Innate Immunity Provides Biomarkers of Health for Teleosts Exposed to Nanoparticles

In recent years, the unique properties of nanoparticles have fostered novel applications in various fields such as biology, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and others. Unfortunately, their rapid integration into daily life has also led to environmental concerns due to uncontrolled release of nanoparticles into the aquatic environment. Despite increasing awareness of nanoparticle bioaccumulation in the aquatic environment, much remains to be learned about their impact on aquatic organisms and how to best monitor these effects. Herein, we provide the first review of innate immunity as an emerging tool to assess the health of fish following nanoparticle exposure. Fish are widely used as sentinels for aquatic ecosystem pollution and innate immune parameters offer sensitive and reliable tools that can be harnessed for evaluation of contamination events. The most frequent biomarkers highlighted in literature to date include, but are not limited to, parameters associated with leukocyte dynamics, oxidative stress, and cytokine production. Taken together, innate immunity offers finite and sensitive biomarkers for assessment of the impact of nanoparticles on fish health

Evaluation of the antiviral activity of ultraviolet light and zinc oxide nanoparticles on textile products exposed to Avian coronavirus

This research has developed a piece of sanitizing locker-model equipment for textiles exposed to avian coronavirus, which has been put under the influence of UV light, UV + zinc oxide nanoparticles (phytosynthesized ZnONP), and water + UV, and, in turn, under the influence of the exposure time (60, 120, 180 s). The results linked to the phytosynthesis of ZnONP indicate a novel method of fabricating nanostructured material, nanoparticles with spherical morphology and an average size of 30 nm. The assays were made based on the viral viability of avian coronavirus according to the mortality of SPF embryonated eggs and a Real-Time PCR for viral load estimation. This was a model to evaluate the sanitizing effects against coronaviruses since they share a very similar structure and chemistry with SAR-CoV-2. The influence of the type of textile treatment evidenced the potential effect of the sanitizing UV light, which achieved 100% of embryo viability. The response of the ZnONP + UV nebulization showed a notorious influence of photoactivation according to the exposure time, and the 60-s treatment achieved a decrease of 88.9% in viral viability, compared to 77.8% and 55.6% corresponding to the 120 and 180-s treatments, respectively. Regarding the decrease in viral load between the types of treatments, UV 180 s reduced 98.42% and UV 60 s + ZnONP reduced 99.46%, respectively. The results show the combinatorial effect of UV light and zinc nanoparticles in decreasing the viral viability of avian coronavirus, as a model of other important coronaviruses in public health such as SARS-CoV-2

Frecuencia de anticuerpos contra el virus de Influenza A en granjas porcinas tecnificadas con antecedentes de signos clínicos respiratorios en las regiones de Lima, Ica y Arequipa

In Peru there is clinical evidence of the Influenza A virus (VIA) and the presence of antibodies against the VIA in pigs, but there are no official reports of frequency in pig farms in the country. The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of antibodies against VIA in technical farms in Lima, Ica and Arequipa with a history of respiratory problems. Blood samples were obtained from eight age groups of pigs during 2020-2021. Antibodies against VIA were detected using a blocking ELISA test (IDEXX, USA). A total of 283 serum samples from Lima, 287 from Ica and 288 from Arequipa were processed. The overall frequency of antibodies against VIA was 24.9% (95% CI 22.0 – 27.8); while in Lima, Ica and Arequipa it was 33.2% (95% CI 27.8 - 39.0), 19.5% (95% CI 15.1 - 24.6) and 22.2% (95% CI 17.6 - 27.5), respectively. The logistic regression analysis showed that in the Lima region, the age group 0 (up to 21 days) and 5 (91 to 110 days) had a greater chance of presenting antibodies against VIA, although age was not considered a risk factor (OR<1).En el Perú hay evidencia clínica del virus de Influenza A (VIA) y presencia de anticuerpos contra el VIA en cerdos, pero no existen reportes oficiales de frecuencia en granjas porcinas del país. El objetivo del trabajo fue determinar la frecuencia de anticuerpos contra el VIA en granjas tecnificadas de Lima, Ica y Arequipa con antecedentes de problemas respiratorios. Se obtuvieron muestras de sangre de ocho grupos etarios de cerdos durante 2020-2021. La detección de anticuerpos contra el VIA se hizo mediante una prueba de ELISA de bloqueo (IDEXX, USA). Se procesaron 283 muestras de suero de Lima, 287 de Ica y 288 de Arequipa. La frecuencia global de anticuerpos contra el VIA fue de 24.9% (I.C. 95% 22.0 – 27.8); mientras que en Lima, Ica y Arequipa fue de 33.2% (I.C. 95% 27.8 – 39.0), 19.5% (I.C. 95% 15.1 – 24.6) y 22.2% (I.C. 95% 17.6 – 27.5), respectivamente. El análisis de regresión logística mostró que en la región Lima, el grupo etario 0 (hasta 21 días) y 5 (91 a 110 días) tuvo mayor oportunidad de presentar anticuerpos contra el VIA, aunque la edad no se consideró como un factor de riesgo (OR<1)

Efecto de antígenos clostridiales con ácido retinoico sobre la expresión de citoquinas de la respuesta inmune humoral y celular de la mucosa intestinal de crías de alpacas (Vicugna pacos)

Se determinó los niveles de expresión de las principales citoquinas de la respuesta inmune humoral y celular, realizando un análisis in vitro, que consistió en la inoculación de la ácido retinoico y antígenos de Clostridium perfringens, sobre leucocitos de alpaca; y un análisis in vivo, a través de la administración de la combinación a crías de alpacas. En el análisis in vitro, se realizaron evaluaciones a diferentes concentraciones de antígenos clostridiales y ácido retinoico. Para el estudio in vivo se administró el inóculo a una concentración de 0.25mg/Kg de antígeno clostridial (AgCP) y 0.067mM/Kg de ácido retinoico (ATRA) a doble dosis, a alpacas agrupadas en grupo 1, individuos de 1 día; y grupo 2, individuos de 7-14 días, considerando además animales que no recibieron el tratamiento. Los leucocitos inoculados y muestras de intestino de los individuos tratados y sus controles no tratados fueron procesados y analizados mediante cuantificación relativa por RT-PCR tiempo real. En las pruebas in vitro, se encontró un incremento creciente de la expresión de Interferón gamma (IFN-γ) e Interleucina 2 (IL-2) hasta la concentración de 100pg AgCP y 25mUI ATRA. No encontrándose expresión a 10pg AgCP y 250mUI ATRA. Para factor de necrosis tumoral alfa (TNF-α) la expresión fue creciente hasta 10 pg de AgCP y 250mUI ATRA. Para la expresión de interleucina 10 (IL-10), ésta fue máxima a la concentración de 10ng de AgCP y 2.5 mUI de ATRA. El análisis in vivo, mostró una mayor expresión de IFN-gamma (p<0.013), IL-2 (p<0.027) y TNF-alfa (p<0.007), diferencia soportada por los individuos del grupo 2. Además, no se observó diferencia significativa para IL-4 e IL-10. Los resultados muestran efectividad en la estimulación de la respuesta inmune celular más no humoral. Se espera mejorar la respuesta inmune humoral, y así el tratamiento puede convertirse en un futuro cercano, en una alternativa para el control de la enterotoxemia en alpacas.Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico - Fondecy

Efecto de antígenos clostridiales con ácido retinoico sobre la expresión de citoquinas de la respuesta inmune humoral y celular de la mucosa intestinal de crías de alpacas (Vicugna pacos)

Publicación a texto completo no autorizada por el autorDetermina los niveles de expresión de las principales citoquinas de la respuesta inmune humoral y celular, realizando un análisis in vitro, que consistió en la inoculación de la ácido retinoico y antígenos de Clostridium perfringens, sobre leucocitos de alpaca; y un análisis in vivo, a través de la administración de la combinación a crías de alpacas. En el análisis in vitro, se realizaron evaluaciones a diferentes concentraciones de antígenos clostridiales y ácido retinoico. Para el estudio in vivo se administró el inóculo a una concentración de 0.25mg/Kg de antígeno clostridial (AgCP) y 0.067mM/Kg de ácido retinoico (ATRA) a doble dosis, a alpacas agrupadas en grupo 1, individuos de 1 día; y grupo 2, individuos de 7-14 días, considerando además animales que no recibieron el tratamiento. Los leucocitos inoculados y muestras de intestino de los individuos tratados y sus controles no tratados fueron procesados y analizados mediante cuantificación relativa por RT-PCR tiempo real. En las pruebas in vitro, se encontró un incremento creciente de la expresión de Interferón gamma (IFN-γ) e Interleucina 2 (IL-2) hasta la concentración de 100pg AgCP y 25mUI ATRA. No encontrándose expresión a 10pg AgCP y 250mUI ATRA. Para factor de necrosis tumoral alfa (TNF-α) la expresión fue creciente hasta 10 pg de AgCP y 250mUI ATRA. Para la expresión de interleucina 10 (IL-10), ésta fue máxima a la concentración de 10ng de AgCP y 2.5 mUI de ATRA. El análisis in vivo, mostró una mayor expresión de IFN-gamma (p<0.013), IL-2 (p<0.027) y TNF-alfa (p<0.007), diferencia soportada por los individuos del grupo 2. Además, no se observó diferencia significativa para IL-4 e IL-10. Los resultados muestran efectividad en la estimulación de la respuesta inmune celular más no humoral. Se espera mejorar la respuesta inmune humoral, y así el tratamiento puede convertirse en un futuro cercano, en una alternativa para el control de la enterotoxemia en alpacas.Fondo Nacional de Ciencia y TecnologíaFondo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y TecnologíaTesi

Genetic Analysis of Infectious Bronchitis Virus S1 Gene Reveals Novel Amino Acid Changes in the GI-16 Lineage in Peru

Infectious bronchitis is a highly contagious viral disease that represents an economic threat for poultry despite the wide use of vaccination. To characterize the virus circulating in Peru, we analyzed 200 samples, including nasopharyngeal swabs and multiple tissues collected from animals suspected of being infected with infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) between January and August in 2015. All animals had at least one positive sample for IBV by RT-PCR. Out of these positive samples, eighteen (18) were selected for viral isolation and a partial S1 sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis showed that sixteen isolates clustered with members of GI-16 lineage, also known as Q1, with nucleotide homology ranging from 93% to 98%. The two remaining isolates grouped with members of the GI-1 lineage. Our study reveals circulation of GI-16 lineage during this period in poultry systems in Peru, along with GI-1 lineage (vaccine-derived). Moreover, those IBV GI-16 isolates showed unique nucleotide and amino acid changes compared to their closest relatives. Altogether, these findings reveal the circulation of GI-16 lineage while describing changes at key regions of the S protein that might be of relevance for vaccine evasion. These results highlight the importance of genetic surveillance for improving vaccination strategies against infectious bronchitis

Identification of the first teleost CD5 molecule Additional evidence on phenotypical and functional similarities between fish IgM+ B cells and mammalian B1 cells

Despite teleost fish being the first animal group in which all elements of adaptive immunity are present, the lack of follicular structures, as well as the fact that systemic Ab responses rely exclusively on unswitched low-affinity IgM responses, strongly suggests that fish B cell responses resemble mammalian B1 cell responses rather than those of B2 cells. In line with this hypothesis, in the current study, we have identified a homolog of CD5 in teleost fish. This pan-T marker belonging to the scavenger receptor cysteine-rich family of receptors is commonly used in mammals to distinguish a subset of B1 cells. Subsequently, we have demonstrated that a very high percentage of teleost IgM+ B cells express this marker, in contrast to the limited population of CD5-expressing B1 cells found in most mammals. Furthermore, we demonstrate that fish IgM+ B cells share classical phenotypic features of mammalian B1 cells such as large size, high complexity, high surface IgM, and low surface IgD expression, regardless of CD5 expression. Additionally, fish IgM+ B cells, unlike murine B2 cells, also displayed extended survival in cell culture and did not proliferate after BCR engagement. Altogether, our results demonstrate that although fish are evolutionarily the first group in which all the elements of acquired immunity are present, in the absence of follicular structures, most teleost IgM+ B cells have retained phenotypical and functional characteristics of mammalian B1 cells

Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b from Peru forms a monophyletic group with Chilean isolates in South America

Abstract Highly pathogenic avian Influenza virus (HPAIV) has spread in an unprecedented extent globally in recent years. Despite the large reports of cases in Asia, Europe, and North America, little is known about its circulation in South America. Here, we describe the isolation, and whole genome characterization of HPAIV obtained from sampling 26 wild bird species in Peru, representing one of the largest studies in our region following the latest HPAIV introduction in South America. Out of 147 samples analyzed, 22 were positive for detection of avian influenza virus using a qRT-PCR-based assay. Following inoculation into embryonated chicken eggs, fourteen viral isolates were obtained from which nine isolates were selected for genome characterization, based on their host relevance. Our results identified the presence of HPAIV H5N1 subtype in a highly diverse wild bird species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these isolates correspond to the clade 2.3.4.4b, sharing a common ancestor with North American isolates and forming a monophyletic group along with isolates from Chile. Altogether, changes at the amino acid levels compared to their closest relatives indicates the virus is evolving locally, highlighting the need for constant genomic surveillance. This data evidence the chances for spillover events increases as the virus spreads into large populations of immunologically naïve avian species and adding conditions for cross species transmission