Controlling the Virus Output Via Urokinase Receptor and Integrin Signaling

We have described that either urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) inhibits HIV expression in monocytic U937 and U1 cell lines (M. Alfano et al., PNAS, 2002, 99:8862-67). We have observed that uPA inhibited HIV expression exclusively when both uPAR and CD18/ CD11b (Mac-1) were co-expressed at the cell surface. A second interactor of uPAR, FPRL1, was abundantly expressed on the surface of both unstimulated and stimulated U1 cells; however, peptide antagonists of FPRL1 did not interfere with HIV expression from U1 cells. Incubation of U1 cells with Trojan peptides expressing RhoA domains reversed the anti-HIV activity of uPA. In addition to cell line infection, uPA inhibited in vitro infection of primary monocyte-derived macrophages and virus replication from monocytes of infected individuals cultivated ex-vivo. Thus, RhoA-dependent cytoskeleton rearrangement and intracellular vesicles formation may be related to virion budding and entrapment in intracytoplasmic vacuoles. This is the first report linking integrin activation to a negative control of HIV replication, at least in monocyte/macrophages. from 2005 International Meeting of The Institute of Human Virology Baltimore, USA, 29 August – 2 September 200

Macrophage Polarization in Health and Disease

Macrophages are terminally differentiated cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system that also encompasses dendritic cells, circulating blood monocytes, and committed myeloid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. Both macrophages and their monocytic precursors can change their functional state in response to microenvironmental cues exhibiting a marked heterogeneity. However, there are still uncertainties regarding distinct expression patterns of surface markers that clearly define macrophage subsets, particularly in the case of human macrophages. In addition to their tissue distribution, macrophages can be functionally polarized into M1 (proinflammatory) and M2 (alternatively activated) as well as regulatory cells in response to both exogenous infections and solid tumors as well as by systems biology approaches

Asymmetric HIV-1 co-receptor use and replication in CD4+ T lymphocytes

Susceptibility to infection by the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1), both in vitro and in vivo, requires the interaction between its envelope (Env) glycoprotein gp120 Env and the primary receptor (R), CD4, and Co-R, either CCR5 or CXCR4, members of the chemokine receptor family. CCR5-dependent (R5) viruses are responsible for both inter-individual transmission and for sustaining the viral pandemics, while CXCR4-using viruses, usually dualtropic R5X4, emerge in ca. 50% of individuals only in the late, immunologically suppressed stage of disease. The hypothesis that such a major biological asymmetry is explained exclusively by the availability of cells expressing CCR5 or CXCR4 is challenged by several evidences. In this regard, binding of the HIV-1 gp120 Env to the entry R complex, i.e. CD4 and a chemokine R, leads to two major events: virion-cell membrane fusion and a cascade of cell signaling. While the fusion/entry process has been well defined, the role of R/Co-R signaling in the HIV-1 life cycle has been less characterized. Indeed, depending on the cellular model studied, the capacity of HIV-1 to trigger a flow of events favoring either its own latency or replication remains a debated issue. In this article, we will review the major findings related to the role of HIV R/Co-R signaling in the steps following viral entry and leading to viral spreading in CD4+ T lymphocytes

Effect of different processing methods on the nutritional characteristics and tannin content of fababean seed (Vicia faba minor)

In the last years, because of their high protein content, the demand of legume seeds is significantly increased. In the centre and southern Italy fababean (Vicia faba minor) can play an important role as alternative protein source in ruminant nutrition. In this trial has been studied the effect of different treatments (flaking, cooking, dehulling, germination) on the in vitro digestibility and tannin content of fababean seeds. The in vitro OM and NDF digestibility of seeds were significantly (P<0.05) improved by dehulling and flaking. The in vitro OM digestibility of dehulled fababean (99.27%) showed higher values (P<0.05) than the other treated seeds as well as in vitro NDF digestibility (90.33%, P<0.05). Germination of fababean reduces the in vitro digestibility of OM and NDF. Cooking in water was more effective in reducing tannins than other treatments. Compared to the untreated the cooked has significantly (P<0.05) reduced the tannin content over 55% (2.71 g/kgDM vs. 6.10 g/kgDM). Germinated fababean did not affect the tannin content of seeds. The results from this trial suggest that thermal treatments applied to fababean seeds in order to reduce the tannins must be evaluated according to the cost/benefits ratio because this factors in seeds is low (<10 g/kgDM)

Effect of different breed on Ragusano cheese quality

Specific objectives: Ragusano PDO cheese is a traditional dairy product of Sicily, the aim of the study was to characterised parameters of milk and Ragusano PDO cheese in different breeds. Experimental methods: The research was carried out in two farms in province of Ragusa, samples of Bruna (BR) and Modicana (MD) milk were taken during winter and stored prior to analysis. Chemical composition (dry matter, fat, protein, ash, casein, NNC) and lactodinamographic parameters of milk were determined. Ragusano PDO cheese was obtained after ripening period (four months) and chemical analysis (dry matter, ash, ether extract, crude protein) were carried out. Statistical analysis. Chemical and technological parameters of milk, chemical composition of cheese were examined by one-way ANOVA. When significant effects were found (P≤0.05), differences were determined using t-student. Data analyses were performed using JMP software of SAS (SAS Instit., NC, USA). Results and conclusions: The moisture of milk was higher in BR than MD (87.19% vs. 86.20%), although the ash content was greater in MD (0.82% vs. 0.76%). Crude fat showed a higher result in BR as the casein content (3.61% vs. 3.12%) and the casein/crude protein ratio (85.01% vs. 80.86%). Non-casein nitrogen was higher for MD than BR (0.74% vs. 0.64%), while crude protein didn't show differences between the breeds. The technological parameters of milk showed differences for k20 and a30 parameters. The rennet clotting time (r) didn't show significant difference for the breeds (13:30 min vs. 15:15 min). Curd firmness (k20) evidenced a longer period for BR than MD (06:15 min vs. 02:55 min), although final curd firmness 30 min after rennet addition (a30) was found higher in MD (28.96 mm vs. 21.74 mm). The chemical composition of cheese showed differences in dry matter and ash content. BR showed higher moisture level than MD (34.09 % vs. 32.59 %) while the ash level were higher in MD breed (5.95 % vs. 5.28 %). The difference of dry matter and ash level of the breeds can be assessed to the effect of seasoning, instead no correlation were found for protein and fat. It's know how MD has lower productive performance than BR, although in this trial the quality parameters of milk and cheese of autochthonous breed, as Modicana, is comparable with Bruna. Moreover samples of cheese didn't show differences for fat and protein content; for these reasons MD seems to be more carefully to be chosen for the production of Ragusano PDO cheese.chosen for the production of Ragusano PDO cheese

Neospora caninum in Wild Waterfowl: Occurrence of Parasite DNA and Low antibody titers

Thirty-five adult waterfowl (14 males and 21 females) representing various orders and species were sampled during the hunting season from 2015 to 2016. Antibodies to Neospora caninum were detected by IFAT on blood samples, while heart and brain were subjected to molecular analysis for the detection of Neospora caninum DNA. Twelve birds (34.3%) (6 Anas crecca, 3 Anas platyrhynchos, 2 Anas penelope, 1 Anas acuta) showed antibodies versus N. caninum, while 10 animals out of 35 (4 Anas crecca, 2 Anas platyrhynchos, 2 Anas penelope, 1 Anas acuta, and 1 Vanellus vanellus) scored positive for at least 1 sample, with an overall prevalence of 28.6%. The present report shows for the first time the occurrence of antibodies and N. caninum DNA in waterfowl. The avian species investigated in the present report, which feed directly from the soil and/or water, would be able to ingest oocysts excreted by final canid hosts and could contribute to parasite transmission in the sylvatic cycle. To achieve a definitive result about the role of these avian species in the epidemiology of this protozoan, the presence of viable parasites should be demonstrated by bioassay and/or culture, as well as histological evidence of N. caninum cysts in avian tissues