lntermediate filament protein expression and sugar moieties in normal canine placenta

In the female dog, the placenta is considered zonal, endotheliochorial and labyrinthic. The distribution of the intermediate filaments as well as the surface glycoproteins in the canine placenta are still unknown. The aim of the present study was to provide this information for further understanding of pathological conditions in the bitch. Samples were obtained from normal uterine horns at the end of gestation. Tissues were routinely fixed and stained. Monoclonal antibodies against cytokeratins, vimentin and desmin were used for immunohistochemical staining. UEA-1, PNA, RCA-1, SBA, DBA, WGA and ConA were used for the lectin histochemical staining. A computer morphometrical analysis was made. Statistical analysis was then accomplished. The results showed the maximun immunohistochemical percentage for vimentin in the supraglandular connective tissue, for pancytokeratin in the spongy zone and for desmin in miometrium. SBA showed the highest staining percentage in the gland cells of the spongy zone, while ConA was the highest in the syncytiotrophoblastic cells and gland cells of the deep glandular zone. The results obtained indicate that the lectin binding pattern is partially different from other animal species. On the contrary, the intermediate filament data coincide with similar observations from other mammals

Characterisation of cytotrophoblastic-like cells present in subinvolutioned placental sites of the bitch

This paper describes an approach to study the cells present in the subinvolution of placental sites (SIPS), a pathological post partum condition of the bitch that causes persistent hemorrhage of the genital tract. The expression of intermediate filament proteins was examined to determine the fetal or maternal origin of the cytotrophoblastic-like cells found in this entity. Lectin binding on tissue sections were also studied to characterise cellular glycoconjugates. Image processing and morphometrical analysis of the histological images were done. The results revealed that the cells observed in bitches with SIPS expressed pancytokeratins but neither vimentin nor desmin, in coincidence with normal cytotrophoblasts. The lectin binding pattern of both types of cells was similar, with the only exception of Arachis hypogaea agglutinin (PNA) and Triticum vulgaris agglutinin (WGA). These observations, in addition to the non statistically significant differences between morphometrical characteristics of cytotrophoblastic and cytotrophoblastic-like cells in SIPS, might suggest the fetal origin of the latter cells which could play a role in the pathogenesis of this entity

Comparación morfométrica de la columna vertebral del ocelote (Leopardus pardalis), puma (Puma concolor) y gato doméstico (Felis catus)

Ocelot and puma are native American wild cats especially distributed in mountainous and forested areas. Knowledge of the bone structure of the spine is of great importance since these species are characterized by their flexibility, which gives them the agility to climb and jump with great lightness and move quickly while capturing the prey. Our goal was to perform a comparative morphometric study between the spine of ocelot, puma and domestic cat (Felis catus). Morphometric studies (linear distances) were carried out both on the isolated anatomical pieces and on their digital representation, while the geometric morphometric analysis was performed on the latter. In this study, anatomical similarities between puma and cat that may be related to their major phylogenetic relationship were found.Fil: Sánchez, H.L. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Anatomía. La Plata, ArgentinaFil: Sánchez, H.L. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Laboratorio de Análisis de Imágenes. La Plata, ArgentinaFil: Barbeito-Andrés, J. CONICET. Unidad Ejecutora de Estudios en Neurociencias y Sistemas Complejos (ENyS). ArgentinaFil: Nishida, F. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Laboratorio de Análisis de Imágenes. La Plata, ArgentinaFil: Nishida, F. CONICET. La Plata, ArgentinaFil: Barbeito, C.G. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Laboratorio de Histología y Embriología Descriptiva, Experimental y Comparativa. La Plata, ArgentinaFil: Barbeito, C.G. CONICET. La Plata, ArgentinaFil: Portiansky, E.L. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Laboratorio de Análisis de Imágenes. La Plata, ArgentinaFil: Portiansky, E.L. CONICET. La Plata, ArgentinaEl ocelote y el puma son felinos salvajes nativos de América, particularmente distribuidos en áreas montañosas y boscosas. El conocimiento de la estructura ósea de la columna vertebral es de gran importancia, ya que estas especies se caracterizan por su flexibilidad, lo que les da la agilidad para trepar y saltar con gran ligereza, y moverse rápidamente mientras capturan a su presa. Nuestro objetivo fue realizar un estudio morfométrico comparativo entre la columna vertebral del ocelote, del puma y del gato doméstico. Los estudios morfométricos basados en distancias lineales se realizaron tanto sobre las piezas anatómicas aisladas como sobre su representación digital, en tanto que los análisis de morfometría geométrica se realizaron sobre estas últimas. En este estudio se encontraron similitudes anatómicas entre el puma y el gato, que pueden relacionarse con su asociación filogenética

Interferencia del Herpesvirus equino 1 (EHV-1) en la apoptosis inducida

Apoptosis is a programmed cell death that can be triggered by many factors, both internal and external. Viral infections are included among the latter. Some alphaherpesvirus have developed several strategies to retard or inhibit cell death and thus the virus benefits itself by staying longer in the cell. So far, no mechanisms have been identified related to modulation of cell death during infection with equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1). The aim of the present study was to describe the effect produced by the infection with EHV-1 on apoptosis-induced cell cultures. Assessment of apoptosis was performed by DNA laddering, the Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) determination and the cytokeratin 18 cleavage analysis using immunofluorescence techniques. Results indicate a possible interference of EHV-1 with apoptotic cell death in the middle of its replication cycle, being increased by its end.Fil: Scrochi, M.R. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Cátedra de Virología. La Plata, ArgentinaFil: Scrochi, M.R. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Cátedra de Histología y Embriología. La Plata, ArgentinaFil: Scrochi, M.R. CONICET. Centro Científico Tecnológico (CCT). La Plata, ArgentinaFil: Zanuzzi, C.N. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Cátedra de Histología y Embriología. La Plata, ArgentinaFil: Zanuzzi, C.N. CONICET. Centro Científico Tecnológico (CCT). La Plata, ArgentinaFil: Muglia, C.I. CONICET. Centro Científico Tecnológico (CCT). La Plata, ArgentinaFli: Muglia, C.I. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Laboratorio de investigaciones del sistema inmune (LISIN). La Plata, ArgentinaFil: Fuentealba, N.A. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Cátedra de Virología. La Plata, ArgentinaFil: Fuentealba, N.A. CONICET. Centro Científico Tecnológico (CCT). La Plata, ArgentinaFil: Nishida, F. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Patología General/Laboratorio de Análisis de Imágenes. La Plata, ArgentinaFil: Nishida, F. CONICET. Centro Científico Tecnológico (CCT). La Plata, ArgentinaFil: Gimeno E. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Patología General/Laboratorio de Análisis de Imágenes. La Plata, ArgentinaFil: Gimeno E. CONICET. Centro Científico Tecnológico (CCT). La Plata, ArgentinaFil: Barbeito, C.G. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Cátedra de Histología y Embriología. La Plata, ArgentinaFil: Barbeito, C.G. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Patología General/Laboratorio de Análisis de Imágenes. La Plata, ArgentinaFil: Barbeito, C.G. CONICET. Centro Científico Tecnológico (CCT). La Plata, ArgentinaFil: Portiansky, E.L. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Patología General/Laboratorio de Análisis de Imágenes. La Plata, ArgentinaFil: Portiansky, E.L. CONICET. Centro Científico Tecnológico (CCT). La Plata, ArgentinaFil: Galosi, C.M. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Cátedra de Virología. La Plata, ArgentinaFil: Galosi, C.M. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas (CIC) de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. La Plata, ArgentinaLa apoptosis es un tipo de muerte celular programada que puede ser desencadenada por múltiples factores, tanto internos como externos; dentro de estos últimos se encuentran las infecciones virales. Algunos alphaherpesvirus han desarrollado diversas estrategias para retardar o inhibir la muerte celular obteniendo, de esta manera, su propio beneficio al poder permanecer durante más tiempo en la célula. Hasta el momento no se ha identificado ningún mecanismo relacionado con la modulación de la muerte celular durante la infección con Herpesvirus equino tipo 1 (EHV-1). El objetivo del presente trabajo fue describir el efecto producido por la infección con EHV-1 sobre cultivos celulares inducidos a la muerte por apoptosis. La evaluación de la apoptosis se realizó mediante el reconocimiento de la fragmentación en escalera del ADN, la evaluación de la relación Anexina V/ioduro de propidio (IP) y la determinación del clivaje de la citoqueratina 18, utilizando técnicas de inmunofluorescencia. Los resultados indican una posible interferencia del EHV-1 con la muerte por apoptosis hacia la mitad de su ciclo de replicación, que se incrementa hacia el final del mismo.\

Thymic atrophy in cattle poisoned with Solanum glaucophyllum Atrofia do timo em bovinos intoxicados por Solanum glaucophyllum

Solanum glaucophyllum (Sg) [= S. malacoxylon] is a calcinogenic plant inducing "Enzootic Calcinosis" in cattle. The 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, its main toxic principle, regulates bone and calcium metabolism and also exerts immunomodulatory effects. Thymocyte precursors from bone marrow-derived progenitor cells differentiate into mature T-cells. Differentiation of most T lymphocytes is characterized not only by the variable expression of CD4/CD8 receptor molecules and increased surface density of the T cell antigen receptor, but also by changes in the glycosylation pattern of cell surface glycolipids or glycoproteins. Thymocytes exert a feedback influence on thymic non-lymphoid cells. Sg-induced modifications on cattle thymus T-lymphocytes and on non-lymphoid cells were analysed. Heifers were divided into 5 groups (control, intoxicated with Sg during 15, 30 or 60 days, and probably recovered group). Histochemical, immunohistochemical, lectinhistochemical and morphometric techniques were used to characterize different cell populations of the experimental heifers. Sg-poisoned heifers showed a progressive cortical atrophy that was characterized using the peanut agglutinin (PNA) lectin that recognizes immature thymocytes. These animals also increased the amount of non-lymphoid cells per unit area detected with the Picrosirius technique, WGA and DBA lectins, and pancytokeratin and S-100 antibodies. The thymus atrophy found in intoxicated animals resembled that of the physiological aging process. A reversal effect on these changes was observed after suppression of the intoxication. These findings suggest that Sg-intoxication induces either directly, through the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 itself, or indirectly through the hypercalcemia, the observed alteration of the thymus.<br>Solanum glaucophyllum (Sg) [= S. malacoxylon] é uma planta calcinogênica que induz "Calcinose Enzoótica" em bovinos. O 1,25-dihidroxivitamina D3, seu principal agente tóxico, regula o metabolismo ósseo, o metabolismo de cálcio e também mostra efeitos na imunomodulação. Precursores de timócitos derivados da medula óssea se diferenciam em linfócitos T maduros. A diferenciação da maioria dos linfócitos T é caracterizada pela expressão variável de moléculas de receptores CD4/CD8 e densidade aumentada dos receptores antigênicos de superfície de células T. Alem disso, há mudanças no padrão de glicosilação de glicolipídeos na superfície celular ou de glicoproteínas. Timócitos mostram uma influência de retro alimentação em células tímicas não-linfóides. Foram analisadas modificações induzidas pelo Sg em linfócitos T e células tímicas não-linfóides de bovinos. Novilhas foram divididas em 5 grupos (controle, intoxicadas com Sg durante 15, 30 ou 60 dias, e grupo provavelmente recuperado). As diferentes populações celulares das novilhas experimentais foram caracterizadas com técnicas histoquímicas, imuno-histoquímicas, lectina-histoquímicas e morfométricas. As novilhas intoxicadas com Sg mostraram uma atrofia cortical progressiva que foi caracterizada usando a lectina aglutinina de amendoim (PNA) que reconhece timócitos imaturos. Estes animais também aumentaram as células não-linfóides tímicas por unidade de área, detectadas com a técnica de Picrosirius, lectinas WGA e DBA e anticorpos antipancitoqueratina e anti-S-100. A atrofia de timo observada nos animais intoxicados foi semelhante àquela do processo de envelhecimento fisiológico. Após supressão da intoxicação, foi observado um efeito de reversão nestas mudanças. Estes resultados sugerem que a intoxicação por Sg induza a alteração observada no timo diretamente, pela ação de 1,25-dihidroxivitamina D3, ou indiretamente, pela ação da hipercalcemia