure to infection. However, it has previously been shown that a bulk tank milk sample can test positive even though the majority of cows within the herd are seronegative for SBV antibodies. Development of a pen-side test to detect antibodies in individual milk samples would potentially provide a cheaper test (for which samples are obtained non-invasively) than testing individual serum samples by ELISA. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the agreement between antibody levels measured in milk and serum. Results Corresponding milk and serum samples from 88 cows in two dairy herds in the UK were tested for presence of immunoglobulin G antibodies to SBV using a commercially-available indirect ELISA. A serum neutralisation test (NT) was also performed as a gold standard assay. The ELISA values obtained for the bulk tank milk samples corresponded with the mean values for individual milk samples from each herd (bulk tank milk values were 58% and 73% and mean individual milk values 50% and 63% for herds A and B, respectively). Of the 88 serum samples tested in the NT, 82 (93%) were positive. Although at higher antibody levels, the ELISA values tended to be higher for the individual milk samples than for the corresponding serum samples, the positive predictive value for milk samples was 98% and for serum samples 94%. The serum ELISA was more likely to give false positive results around the lower cut-off value of the assay. Conclusions The results indicate that testing of individual milk samples for antibodies against SBV by ELISA could be used to inform decisions in the management of dairy herds such as which, if any, animals to vaccinate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet M Daly
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Nottingham, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK.
| | - Barnabas King
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Nottingham, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK.
| | - Rachael A Tarlinton
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Nottingham, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK.
| | - Kevin C Gough
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Nottingham, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK.
| | - Ben C Maddison
- ADAS Biotechnology Group, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Nottingham, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK.
| | - Roger Blowey
- Wood Veterinary Group, 125 Bristol Road, Quedgeley, Gloucester, GL2 4NB, UK.
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19
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Naqid IA, Owen JP, Maddison BC, Gardner DS, Foster N, Tchórzewska MA, La Ragione RM, Gough KC. Prebiotic and probiotic agents enhance antibody-based immune responses to Salmonella Typhimurium infection in pigs. Anim Feed Sci Technol 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2014.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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20
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Hawkins SAC, Simmons HA, Gough KC, Maddison BC. Persistence of ovine scrapie infectivity in a farm environment following cleaning and decontamination. Vet Rec 2014; 176:99. [PMID: 25362003 DOI: 10.1136/vr.102743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Scrapie of sheep/goats and chronic wasting disease of deer/elk are contagious prion diseases where environmental reservoirs are directly implicated in the transmission of disease. In this study, the effectiveness of recommended scrapie farm decontamination regimens was evaluated by a sheep bioassay using buildings naturally contaminated with scrapie. Pens within a farm building were treated with either 20,000 parts per million free chorine solution for one hour or were treated with the same but were followed by painting and full re-galvanisation or replacement of metalwork within the pen. Scrapie susceptible lambs of the PRNP genotype VRQ/VRQ were reared within these pens and their scrapie status was monitored by recto-anal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue. All animals became infected over an 18-month period, even in the pen that had been subject to the most stringent decontamination process. These data suggest that recommended current guidelines for the decontamination of farm buildings following outbreaks of scrapie do little to reduce the titre of infectious scrapie material and that environmental recontamination could also be an issue associated with these premises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steve A C Hawkins
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Hugh A Simmons
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Kevin C Gough
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Ben C Maddison
- ADAS UK, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK
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21
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Rees HC, Bishop K, Middleditch DJ, Patmore JRM, Maddison BC, Gough KC. The application of eDNA for monitoring of the Great Crested Newt in the UK. Ecol Evol 2014; 4:4023-32. [PMID: 25505530 PMCID: PMC4242556 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2014] [Revised: 09/03/2014] [Accepted: 09/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Current ecological surveys for great crested newts are time-consuming and expensive and can only be carried out within a short survey window. Additional survey methods which would facilitate the detection of rare or protected species such as the great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) would be extremely advantageous. Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis has been utilized for the detection of great crested newts in Denmark. Here, the same methodology has been applied to water samples taken from UK ponds concurrently with conventional field surveying techniques. Our eDNA analysis exhibited an 84% success rate with a kappa coefficient of agreement between field and eDNA surveys of 0.86. One pond determined to be negative for great crested newt by field survey was positive by eDNA analysis, revealing the potential for improved detection rates using this methodology. Analysis of water samples collected in late summer indicates that eDNA analysis could be used to detect great crested newt after the optimal survey window for current field techniques had passed. Consequently, eDNA analysis could augment currently stipulated techniques for great crested newt surveying as a relatively quick and inexpensive tool for collecting great crested newt presence and distribution data within the UK instead of or prior to full field surveys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen C Rees
- ADAS UK Ltd, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, U.K
| | - Keith Bishop
- ADAS UK Ltd, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, U.K
| | | | - James R M Patmore
- ADAS Wolverhampton, ADAS UK Ltd Pendeford House, Pendeford Business Park, Wobaston Road, Wolverhampton, WV9 5AP, U.K
| | - Ben C Maddison
- ADAS UK Ltd, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, U.K
| | - Kevin C Gough
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, U.K
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22
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Rees HC, Maddison BC, Middleditch DJ, Patmore JR, Gough KC. REVIEW: The detection of aquatic animal species using environmental DNA - a review of eDNA as a survey tool in ecology. J Appl Ecol 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 574] [Impact Index Per Article: 57.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Helen C. Rees
- ADAS UK Ltd; School of Veterinary Medicine and Science; The University of Nottingham; Sutton Bonington Campus; Loughborough LE12 5RD Leicestershire UK
| | - Ben C. Maddison
- ADAS UK Ltd; School of Veterinary Medicine and Science; The University of Nottingham; Sutton Bonington Campus; Loughborough LE12 5RD Leicestershire UK
| | | | - James R.M. Patmore
- ADAS Wolverhampton; ADAS UK Ltd; Pendeford House, Pendeford Business Park, Wobaston Road Wolverhampton WV9 5AP UK
| | - Kevin C. Gough
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science; The University of Nottingham; Sutton Bonington Campus; Loughborough LE12 5RD Leicestershire UK
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Smith CM, Fry SC, Gough KC, Patel AJF, Glenn S, Goldrick M, Roberts IS, Whitelam GC, Andrew PW. Recombinant plants provide a new approach to the production of bacterial polysaccharide for vaccines. PLoS One 2014; 9:e88144. [PMID: 24498433 PMCID: PMC3912152 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0088144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2013] [Accepted: 01/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial polysaccharides have numerous clinical or industrial uses. Recombinant plants could offer the possibility of producing bacterial polysaccharides on a large scale and free of contaminating bacterial toxins and antigens. We investigated the feasibility of this proposal by cloning and expressing the gene for the type 3 synthase (cps3S) of Streptococcus pneumoniae in Nicotinia tabacum, using the pCambia2301 vector and Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated gene transfer. In planta the recombinant synthase polymerised plant-derived UDP-glucose and UDP-glucuronic acid to form type 3 polysaccharide. Expression of the cps3S gene was detected by RT-PCR and production of the pneumococcal polysaccharide was detected in tobacco leaf extracts by double immunodiffusion, Western blotting and high-voltage paper electrophoresis. Because it is used a component of anti-pneumococcal vaccines, the immunogenicity of the plant-derived type 3 polysaccharide was tested. Mice immunised with extracts from recombinant plants were protected from challenge with a lethal dose of pneumococci in a model of pneumonia and the immunised mice had significantly elevated levels of serum anti-pneumococcal polysaccharide antibodies. This study provides the proof of the principle that bacterial polysaccharide can be successfully synthesised in plants and that these recombinant polysaccharides could be used as vaccines to protect against life-threatening infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire M. Smith
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester, Leicestershire, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen C. Fry
- The Edinburgh Cell Wall Group, Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin C. Gough
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, United Kingdom
| | - Alexandra J. F. Patel
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester, Leicestershire, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Glenn
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester, Leicestershire, United Kingdom
| | - Marie Goldrick
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Ian S. Roberts
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Garry C. Whitelam
- Department of Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, Leicestershire, United Kingdom
| | - Peter W. Andrew
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester, Leicestershire, United Kingdom
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24
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Taema MM, Maddison BC, Thorne L, Bishop K, Owen J, Hunter N, Baker CA, Terry LA, Gough KC. Differentiating ovine BSE from CH1641 scrapie by serial protein misfolding cyclic amplification. Mol Biotechnol 2012; 51:233-9. [PMID: 21987099 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-011-9460-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Whilst ovine BSE displays distinct pathological characteristics to ovine CH1641-like scrapie upon passage in rodents, they have very similar molecular phenotypes. As such, the in vitro differentiation of these strains in routine surveillance programmes presents a significant diagnostic challenge. In this study, using serial protein-misfolding cyclic amplification (sPMCA), ovine BSE was readily amplified in vitro in brain substrates from sheep with V₁₃₆R₁₅₄Q₁₇₁/V₁₃₆R₁₅₄Q₁₇₁ or AHQ/AHQ PRNP genotypes. In contrast, the CH1641 strain was refractory to such amplification. This method allowed for complete and unequivocal differentiation of experimental BSE from CH1641 prion strains within an ovine host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maged M Taema
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, College Road, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK
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25
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Abstract
Ovine scrapie and cervid chronic wasting disease can be transmitted in the absence of animal-to-animal contact, and environmental reservoirs of infectivity have been implicated in their spread and persistence. Investigating environmental factors that influence the interaction of disease-associated PrP with soils is imperative to understanding what is likely to be the complex role of soil in disease transmission. Here, we describe the effects of soil temperature on the binding/desorption and persistence of both ovine scrapie- and bovine BSE-PrP (TSE) . Binding of PrP (TSE) to a sandy loam soil at temperatures of 4°C, 8-12°C and 25-30°C demonstrated that an increase in temperature resulted in (1) a decrease in the amount of PrP (TSE) recovered after 24 h of interaction with soil, (2) an increase in the amount of N-terminal cleavage of the prion protein over 11 d and (3) a decrease in the persistence of PrP (TSE) on soil over an 18 mo period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben C Maddison
- ADAS UK, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, UK.
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26
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Abstract
The teaching of biochemistry within medical disciplines presents certain challenges; firstly to relay a large body of complex facts and abstract concepts, and secondly to motivate students that this relatively difficult topic is worth their time to study. Here, nutrient biochemistry was taught within a multidisciplinary module as part of an undergraduate veterinary curriculum. The teaching approach was initially focussed on a mixture of didactic lectures and student-centred activities such as directed group/self learning. In subsequent years the core didactic lectures were replaced with enhanced podcasts covering the same material, along with the introduction of student presentations delivered within groups with both peer and facilitator assessment. These changes were accompanied by an increase in the time dedicated to this topic to allow sufficient time for students to work through podcasts and prepare presentations. The combination of these changes resulted in significant improvements in student performance within an in-course biochemistry long essay. These changes in the teaching approach, and particularly the introduction of extensive podcasts, was well received by students who perceived the process of going through the podcasts as time consuming but allowing them flexibility in both the pace that they studied this topic as well as the location and times that they studied it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin C Gough
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK.
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27
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Terry LA, Howells L, Bishop K, Baker CA, Everest S, Thorne L, Maddison BC, Gough KC. Detection of prions in the faeces of sheep naturally infected with classical scrapie. Vet Res 2011; 42:65. [PMID: 21592355 PMCID: PMC3112104 DOI: 10.1186/1297-9716-42-65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2010] [Accepted: 05/18/2011] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Classical scrapie is a naturally transmitted prion disease of sheep and goats. Contaminated environments may contribute to the spread of disease and evidence from animal models has implicated urine, blood, saliva, placenta and faeces as possible sources of the infection. Here we sought to determine whether sheep naturally infected with classical scrapie shed prions in their faeces. We used serial protein misfolding cyclic amplification (sPMCA) along with two extraction methods to examine faeces from sheep during both the clinical and preclinical phases of the disease and showed amplification of PrPSc in 7 of 15 and 14 of 14 sheep respectively. However PrPSc was not amplified from the faeces of 25 sheep not exposed to scrapie. These data represent the first demonstration of prion shedding in faeces from a naturally infected host and thus a likely source of prion contamination in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda A Terry
- Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK.
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28
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Tarlinton RE, Yon L, Klisch K, Tötemeyer S, Gough KC. Confidence as a barrier to the use of problem-based learning in veterinary undergraduate students. J Vet Med Educ 2011; 38:305-310. [PMID: 22023983 DOI: 10.3138/jvme.38.3.305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Problem-based or case-based learning is a popular method of instruction in clinical degrees such as veterinary science, nursing, and medicine. It is difficult, however, for students to adapt to this learning method, and this difficulty has been well described. The present study surveyed first-year undergraduate veterinary students at the University of Nottingham about the challenges they faced upon beginning problem-based learning sessions. A surprisingly large percentage of students (36% of females and 38% of males) reported a lack of confidence in speaking in front of the other students as a concern they experienced during their first term. Conversely, only 10% of the female students (and none of the male students) reported overconfidence as a problem. This is in contrast to the perceptions of the staff members who facilitated the sessions who reported that 14% of the students exhibited underconfidence and 14% exhibited overconfidence. The difference between the female and male students' responses as well as the difference between the perceptions of students and those of facilitators is statistically significant (G-test p<.05).
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29
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Abstract
This paper describes the isolation of monoclonal antibodies and the development of competitive immunoassays to pesticide metabolites of the fungicides imazalil, carbendazim and thiabendazole. The metabolite specific hydroxyl residues were used as the reactive group with which to link the metabolite to the carrier proteins Keyhole Limpet Haemocyanin (KLH) and Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA). In each case immune responses in mice were raised and monoclonal antibodies were produced. Antibodies were developed into competitive ELISAs to the appropriate metabolite. The antibody raised to a metabolite of imazalil was optimised into a competitive ELISA format which had an assay IC50 of 7.5 μg/L and a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.1 μg/L. A single antibody isolated against the metabolite of carbendazim had assay IC50s of 3.2 and 2.7 μg/L for the metabolites of carbendazim and thiabendazole respectively with an LOD of 0.38 μg/L for both. These sensitive immunoassays may have application in the monitoring of human exposure to these fungicide residues either by occupational or non-occupational routes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin C Gough
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Leicestershire, UK
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30
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Maddison BC, Owen JP, Bishop K, Shaw G, Rees HC, Gough KC. The interaction of ruminant PrP(Sc) with soils is influenced by prion source and soil type. Environ Sci Technol 2010; 44:8503-8508. [PMID: 20968294 DOI: 10.1021/es101591a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The persistence of prions within the environment is implicated in the horizontal transmission of ovine scrapie and cervid chronic wasting disease. Description of the interaction of prion strains derived from their natural hosts with a range of soil types is imperative in understanding how prions persist in the environment and, therefore, the characteristics of prion transmission. Here, we demonstrate that all detectable ovine scrapie and bovine BSE PrP(Sc) bind to a range of soil types within 24 h. This highly efficient binding of prions to soils is characterized by truncation of desorbed PrP(Sc) in a soil-dependent manner, with clay-rich soils resulting in N-terminal truncation of the PrP(Sc) and sand-rich soils yielding full length PrP(Sc) species. PrP(Sc) did not migrate through soil columns during incubation for up to 18 months, and for all combinations of soil and prion types, a decrease in recoverable PrP(Sc) was seen over time. Persistence of PrP(Sc) within soil and their interaction with soil particles of distinct sizes was dictated by both the soil type and the source of the prion, with ovine scrapie being apparently more persistent in some soils than cattle BSE. These data indicate that natural ruminant prion strains are stable in the soil environment for at least 18 months and that PrP(Sc)-soil interaction is dictated by both the soil properties and the strain/host species of PrP(Sc).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben C Maddison
- ADAS U.K., Department of Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
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31
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Abstract
Prion diseases range from being highly infectious, for example scrapie and CWD, which show facile transmission between susceptible individuals, to showing negligible horizontal transmission, such as BSE and CJD, which are spread via food or iatrogenically, respectively. Scrapie and CWD display considerable in vivo dissemination, with PrP(Sc) and infectivity being found in a range of peripheral tissues. This in vivo dissemination appears to facilitate the recently reported excretion of prion through multiple routes such as from skin, feces, urine, milk, nasal secretions, saliva and placenta. Furthermore, excreted scrapie and CWD agent is detected within environmental samples such as water and on the surfaces of inanimate objects. The cycle of "uptake of prion from the environment--widespread in vivo prion dissemination--prion excretion--prion persistence in the environment" is likely to explain the facile transmission and maintenance of these diseases within wild and farmed populations over many years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin C Gough
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Sutton Bonington, UK.
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32
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Maddison BC, Rees HC, Baker CA, Taema M, Bellworthy SJ, Thorne L, Terry LA, Gough KC. Prions are secreted into the oral cavity in sheep with preclinical scrapie. J Infect Dis 2010; 201:1672-6. [PMID: 20402590 DOI: 10.1086/652457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
A major concern in prion disease transmission is the spread of the disease agent by means of secretions and excretions. We analyzed buccal swab samples obtained from preclinical scrapie-infected sheep by concentrating the collected prions on silicon dioxide, followed by amplification by serial protein misfolding cyclic amplification. Data clearly demonstrate that prions are present in buccal swab samples from sheep with a VRQ/VRQ PRNP genotype during preclinical scrapie infection. These data describe for the first time to our knowledge the secretion of prions into the oral cavity of sheep, a finding with implications for the transmission of ovine scrapie and very likely other prion diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben C Maddison
- ADAS UK, Department of Biology, University of Leicester, Leicestershire, United Kingdom
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33
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Gough KC, Patel S, Baker CA, Maddison BC. Development of immunoassays for the detection of the fungicide penconazole and its urinary metabolite. J Agric Food Chem 2009; 57:9393-9399. [PMID: 19803521 DOI: 10.1021/jf9031469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies were raised to haptens containing moieties common to both the triazole fungicide penconazole and its proposed primary urinary metabolite (4-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-(H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)pentoic acid). The monoclonal antibody 2E4 was used to develop competitive ELISA assays where binding of antibody to immobilized haptens conjugated to BSA competed with penconazole or its metabolite in solution. At pH 4.0 and pH 8.0, penconazole was detected with an IC50 of 1.0-1.2 microg/L respectively and at pH 4 penconazole metabolite was detected with an IC50 of 0.9 microg/L. These assays were specific for penconazole and/or its metabolite compared to other triazole fungicides. The immunoassay conditions optimal for penconazole metabolite (pH 4.0) were used and applied to the analysis of spiked human urine, and following sample extraction using a C18 SPE column, could detect 0.5 microg/L metabolite. This is the first report of an immunoassay to the urinary metabolite of penconazole, an assay with application in the monitoring of occupational and non-occupational exposure to this commonly used pesticide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin C Gough
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK
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34
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Abstract
Prions can be amplified by serial protein misfolding cyclic amplification (sPMCA) from the milk of a high proportion of apparently healthy, scrapie exposed sheep with PRNP genotypes not previously associated with high disease penetrance. These data strongly suggest the widespread presence of subclinical scrapie infections within scrapie-exposed flocks containing sheep with a range of susceptible PRNP genotypes. These data also lead to the hypothesis that similar subclinical disease states may be common for other animal and human prion diseases. Furthermore, the application of sPMCA to milk provides a method to detect such subclinical disease. Here, we describe the high level amplification of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) prions from both ovine and bovine origin, a methodology that will facilitate the detection of any prions secreted within bovine and ovine milk during subclinical and clinical BSE disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin C Gough
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, UK.
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35
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Rees HC, Maddison BC, Owen JP, Whitelam GC, Gough KC. Concentration of disease-associated prion protein with silicon dioxide. Mol Biotechnol 2008; 41:254-62. [PMID: 19058035 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-008-9129-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2008] [Accepted: 11/15/2008] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Reagents that can precipitate the disease-associated prion protein (PrP(Sc)) are vital for the development of high sensitivity tests to detect low levels of this disease marker in biological material. Here, a range of minerals are shown to precipitate both ovine cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) and ovine scrapie PrP(Sc). The precipitation of prion protein with silicon dioxide is unaffected by PrP(Sc) strain or host species and the method can be used to precipitate bovine BSE. This method can reliably concentrate protease-resistant ovine PrP(Sc) (PrP(res)) derived from 1.69 microg of brain protein from a clinically infected animal diluted into either 50 ml of buffer or 15 ml of plasma. The introduction of a SiO(2) precipitation step into the immunological detection of PrP(res) increased detection sensitivity by over 1,500-fold. Minerals such as SiO(2) are readily available, low cost reagents with generic application to the concentration of diseases-associated prion proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen C Rees
- Department of Biology, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
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36
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Owen JP, Rees HC, Maddison BC, Terry LA, Thorne L, Jackman R, Whitelam GC, Gough KC. Molecular profiling of ovine prion diseases by using thermolysin-resistant PrPSc and endogenous C2 PrP fragments. J Virol 2007; 81:10532-9. [PMID: 17652380 PMCID: PMC2045483 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00640-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Disease-associated PrP fragments produced upon in vitro or in vivo proteolysis can provide significant insight into the causal strain of prion disease. Here we describe a novel molecular strain typing assay that used thermolysin digestion of caudal medulla samples to produce PrPres signatures on Western blots that readily distinguished experimental sheep bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) from classical scrapie. Furthermore, the accumulation of such PrPres species within the cerebellum also appeared to be dependent upon the transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) strain, allowing discrimination between two experimental strains of scrapie and grouping of natural scrapie isolates into two profiles. The occurrence of endogenously produced PrP fragments, namely, glycosylated and unglycosylated C2, within different central nervous system (CNS) regions is also described; this is the first detailed description of such scrapie-associated fragments within a natural host. The advent of C2 fragments within defined CNS regions, compared between BSE and scrapie cases and also between two experimental scrapie strains, appeared to be largely dependent upon the TSE strain. The combined analyses of C2 fragments and thermolysin-resistant PrP species within caudal medulla, cerebellum, and spinal cord samples allowed natural scrapie isolates to be separated into four distinct molecular profiles: most isolates produced C2 and PrPres in all CNS regions, a second group lacked detectable cerebellar C2 fragments, one isolate lacked both cerebellar PrPres and C2, and a further isolate lacked detectable C2 within all three CNS regions and also lacked cerebellar PrPres. This CNS region-specific deposition of disease-associated PrP species may reflect the natural heterogeneity of scrapie strains in the sheep population in the United Kingdom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan P Owen
- ADAS UK, Department of Biology, Adrian Building, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, Leicestershire, United Kingdom
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37
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Owen JP, Maddison BC, Whitelam GC, Gough KC. Use of thermolysin in the diagnosis of prion diseases. Mol Biotechnol 2007; 35:161-70. [PMID: 17435282 DOI: 10.1007/bf02686111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/1999] [Revised: 11/30/1999] [Accepted: 11/30/1999] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The molecular diagnosis of prion diseases almost always involves the use of a protease to distinguish PrPC from PrPSc and invariably the protease of choice is proteinase K. Here, we have applied the protease thermolysin to the diagnosis of animal prion diseases. This thermostable protease cleaves at the hydrophobic residues Leu, Ile, Phe, Val, Ala, and Met, residues that are absent from the protease accessible aminoterminal region of PrPSc. Therefore, although thermolysin readily digests PrPC into small protein fragments, full-length PrPSc is resistant to such proteolysis. This contrasts with proteinase K digestion where an aminoterminally truncated PrPSc species is produced, PrP27-30. Thermolysin was used in the diagnosis of ovine scrapie and bovine spongiform encephalopathy and produced comparable assay sensitivity to assays using proteinase K digestion. Furthermore, we demonstrated the concentration of thermolysin-resistant PrPSc using immobilized metal-affinity chromatography. The use of thermolysin to reveal a full-length PrPSc has application for the development of novel immunodiagnostics by exploiting the wide range of commercially available immunoreagents and metal affinity matrices that bind the amino-terminal region of PrP. In addition, thermolysin provides a complementary tool to proteinase K to allow the study of the contribution of the amino-terminal domain of PrPSc to disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan P Owen
- ADAS UK, Department of Biology, Adrian Building, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
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38
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Abstract
Cellular prion protein, PrP(C), is essential for the development of prion diseases where it is considered to be a substrate for the formation of the disease-associated conformer, PrP(Sc). In sheep, PrP(C) is abundant in neuronal tissue and is also found at lower concentrations in a range of non-neuronal tissues, including mammary gland. Here, we demonstrate the presence of soluble PrP(C) in the non-cellular, non-lipid fraction of clarified ovine milk. Compared with brain-derived PrP(C), ovine milk PrP(C) displays an increased electrophoretic mobility. Ovine milk PrP(C) is mainly present as three species that differ in the extent of their N-linked glycosylation, with glycoform profiles varying among animals. Similar PrP(C) species are also present in fresh and commercial homogenised/pasteurised bovine milk, with additional N-terminal PrP(C) fragments detectable in ruminant milk and commercial milk products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben C Maddison
- ADAS UK, Department of Biology, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
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39
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Maddison BC, Patel S, James RF, Conlon HE, Oidtmann B, Baier M, Whitelam GC, Gough KC. Generation and characterisation of monoclonal antibodies to Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) prion protein. J Immunol Methods 2005; 306:202-10. [PMID: 16225888 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2005.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2005] [Revised: 07/26/2005] [Accepted: 09/07/2005] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
We report the production and characterisation of three monoclonal antibodies to the prion protein (PrP) of Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), a piscine protein with characteristic structural features common to mammalian prion protein. All of the antibodies were used to detect PrP in ELISA, Western blot and by immunohistochemistry. The antibodies showed specificity for certain genera of the Salmonidae, binding to PrP of Rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) but not to that from Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus). Using the immunoreagents in Western blots, we demonstrated that O. mykiss PrP protein is a 64 kDa protein present in brain, spinal chord and optic nerve. PrP was not detected in a range of peripheral tissues: eye, heart, stomach, intestine, liver, kidney, spleen, muscle and skin. Furthermore, PrP could be detected in all brain regions studied: optic lobe, cerebrum/olfactory lobe, cerebellum, hypothalamus/pituitary and medulla oblongata and was widespread within these tissues as determined by immunohistochemistry. These immunoreagents provide specific tools to study the biology of Rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon PrP and any possible transmissible spongiform encephalopathy-like disease of these economically important fish species.
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Affiliation(s)
- B C Maddison
- ADAS, Animal Health and Welfare, Biotechnology Group, Department of Biology, University of Leicester, Adrian Building, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, Leicestershire, UK
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40
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La Ragione RM, Patel S, Maddison B, Woodward MJ, Best A, Whitelam GC, Gough KC. Recombinant anti-EspA antibodies block Escherichia coli O157:H7-induced attaching and effacing lesions in vitro. Microbes Infect 2005; 8:426-33. [PMID: 16298154 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2005.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2005] [Accepted: 07/13/2005] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Intimin and EspA proteins are virulence factors expressed by attaching and effacing Escherichia coli (AEEC) such as enteropathogenic and enterohaemorrhagic E. coli. The EspA protein makes up a filament structure forming part of the type III secretion system (TTSS) that delivers effector proteins to the host epithelial cell. Bacterial surface displayed intimin interacts with translocated intimin receptor in the host cell membrane leading to intimate attachment of the bacterium and subsequent attaching and effacing lesions. Here, we have assessed the use of recombinant monoclonal antibodies against E. coli O157:H7 EspA and intimin for the disruption of AEEC interaction with the host cell. Anti-gamma intimin antibodies did not reduce either adhesion of E. coli O157:H7 to host cell mono-layers or subsequent host cell actin rearrangement. Anti-EspA antibodies similarly had no effect on bacterial adhesion however they had a marked effect upon E. coli O157:H7-induced host cell actin rearrangement, where both monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies completely blocked cytoskeletal changes within the host cell. Furthermore, these anti-EspA antibodies were shown to reduce actin rearrangement induced by some but not all other AEEC serotypes tested. Both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies could be used to label E. coli O157 EspA filaments and these immunoreagents did not inhibit the formation of such filaments. This is the first report of monoclonal antibodies to EspA capable of disrupting the TTSS function of E. coli O157:H7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto M La Ragione
- Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Department of Food and Environmental Safety, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
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41
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Kühne SA, Hawes WS, La Ragione RM, Woodward MJ, Whitelam GC, Gough KC. Isolation of recombinant antibodies against EspA and intimin of Escherichia coli O157:H7. J Clin Microbiol 2004; 42:2966-76. [PMID: 15243046 PMCID: PMC446247 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.42.7.2966-2976.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Intimin, Tir, and EspA proteins are expressed by attaching-effacing Escherichia coli, which include enteropathogenic and enterohemorrhagic E. coli pathotypes. EspA proteins are part of the type three secretion system needle complex that delivers Tir to the host epithelial cell, while surface arrayed intimin docks the bacterium to the translocated Tir. This intimate attachment leads to attaching and effacing lesions. Recombinant forms of these effector proteins from enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157:H7 were produced by using E. coli expression vectors. Binding of intimin and Tir fragments in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISAs) demonstrated the interaction of intimin fragments containing the C-terminal 282 or 188 amino acids to a Tir fragment containing amino acid residues 258 to 361. Recombinant intimin and EspA proteins were used to elicit immune responses in rabbits and immune phage-display antibody libraries were produced. Screening of these immune libraries by conventional phage-antibody panning and colony filter screening produced a panel of antibodies with specificity for EspA or intimin. Antibodies recognizing different C-terminal epitopes on intimin bound specifically to the gamma intimin of O157:H7 and not to other classes of intimin. Antibodies recognizing EspA from E. coli O157 also recognized the protein from the eae-deficient O157 mutant DM3 and from E. coli O111. Anti-intimin antibodies were also produced as fusion proteins coupled to the reporter molecule alkaline phosphatase, allowing the one-step detection of gamma intimin. The isolated recombinant monoclonal antibodies were functional in a range of assay formats, including ELISA, Western blotting, and dot blots, thus demonstrating their diagnostic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Kühne
- Department of Biology, Adrian Building, University of Leicester, University Rd., Leicester LE1 7RH, Leicestershire, United Kingdom
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Abstract
Antibodies specific for surface-exposed epitopes on germlings of the plant pathogen, Phytophthora infestans, were isolated from a diverse phage library displaying single-chain Fv (scFv) antibody fragments. The library was subpanned against external soluble components released from mycelia, sporangia and germlings and a discrete population of phage antibodies isolated. Binding of monoclonal phage antibodies was demonstrated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and diversity was established by BstNI restriction enzyme digest patterns. Antibodies were subcloned as fusions at the C-terminus of maltose binding protein (MBP) and expressed as soluble proteins in Escherichia coli. These antibody fusion proteins bound to P. infestans germlings and to mycelial homogenates from various Phytophthora species. The binding activities to mycelial homogenates of fungal species not belonging to the order Peronosporales were substantially lower. Several phage-displayed scFvs were used in conjunction with fluorescently labelled antiphage antibody to visualise the distribution of their cognate epitopes on the surface of the germlings. The combination of procedures developed here with Phytophthora demonstrates the potential of phage antibody technology in isolating antibodies to cell surface and external soluble components of pathogens, some of which may play a role in host/pathogen interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- K C Gough
- Department of Biology, Adrian Building, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, UK
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43
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Abstract
Several discrete peptides that bind specifically to the coat protein of cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) were isolated from a diverse phage library displaying random nonapeptides on the major coat protein VIII. Enrichment was shown by polyclonal phage enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) after three rounds of selection. Sequencing of the genes encoding 10 of these peptides revealed an absence of any conserved motifs, although nine of them contained a high proportion of proline residues. Some of the selected peptides were displayed at the N-terminus of thioredoxin and expressed in the cytoplasm of Escherichia coli. Both the phage-displayed and thioredoxin-fusion versions of the peptides could detect purified CMV and CMV present in crude leaf extracts from infected plants. By dot blot analysis, a thioredoxin-peptide fusion could readily detect as little as 5 ng of CMV. The peptides did not bind to other plant viruses. These peptides have been shown to be specific and highly sensitive tools in the detection of CMV and, as well as their diagnostic potential, they could form the basis for a novel disease resistance strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- K C Gough
- Department of Biology, University of Leicester, Leicestershire, UK.
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