Standardised methods must be used to compare the properties of botulinum toxin serotypes
ABSTRACT
With little doubt, our knowledge about different types of botulinum toxin (BoNT), especially the numerous subtypes, has expanded significantly in recent times. As more subtypes are found, these must be studied in detail and characterised in comparison to the main members of each group. Their pharmacological properties are especially important since any changes, especially in biological activity/potency, need to be identified. (Source: Microbiology and Immunology)
Source: Microbiology and Immunology - September 1, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Andy Pickett Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research
Mycobacterial cord factor enhances migration of neutrophil ‐like HL‐60 cells by prolonging AKT phosphorylation
ABSTRACT
Trehalose 6,6'‐dimycolate (TDM), or cord factor, is a crucial stimulus of immune responses during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Although TDM has immuno‐stimulatory properties, including adjuvant activity and the ability to induce granuloma formation, the mechanisms underlying this activity remain unknown. We hypothesized that TDM stimulates transendothelial migration of neutrophils, which are the first immune cells to infiltrate the tissue upon infection. Here, we show that TDM enhances N‐formylmethionyl‐leucyl‐phenylalanine (fMLP)‐induced chemotaxis and transendothelial movement by prolonging ...
Source: Microbiology and Immunology - September 1, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Wook ‐Bin Lee, Ji‐Jing Yan, Ji‐Seon Kang, Seok Chung, Lark Kyun Kim Tags: Original Article Source Type: research
A novel 111 ‐nucleotide duplication in the G gene of human metapneumovirus
ABSTRACT
In 2017, we detected novel human metapneumovirus (HMPV) A2b subgroup strains with a 111‐nucleotide duplication in the G gene. These were related to previously identified HMPV A2b strains with a 180‐nucleotide duplication, but appeared to be different strains, produced by an independent duplication event. The recent evolution of HMPV suggests that careful monitoring of this virus is required. (Source: Microbiology and Immunology)
Source: Microbiology and Immunology - September 1, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Miwako Saikusa, Naganori Nao, Chiharu Kawakami, Shuzo Usuku, Tadayoshi Sasao, Takahiro Toyozawa, Makoto Takeda, Ichiro Okubo Tags: Note Source Type: research
Efficient isolation of human metapneumovirus using MNT ‐1, a human malignant melanoma cell line exhibiting early and distinct cytopathic effect
ABSTRACT
Isolation of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) from clinical specimens is currently inefficient due to the lack of a cell culture system exhibiting a distinct cytopathic effect (CPE). The cell lines LLC‐MK2, Vero, and Vero E6 are used for isolation of HMPV; however, the CPE in these cell lines is subtle and usually requires a long observation period and sometimes blind passages. Thus, a cell line that exhibits an early and distinct CPE following HMPV inoculation is highly desired by clinical virology laboratories. We demonstrate that the human malignant melanoma cell line MNT‐1 shows obvious syncytium formation sho...
Source: Microbiology and Immunology - September 1, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Ko Sato, Oshi Watanabe, Suguru Ohmiya, Fumiko Chiba, Akira Suzuki, Michiko Okamoto, Jiang Younghuang, Akihiro Hata, Hiroyuki Nonaka, Setsuko Kitaoka, Yukio Nagai, Kazuhisa Kawamura, Masahiro Hayashi, Satoru Kumaki, Tamio Suzuki, Kazuyoshi Kawakami, Hideka Tags: Original Article Source Type: research
Issue Information – Instruction for Authors
(Source: Microbiology and Immunology)
Source: Microbiology and Immunology - August 16, 2017 Category: Microbiology Tags: Issue Information – Instruction for Authors Source Type: research
Large numbers of interleukins ‐22‐ and ‐17A‐producing T helper cells in cholangiocarcinoma related to liver fluke infection
ABSTRACT
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) associated with liver fluke infection involves inflammatory and immune processes; however, whether these involve the proinflammatory cytokine IL‐17A and proliferative cytokine IL‐22 remains unclear. Here, numbers of IL‐22‐ and IL‐17A‐producing Th cells and cytokine concentrations in 30 patients with CCA and long‐term liver fluke infection, 40 patients with liver‐fluke infection but not CCA, and 16 healthy controls were compared. Analyses were performed using immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, ELISA and RT‐PCR. Immunohistochemical staining showed weaker expression of IL...
Source: Microbiology and Immunology - August 16, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Si ‐Biao Su, Jian‐Feng Zhang, Fei‐Fei Huang, Yu Cen, Hai‐Xing Jiang Tags: Original Article Source Type: research
A method for detecting rash and fever illness ‐associated viruses using multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction
In this study, a new multiplex RT‐PCR method for detecting various viral genes in patients with rash and fever illnesses (RFIs) was constructed. New primer sets were designed for detection of herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 (HSV1 and 2), and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV). The newly designed and previously reported primer sets were used to detect 13 types of RFI‐associated viruses by multiplex RT‐PCR assay systems. Moreover, to eliminate non‐specific PCR products, a double‐stranded specific DNase was used to digest double‐stranded DNA derived from the templates in clinical specimens. RFI‐associated viruses were de...
Source: Microbiology and Immunology - August 16, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Yuki Matsushima, Tomomi Shimizu, Ikuko Doi, Fuminori Mizukoshi, Koo Nagasawa, Akihide Ryo, Hideaki Shimizu, Masae Kobayashi, Keiji Funatogawa, Noriko Nagata, Mariko Ishikawa, Ayako Komane, Nobuhiko Okabe, Yoshio Mori, Makoto Takeda, Hirokazu Kimura Tags: Original Article Source Type: research
Issue Information – Cover
Cover photograph: Liver fluke infection can increase bile duct thickness, enhance aggregation of inflammatory cells in hepatic bile ducts and leading to fibrosis, and may cause the development of cholangiocarcinoma. Microbiol Immunol: 61: 345–354. Article link here. (Source: Microbiology and Immunology)
Source: Microbiology and Immunology - August 16, 2017 Category: Microbiology Tags: Cover Image Source Type: research
Identification and characterization of a brilliant yellow pigment produced by Bordetella pertussis
ABSTRACT
Culture supernatant of Bordetella pertussis has a brilliant yellow color; however, the structure and biological role of the pigment have not been investigated. We extracted the brilliant yellow‐colored fraction from the culture supernatant of B. pertussis and analyzed it by HPLC. UV‐visible spectral analysis and mass spectrometry identified the brilliant yellow pigment as riboflavin. Riboflavin production was high in lag and early log phases and riboflavin enhanced the growth of B. pertussis in low‐density cultures. Riboflavin production was not regulated by the BvgAS system. In addition, we also found that ...
Source: Microbiology and Immunology - August 1, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Keita Odanaka, Masato Iwatsuki, Tomomitsu Satho, Mineo Watanabe Tags: Original Article Source Type: research
Characterization of the functional activity of botulinum neurotoxin subtype B6
In this study, we purified the BoNT/B6 holotoxin and compared the biological activity and receptor binding activity of BoNT/B6 to those of the previously‐characterized BoNT/B1 and BoNT/B2 subtypes. The derivative BoNT/B6 was found to be already nicked and in an activated form, thus indicating that endogenous protease production in this strain may be higher than in the other two strains. BoNT/B1 exhibited the highest lethal activity in mice, followed by BoNT/B6, which is consistent with the sensitivity levels of PC12 cells. No significant differences were seen in the enzymatic activities of the BoNT/Bs against their subst...
Source: Microbiology and Immunology - August 1, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Tomoko Kohda, Keiji Nakamura, Koji Hosomi, Yasushi Torii, Shunji Kozaki, Masafumi Mukamoto Tags: Original Article Source Type: research
Lasioglossins LLIII affects the morphogenesis of Candida albicans and reduces the duration of experimental vaginal candidiasis in mice
ABSTRACT
Lasioglossins represent a group of peptides with identified antimicrobial activity. We investigated the inhibitory effects of two synthetic lasioglossin derivatives LLIII and D‐isomeric variant LLIII‐D on the morphological changes of Candida albicans in vitro and the effect of local administration of LLIII during experimental murine candidiasis.C. albicans blastoconidia were grown in the presence of lasioglossin LLIII or LLIII‐D at the concentration of 11.5 μM and 21 μM for 1, 2, and 3 days and the viability was determined by flow cytometry using Eosin Y staining. The morphological changes were determined ...
Source: Microbiology and Immunology - August 1, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Alena Vrablikova, Lydie Czernekova, Romana Cahlikova, Zbynek Novy, Milos Petrik, Saima Imran, Zdenek Novak, Michal Krupka, Vaclav Cerovsky, Jaroslav Turanek, Milan Raska Tags: Original Article Source Type: research
Indices of anti ‐Dengue immunoglobulin G subclasses in adult Mexican patients with febrile and hemorrhagic dengue in the acute phase
In conclusions, the index of subclasses IgG1 and IgG4 were higher in patients with DHF. (Source: Microbiology and Immunology)
Source: Microbiology and Immunology - August 1, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Araceli Posadas ‐Mondragón, José Leopoldo Aguilar‐Faisal, Adolfo Chávez‐Negrete, Edith Guillén‐Salomón, Verónica Alcántara‐Farfán, Lucero Luna‐Rojas, Amanda Marineth Ávila‐Trejo, Judith Pacheco‐Yépez Tags: Original Article Source Type: research
Molecular cloning, characterization and expression of immunoglobulin D (IgD) on pathogen challenge and PAMPs stimulation in freshwater carp, Catla catla
This study indicates the functional importance of teleost IgD in orchestrating tissue specific neutralization of antigens on stimulation with different pathogens and PAMPs. (Source: Microbiology and Immunology)
Source: Microbiology and Immunology - August 1, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Rajanya Banerjee, Bhakti Patel, Madhubanti Basu, Saswati S. Lenka, Mahismita Paicha, Mrinal Samanta, Surajit Das Tags: Original Article Source Type: research
Expression of HLA ‐DRA and CD74 mRNA in whole blood during the course of complicated and uncomplicated Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia
In conclusion, patients with complicated SAB showed lower HLA‐DRA expression than patients with uncomplicated SAB during the first week of bacteremia. (Source: Microbiology and Immunology)
Source: Microbiology and Immunology - August 1, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Gunl ög Rasmussen, Sara Cajander, Anders Bäckman, Jan Källman, Bo Söderquist, Kristoffer Strålin Tags: Original Article Source Type: research
A recombinant iron transport protein from Bordetella pertussis confers protection against Bordetella parapertussis
ABSTRACT
Whooping cough is a reemerging disease caused by Bordetella parapertussis and B. parapertussis. New protective antigens are needed to improve the efficacy of current vaccines against both species. Using proteomic tools we here found that B. parapertussis expresses a homolog of AfuA, a previously reported new vaccine candidate against B. pertussis. We found that this homolog, named as AfuABpp, is expressed during B. parapertussis infection, exposed on the surface of the bacteria and recognized by specific antibodies induced by the recombinant AfuA cloned from B. pertussis (rAfuA). Importantly, the presence of the O...
Source: Microbiology and Immunology - August 1, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Jimena Alvarez Hayes, Juan Marcos Oviedo, Hugo Valdez, Juan Mart ín Laborde, Fabricio Maschi, Miguel Ayala, Rohan Shah, Marcelo Fernandez Lahore, Maria Eugenia Rodriguez Tags: Original Article Source Type: research
