Detection, Predictors, Immune Mechanisms and Prevalence of PRRSV Persistence in Boars

Title: Detection, Predictors, Immune Mechanisms and Prevalence of PRRSV Persistence in Boars.

Author: AimeeWasilk, Dr. Jane Christopher-Hennings
Abstract

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) is one of the most economically devasting disease in the swine industry.PRRS is caused by a small, enveloped, positive stranded RNA virus that belongs to the Arteriviridae family, and Nidovirales order. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based assays are commonly used to identify PRRSV carriers.In this study we will develop a real-time, quantitative PCR assay for the detection of PRRSV in porcine samples.This assay will help usquantitate the viral load of PRRSV in boar serum and semen and determine whether the virus varies over time within individual boars and between boars, and whether the viral load correlates with the duration of PRRSV shedding in semen.Through this study we will determine the occurrence of boars that are persistently infected with PRRSV at 90 days after infection and if the virus hasn’t cleared, determine in which tissues the virus persists.We will also determine what immunological mechanisms are responsible for PRRSV persistence, by measuring cytokine concentrations including gamma interferon levels prior to PRRSV infection and weekly thereafter. The cytokines will be measured using quantitative PCR assays on serum and tissue samples. The gamma interferon levels will be tested using an ELISPOT assay.

Our hypothesizes are PRRSV will not be detected in tissues, saliva, feces or urine 90 days after PRRSV inoculation in any boar.This would indicate that the virus has cleared and there is no further risk of PRRSV transmission.The quantity of virus in semen and serum will decrease over time within each boar and will vary between boars.We will show that gamma interferon production will be a predictor for the duration of shedding of PRRSV in semen.There will also be a direct correlation between the viral load in serum and semen with the duration of viremia and PRRSV shedding in semen.The results from this study will help determine if viral clearance occurs and if immunologic responses can be correlated with limited PRRSV shedding.This will benefit swine producer and operators by enabling them to test, identify, and eliminate potential persistent PRRSV carriers from the herd.

Title:Lymph Node Regulation of Breast Cancer Metastasis

Author: MelissaDeRycke

Abstract:

Metastasis of tumor cells is a major complicating factor in cancer.Most metastatic cells must travel through regional lymph nodes and exit in the efferent lymph before they can enter the blood stream.Not much is currently know about how metastatic cells traverse through the lymph nodes, but it is thought that their migration might be regulated similar to what is seen in lymphocytes.Certain cytokines and immunosuppressents can prompt lymphocytes to be restricted in the lymph nodes.We propose that these factors may also restrict the movement of metastatic cells through the lymph nodes, preventing tumors from spreading via the blood stream.The aims of this study are to define the factors that promote tumor cell retention in the lymph nodes, to map the molecular mechanisms involved in the retention, and to define the role of tumor cell entrapment on the resulting anti-tumor immune response.

Title: Potential Effects of Transgenic Bt Corn on Male Mouse Reproductive Development

Author: Denise Brake and Donald P. Evenson
Abstract:

The health safety of transgenic Bt corn will be studied using the mammalian testis (mouse model) as a sensitive biomonitor of potential toxic effects.Pregnant mice will be fed a Bt corn or a non-transgenic (conventional) diet through gestation and lactation.After weaning, the young male mice will be maintained on the respective diets.At 8, 16, 26, 32, 63 and 87 days after birth, three male mice and an adult reference mouse will be killed, the testes surgically removed, and the cell populations measured by flow cytometry.Multi-generational studies will be conducted in the same manner.It is hypothesized that the transgenic Bt corn diet will have no negative effect on cell growth and differentiation of fetal, postnatal, pubertal or adult testicular development.

Title: Antiperoxidant Effects of Resveratrol
Author: Puja Agrawal
Abstract:
Resveratrol is a phytoalexin found in grapes. Epidemiological and experimental studies suggest that consumption of wine reduces the incidence and morbidity from coronary heart diseases. Resveratrol derived from grapes also inhibited breast and skin cancer development. The purpose of this investigation is to develop analytical methods of measuring resveratrol in grapes to isolate, identify, and quantify resveratrol and then to study the in vitro antiperoxidant effect of resveratrol to elucidate its mechanism of action. The antiperoxidant effects of resveratrol were also compared with vitamin E, a well-known antioxidant. Both enzymic (NADPH-induced) and non-enzymic (Ascorbate-FeCl3-induced) lipid peroxidation were assayed in rat liver microsomes using thiobarbaituric acid for measurement of malonaldehyde. IC50 values for resveratrol and vitamin E were 1.5x10-4M<1x10-5M (NADPH-induced) and 1.5x10-4M>1x10-3 (Ascorbate-induced) respectively. These results indicate that resveratrol has antiperoxidant effects, which is higher than Vitamin E for non-enzymic induced lipid peroxidation. Antiperoxidant effect of resveratrol maybe responsible for decreasing heart diseases and cancer.
I am also determining the effect of resveratrol with Niacin, Lovastatin and Nifedipine when administered together in rats.
Another study is being conducted in which a method is being developed by reverse phase HPLC for isolation of resveratrol from grapes.