Natalia E. Schlabritz-Loutsevitch

Effect of 30 per cent maternal nutrient restriction from 0.16 to 0.5 gestation on fetal baboon kidney gene expression

Despite variation in their protoplast organization and wall structure, monoraphid diatoms have traditionally been grouped as a single family or order, intermediate between the araphid and biraphid diatoms. However, the predominantly marine or brackish species of Achnanthes sensu stricto share protoplast and frustule features with representatives of the Mastogloiales rather than with other monoraphid diatoms. Meanwhile, studies of morphogenesis in Achnanthes have revealed that cells become monoraphid by filling in one raphe system during valve formation, indicating that the monoraphid condition is derived rather than primitive. Evidence from light and electron microscopy is presented to support the transfer of Achnanthes to the Mastogloiales, and an emended description of the order is given. It is concluded that the Achnanthales sensu Round et al. is a paraphyletic group and that the closest relatives of the various monoraphid genera must be sought among other raphid diatoms.

Feto-placental adaptations to maternal obesity in the baboon.

Maternal obesity is present in 20-34% of pregnant women and has been associated with both intrauterine growth restriction and large-for-gestational age fetuses. While fetal and placental functions have been extensively studied in the baboon, no data are available on the effect of maternal obesity on placental structure and function in this species. We hypothesize that maternal obesity in the baboon is associated with a maternal inflammatory state and induces structural and functional changes in the placenta. The major findings of this study were: 1) decreased placental syncytiotrophoblast amplification factor, intact syncytiotrophoblast endoplasmic reticulum structure and decreased system A placental amino acid transport in obese animals; 2) fetal serum amino acid composition and mononuclear cells (PBMC) transcriptome were different in fetuses from obese compared with non-obese animals; and 3) maternal obesity in humans and baboons is similar in regard to increased placental and adipose tissue macrophage infiltration, increased CD14 expression in maternal PBMC and maternal hyperleptinemia. In summary, these data demonstrate that in obese baboons in the absence of increased fetal weight, placental and fetal phenotype are consistent with those described for large-for-gestational age human fetuses.

Brucella papionis sp. nov., isolated from baboons (Papio spp.)

Two Gram-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming coccoid bacteria (strains F8/08-60(T) and F8/08-61) isolated from clinical specimens obtained from baboons (Papio spp.) that had delivered stillborn offspring were subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, both strains, which possessed identical sequences, were assigned to the genus Brucella. This placement was confirmed by extended multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA), where both strains possessed identical sequences, and whole-genome sequencing of a representative isolate. All of the above analyses suggested that the two strains represent a novel lineage within the genus Brucella. The strains also possessed a unique profile when subjected to the phenotyping approach classically used to separate species of the genus Brucella, reacting only with Brucella A monospecific antiserum, being sensitive to the dyes thionin and fuchsin, being lysed by bacteriophage Wb, Bk2 and Fi phage at routine test dilution (RTD) but only partially sensitive to bacteriophage Tb, and with no requirement for CO2 and no production of H2S but strong urease activity. Biochemical profiling revealed a pattern of enzyme activity and metabolic capabilities distinct from existing species of the genus Brucella. Molecular analysis of the omp2 locus genes showed that both strains had a novel combination of two highly similar omp2b gene copies. The two strains shared a unique fingerprint profile of the multiple-copy Brucella-specific element IS711. Like MLSA, a multilocus variable number of tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) showed that the isolates clustered together very closely, but represent a distinct group within the genus Brucella. Isolates F8/08-60(T) and F8/08-61 could be distinguished clearly from all known species of the genus Brucella and their biovars by both phenotypic and molecular properties. Therefore, by applying the species concept for the genus Brucella suggested by the ICSP Subcommittee on the Taxonomy of Brucella, they represent a novel species within the genus Brucella, for which the name Brucella papionis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain F8/08-60(T) ( = NCTC 13660(T) = CIRMBP 0958(T)).

Development of a system for individual feeding of baboons maintained in an outdoor group social environment.

Abstract:  We developed a system that allows individual feeding of adult baboons, 8–15 years of age, maintained in an outdoor group social environment. The purpose of the system is to allow careful monitoring and control of individual diet. Baboons were housed in two group cages, 16 females and a single male in one and 12 females and a single male in the other. Baboons exited the group cage once daily and passed along a chute and over a scale into individual cages where they received their individual diets. Food intake was monitored during their 2‐hour stay in the individual cages. Baboons rapidly learned to use this system. Food intake and weight were stable within 20 days. Food consumed decreased during the period of sexual receptivity. The maintenance of the group social environment allowed observations on the groups dominance structure and the relationship of dominance to food consumption. Speed of food access in the group cage was related to dominance. Dominance was not related to food consumed in individual cages. The system permits study of many variables related to behavior and food intake while still retaining critical social interactions.

A novel Brucella isolate in association with two cases of stillbirth in non-human primates - first report.

Background  Brucellosis is veterinary and human health problem.

Non‐human primate fetal kidney transcriptome analysis indicates mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a central nutrient‐responsive pathway

Developmental programming is defined as the process by which gene–environment interaction in the developing organism leads to permanent changes in phenotype and function. Numerous reports of maternal nutrient restriction during pregnancy demonstrate altered renal development. Typically this alteration manifests as a reduction in the total number of glomeruli in the mature kidney of the offspring, and suggests that predisposition to develop chronic renal disease may include an in utero origin. In a previous study, we defined the transcriptome in the kidney from fetuses of control (CON, fed ad libitum) and nutrient‐restricted (NR, fed 70% of CON starting at 0.16 gestation (G)) pregnancies at half‐way through gestation (0.5G), and established transcriptome and morphological changes in NR kidneys compared to CON. One goal of the present study was to use transcriptome data from fetal kidneys of CON and NR mothers at 0.5G with histological data to identify the molecular mechanisms that may regulate renal development. A second goal was to identify mechanisms by which NR elicits its affect on fetal baboon kidney. We have used an end‐of‐pathway gene expression analysis to prioritize and identify key pathways regulating the 0.5G kidney phenotype in response NR. From these data we have determined that the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling pathway is central to this phenotype.

Effect of 30 per cent maternal nutrient restriction from 0.16 to 0.5 gestation on fetal baboon kidney gene expression: Maternal nutrient restriction and fetal baboon kidney gene expression

Previous studies in rodents and sheep show that maternal nutrient restriction during pregnancy alters fetal renal development. To date, no studies using fetal baboon RNA with human Affymetrix gene chips have been published. In the present study we have (1) evaluated the specificity of the Affymetrix human gene array ‘Laboratory on a Chip’ system for use with fetal baboon mRNA and (2) investigated the effects of moderate maternal global nutrient restriction (NR; 70% of ad libitum animals) from early (30 days gestation (dG)) to mid‐gestation (90 dG; term = 184 dG) on the fetal baboon kidney. Morphometric and blood measurements were made on 12 non‐pregnant baboons before they were bred. All baboons were fed ad libitum until 30 days pregnant, at which time six control baboons continued to feed ad libitum (control – C) while six received 70% of the C diet on a weight adjusted basis. Fetal kidneys were collected following caesarean section at 90 dG, with samples flash frozen and fixed for histological assessment. Fetal hip circumference was decreased in the NR group (68 ± 2 versus 75 ± 2 mm), while fetal body weight and all other measurements of fetal size were not different between C and NR at 90 dG. Maternal body weight was decreased in the NR group (12.16 ± 0.34 versus 13.73 ± 0.55 kg). Having established the specificity of the Affymetrix system for fetal baboon mRNA, gene expression profiling of fetal kidneys in the context of our maternal nutrient restriction protocol shows that NR resulted in a down‐regulation of genes in pathways related to RNA, DNA and protein biosynthesis, metabolism and catabolism. In contrast, genes in cell signal transduction, communication and transport pathways were up‐regulated in the NR group. These changes indicate that even a moderate level of maternal global NR impacts fetal renal gene pathways. Our histological assessment of renal structure indicates decreased tubule density within the cortex of NR kidneys compared with controls. The number of glomerular cross‐sections per unit area were unaffected by NR, suggesting that tubule tortuosity and/or tubule length was decreased in the NR kidney. Taken together the changes indicate that NR results in accelerated fetal renal differentiation. The negative impact of poor maternal nutrition on the fetal kidney may therefore be in part due to shortening of critical phases of renal growth resulting in decreased functional capacity in later life. These findings may have important implications for postnatal renal function, thereby contributing to the observed increased predisposition to hypertension and renal disease in the offspring of nutrient restricted mothers.

Effects of Maternal Global Nutrient Restriction on Fetal Baboon Hepatic Insulin-Like Growth Factor System Genes and Gene Products

Knowledge of altered maternal nutrition effects on growth-regulating systems is critical to understanding normal and abnormal fetal development. There are many reports of hepatic fetal IGF system responses to maternal nutrient restriction (MNR) during pregnancy in rodents and sheep but none in nonhuman primates. We determined effects of MNR on the fetal baboon hepatic IGF system. Social groups of female baboons were fed ad libitum, controls, or 70% controls (MNR) from 0.16 to 0.5 gestation and fetuses delivered by cesarean section. Fetal liver tissue was analyzed for IGF-I, IGF-II, and IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-3 mRNA by in situ hybridization and quantitative RT-PCR and protein by immunohistochemistry (IHC); IGF-I receptor, IGF-II receptor by quantitative RT-PCR and IHC and IGFBP-1 by in situ hybridization and IHC. MNR did not alter fetal body or liver weight. Fetal hepatic glycogen staining increased with MNR. MNR reduced fetal hepatic IGF-I and IGF-II and increased IGFBP-1 mRNA and decreased IGF-I, IGF-II, IGF-I receptor, and IGF-II receptor protein and increased protein for IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3. MNR increased caspase-3, indicating apoptosis and decreased Akt staining, indicating decreased nutrient sensing. In conclusion, whereas fetal body and liver weights did not change in response to moderate MNR during the first half of baboon pregnancy, the major indices of function of the hepatic IGF system measured were all reduced.

Gene expression profile differences in left and right liver lobes from mid‐gestation fetal baboons: a cautionary tale

Interpretation of gene array data presents many potential pitfalls in adult tissues. Gene array techniques applied to fetal tissues present additional confounding pitfalls. The left lobe of the fetal liver is supplied with blood containing more oxygen than the right lobe. Since synthetic activity and cell function are oxygen dependent, we hypothesized major differences in mRNA expression between the fetal right and left liver lobes. Our aim was to demonstrate the need to evaluate RNA samples from both lobes. We performed whole genome expression profiling on left and right liver lobe RNA from six 90‐day gestation baboon fetuses (term 180 days). Comparing right with left, we found 875 differentially expressed genes – 312 genes were up‐regulated and 563 down‐regulated. Pathways for damaged DNA binding, endonuclease activity, interleukin binding and receptor activity were up‐regulated in right lobe; ontological pathways related to cell signalling, cell organization, cell biogenesis, development, intracellular transport, phospholipid metabolism, protein biosynthesis, protein localization, protein metabolism, translational regulation and vesicle mediated transport were down‐regulated in right lobe. Molecular pathway analysis showed down‐regulation of pathways related to heat shock protein binding, ion channel and transporter activities, oxygen binding and transporter activities, translation initiation and translation regulator activities. Genes involved in amino acid biosynthesis, lipid biosynthesis and oxygen transport were also differentially expressed. This is the first demonstration of RNA differences between the two lobes of the fetal liver. The data support the argument that a complete interpretation of gene expression in the developing liver requires data from both lobes.

The baboon model (Papio hamadryas) of fetal loss: maternal weight, age, reproductive history and pregnancy outcome.

Background  Several risk factors are associated with the incidence of human stillbirths. The prevention of stillbirths in women is a pressing clinical problem.