Yoshihiro Muneta

Biased distribution of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in porcine Toll-like receptor 1 (TLR1), TLR2, TLR4, TLR5, and TLR6 genes

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize various microbial components and induce immune responses. Polymorphisms in TLRs may influence their recognition of pathogen-derived molecules; swine TLRs are predicted to be associated with responses to infectious diseases such as pneumonia. In this study, we searched for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the coding sequences of porcine TLR1, TLR2, TLR4, TLR5, and TLR6 genes in 96 pigs from 11 breeds and elucidated 21, 11, 7, 13, and 11 SNPs, respectively, which caused amino acid substitutions in the respective TLRs. Distribution of these nonsynonymous SNPs was biased; many were located in the leucine-rich repeats, particularly in TLR1. These data demonstrated that the heterogeneity of TLR genes was preserved in various porcine breeds despite intensive breeding that was carried out for livestock improvement. It suggests that the heterogeneity in TLR genes is advantageous in increasing the possibility of survival in porcine populations.

Genomic survey of polymorphisms in pattern recognition receptors and their possible relationship to infections in pigs.

Recent progress in the accumulation of pig genomic information has enabled us to comprehensively explore polymorphisms in pig genes. One of our targets for exploration has been the genes encoding molecules related to pathogen recognition, such as pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). PRRs play a role in the innate immune system, and possess various members such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs), NOD-like receptors (NLRs), RIG-like helicases (RLHs), and C-type lectin-like receptors (CLRs). PRRs are required for the monitoring of pathogens; therefore, polymorphisms in PRRs may influence molecular functions such as ligand recognition. There have been many studies on the relationship between polymorphisms within PRR genes and disease susceptibility in humans and mice. Our studies have revealed that porcine PRR genes possess many nonsynonymous polymorphisms, particularly in regions encoding the ectodomains of TLRs localized on the cell surface. The genes encoding TLRs located on the membrane of intracellular compartments, and cytoplasmic PRRs such as NLRs and RLHs, also possessed nonsynonymous polymorphisms. Several observations indicate that there are relationships between polymorphisms in PRR or related genes and disease susceptibility in livestock animals including pig. Such information may contribute to breeding aimed at disease resistance, and effective vaccine design.

High level expression and purification of bioactive bovine interleukin-18 using a baculovirus system

Bioactive recombinant bovine interleukin-18 (rboIL-18) was expressed using a baculovirus system. Normally, IL-18 is translated as a precursor form of a 24kDa polypeptide and processed by IL-1beta converting enzyme (ICE) to a mature bioactive form of 18kDa protein. Hence, to express active form IL-18, we constructed two recombinant baculoviruses containing boIL-18 and human ICE (hICE) genes, respectively, and superinfected these viruses into insect cells. Superinfection of both recombinant viruses into the cells resulted in the expression of a 24kDa precursor form and an 18kDa mature form detectable in the supernatant by immunoblotting using anti-porcine IL-18 antibody. Culture supernatant from the superinfected cells showed a synergistic effect with recombinant boIL-12 for production of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in bovine peripheral mononuclear cells. By addition of histidine hexamer at the C-terminal of boIL-18, the mature IL-18 was purified. Bioactivity remained after purification.

Expression of proinflammatory cytokine mRNA in the lymphatic organs of adult and neonatal pigs.

Inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression in the lymphatic organs of neonatal, 1-month-old and adult pigs was compared. The mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-18 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in the spleen, thymus, tonsil and popliteal and mesenteric lymph nodes was investigated by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Stronger IL-1beta mRNA expression was observed in the 1-day-old and 1-month-old piglets than in the adult pigs. In thymus, tonsil and mesenteric lymph node, IL-1beta mRNA expression in 1-day-old piglets was stronger than in 1-month-old pigs. The expression of IL-6 mRNA in the 1-day-old and 1-month-old tonsil tended to be stronger than in the adult pigs. IL-18 and TNF-alpha mRNA expression was constant in all the samples examined. The expression of IL-1beta and IL-6 mRNA may reflect an inflammatory reaction against the exo- and endogenous foreign bodies occurring in the lymphatic organs, especially in the tonsil, of neonatal piglets.

Expression of Equine Interleukin-18 by Baculovirus Expression System and Its Biologic Activity

The equine interleukin‐18 (IL‐18) cDNA that contains the coding sequence was cloned and a recombinant baculovirus, named AcEIL‐18, was constructed. The recombinant protein of the equine IL‐18 was expressed by AcEIL‐18 and its expression was confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) and Western blotting. Insect cells infected with AcEIL‐18 secreted a precursor IL‐18 with 24 kilo dalton (kDa) into the culture supernatant. Western blot analysis showed that mature equine IL‐18 about 18 kDa was also confirmed without co‐expression of caspase‐1. Culture supernatant from AcEIL‐18 infected cells showed a synergistic effect with recombinant human lnterleukin‐12 for induction of interferon‐γ gene expression in equine peripheral mononuclear cells, indicating that the recombinant equine IL‐18 expressed in this study also has biological activity without any treatment.

Expression of inflammatory-related factors in porcine anterior pituitary-derived cell line

Recent studies have shown that undifferentiated stem cells act as immunomodulators. To investigate the immunomodulatory function of the progenitor cells of the anterior pituitary gland, we attempted to establish a stem/progenitor cell line from the porcine anterior pituitary gland, and to detail its inflammatory cytokine expression. A cloned cell line from the porcine anterior pituitary gland was established and was designated as the porcine anterior pituitary-derived cell line (PAPC). PAPC expressed the mRNA of Nanog and Oct-4, and showed positive immunoreactivity for beta-catenin and Hes1 in its nucleus. PAPC grew stably by repeated passage and rapidly in the EGF and bFGF containing medium. RT-PCR showed that PAPC expressed mRNA of IL-1alpha, IL-6, IL-12, IL-15, IL-18 and TLR4. PAPC expressed S100alpha and IL-18 protein, which was localized in the marginal epithelial cells of Rathkes pouch. These results suggest that PAPC is a stem/progenitor cell and may regulate anterior pituitary cell function through an immuno-endocrine pathway.

In vivo effect of a TLR5 SNP (C1205T) on Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium infection in weaned, specific pathogen-free Landrace piglets: Role of TLR5 SNP in pig salmonellosis

Toll‐like receptor 5 is a pattern‐recognition receptor for bacterial flagellin. We previously reported that a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of swine TLR5, C1205T, impairs recognition of Salmonella typhimurium (ST) flagellin and ethanol‐killed Salmonella Choleraesuis (SC). In the present study, weaned, specific pathogen‐free (SPF) Landrace piglets with CC, CT or TT genotypes were orally infected with ST (L‐3569 strain) to determine the effect of this specific SNP on ST infection in vivo. Eighteen ST‐infected piglets (six each with CC, CT, or TT) exhibited fever and diarrhea for 1 week after infection. TT piglets had the longest duration of fever. TT piglets had the greatest mean diarrhea score during the experimental period, followed by CT and CC piglets. Fecal ST shedding was greater in CT and TT pigs than CC pigs from 2 days after infection. Serum haptoglobin concentration increased in ST‐infected piglets and to greater extents in CT and TT pigs than CC pigs. Daily weight gain was lower in infected pigs, particularly TT piglets, than control pigs. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate that impairment of TLR recognition affects pig susceptibility to disease in vivo. Thus, piglets with the T allele of swine TLR5 (C1205T) exhibit impaired resistance to ST infection. Furthermore, elimination of the T allele of this SNP from Landrace pigs would lead to enhancement of their resistance to ST infection.