• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.469-479
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• 2019

Plasmodium vivax is usually considered morbidity in endemic areas of Asia, Central and South America, and some part of Africa. In Thailand, previous studies indicated the genetic diversity of P. vivax in malaria-endemic regions such as the western part of Thailand bordering with Myanmar. The objective of the study is to investigate the genetic diversity of P. vivax circulating in Southern Thailand by using 3 antigenic markers and 8 microsatellite markers. Dried blood spots were collected from Chumphon, Phang Nga, Ranong and, Surat Thani provinces of Thailand. By PCR, 3 distinct sizes of $PvMSP3{\alpha}$, 2 sizes of $PvMSP3{\beta}$ and 2 sizes of PvMSP1 F2 were detected based on the length of PCR products, respectively. PCR/RFLP analyses of these antigen genes revealed high levels of genetic diversity. The genotyping of 8 microsatellite loci showed high genetic diversity as indicated by high alleles per locus and high expected heterozygosity ($H_E$). The genotyping markers also showed multiple-clones of infection. Mixed genotypes were detected in 4.8% of $PvMSP3{\alpha}$, 29.1% in $PvMSP3{\beta}$ and 55.3% of microsatellite markers. These results showed that there was high genetic diversity of P. vivax isolated from Southern Thailand, indicating that the genetic diversity of P. vivax in this region was comparable to those observed other areas of Thailand.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.231-239
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• 2002

Proteomics is an emerging powerful tool in studying protein expression and function. At present study, proteomics was employed to evaluate the antigenicity among Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains using 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and immunoblotting, SDS-PAGE and immunblotting analysis revealed no big differences among E coli O157:H7 strains. 2-DE analysis, however, revealed common antigens as well as specific antigens. The immunoblotting analysis revealed 20 common antigenic spots among E coli O157:H7 strains. In addition, there were 3 and 13 spots as common antigens between ATCC 43894 and KSC 109, and between ATCC 43894 and ACH 5, respectively. Antigenic spots specific for individual strain were also identified as 15, 8 and 22 for ATCC 43894, ACH 5 and KSC 109, respectively. The common antigens would be useful by employing either vaccine development or diagnosis marker, or both, whereas the specific antigens of individual strains would be applicable for epidemiological study. This study suggest that proteome analysis, representative as 2-DE, is valuable tool in exploring the E. coli antigenicity.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.221-228
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• 1999

In order to find a biochemical marker for late Iysosomes, we characterized two cDNAs which were cloned by using a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against Iysosomes in Amoeba proteus as a probe. The two cDNAs, a 1.3-kb cDNA in pBSK-Iys45 and a 1.6-kb cDNA in pBSK-Iys60, were found to encode proteins homologous to pepstatin-insensitive carboxyl proteinases (PICPs). E. coli transformed with pBSK-Iys45 produced two immunopositive polypeptides (45 and 43 kDa) and the cDNA in 1274 bases encoded a 44,733-Da protein (Lys45) of 420 amino acids containing one site for a core oligosaccharide. On the other hand, E. coli transformed with pBSK-Iys60 produced several polypeptides (64, 54, 45, 41, and 37 kDa) reacting with the mAb. The cDNA contained 1629 bases and encoded a 59,231-Da protein (Lys60) of 530 amino acids containing two sites for asparagine-linked core oligosaccharides. These two cDNAs showed identities of 60.3% in nucleotide sequences and 23.6% in amino acid sequences. Lys45 and Lys60 appeared to share XXEFQK as a common antigenic domain. The amino acid sequence of the Lys45 protein showed 17.4% identity and 40.9% similarity to that of PICP from Pseudomonas sp. 101. On the other hand, Lys60 showed a 24.3% identity and 51.9% similarity with human Iysosomal PICP in the amino acid sequence. A putative active center for serine protease, GTS＊xxxxxFxG, was found to be conserved among PICP homologues. The two PICPs are the first reported enzymatic markers for late Iysosomes.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.1691-1695
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• 2005

The bovine lymphocyte antigen (BoLA)-DRB3 gene encodes cell surface glycoproteins that initiate immune responses by presenting processed antigenic peptides to CD4 T helper cells. DRB3 is the most polymorphic bovine MHC class II gene which encodes the peptide-binding groove. Since different alleles favour the binding of different peptides, DRB3 has been extensively evaluated as a candidate marker for associations with various bovine diseases and immunological traits. For that reason, the genetic diversity of the bovine class II DRB3 locus was investigated by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method (PCR-RFLP). This study describes genetic variability in the BoLA-DRB3 in Iranian Golpayegani Cattle. Iranian Golpayegani Cows (n = 50) were genotyped for bovine lymphocyte antigen (BoLA)-DRB3.2 allele by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Bovine DNA was isolated from aliquots of whole blood. A two-step polymerase chain reaction followed by digestion with restriction endonucleases RsaI, HaeIII and BstYI was conducted on the DNA from Iranian Golpayegani Cattle. In the Iranian Golpayegani herd studied, we identified 19 alleles.DRB3.2${\times}$16 had the highest allelic frequency (14%), followed by DRB3.2${\times}$7 (11%). Six alleles (DRB3.2${\times}$25, ${\times}$24, ${\times}$22, ${\times}$20, ${\times}$15, ${\times}$3) had frequencies = 2%. Although additional studies are required to confirm the present findings, our results indicate that exon 2 of the BoLA-DRB3 gene is highly polymorphic in Iranian Golpayegani Cattle.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.58 no.6
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• pp.609-617
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• 2020

Plasmodium vivax reemerged in 1993. It has been sustained for more than 25 years and become one of the important indigenous parasitic diseases in northern and western parts of the Republic of Korea near the demilitarized zone. In particular, relapse is a significant concern for the control of malaria, as short- and long-term incubation periods vary among those infected in Korea. In this study, the prevalence of asymptomatic carriers was examined among residents of high endemic areas of vivax malaria during nonseasonal transmission of mosquitoes. Blood samples from 3 endemic regions in northwestern Korea were evaluated by microscopic examination, rapid diagnostic testing, and nested PCR to identify asymptomatic patients carrying malaria parasites in the community. However, no positive malaria case among residents of endemic areas was detected. Additionally, serological analysis was carried out to measure antibodies against 3 antigenic recombinant proteins of P. vivax, merozoite surface protein 1-19, circumsporozoite surface protein-VK210, and liver-stage antigen (PvLSA-N), by the protein array method. Interestingly, seropositivity of sera between previous exposure and samples without exposure to malaria was significantly higher using the PvLSA-N antigen than the other antigens, suggesting that PvLSA-N can be used as a serological marker to analyze the degree of exposure for malaria transmission in endemic areas. This indicates a very low asymptomatic carrier prevalence during the nonmalaria season in the endemic areas of Korea.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.215-228
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• 1999

Background: Sarcoidosis is a chronic granulomatous inflammatory disease of unknown etiology often involving the lungs and intrathoracic lymph nodes. The natural course of sarcoidosis is variable from spontaneous remission to significant morbidity or death. But, the mechanisms causing the variable clinical outcomes or any single parameter to predict the prognosis was not known. In sarcoidosis, the number and the activity of CD4 + lymphocytes are significantly increased at the loci of disease and their oligoclonality suggests that the CD4 + lymphocytes hyperreactivity may be caused by persistent antigenic stimulus. Recently, it has been known that CD4+ lymphocytes can be subdivided into 2 distinct population(Th1 and Th2) defined by the spectrum of cytokines produced by these cells. Th1 cells promote cellular immunity associated with delayed type hypersensitivity reactions by generating IL-2 and IFN-$\gamma$. Th2 cells playa role in allergic responses and immediate hypersensitivity reactions by secreting IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10. CD4+ lymphocytes in pulmonary sarcoidosis were reported to be mainly Th1 cells. IL-12 has been known to play an important role in differentiation of undifferentiated naive T cells to Th1 cells. And, Moller et al. observed increased IL-12 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) in patients with sarcoidosis. So it is possible that the elevated level of IL-12 is necessary for the continuous progression of the disease in active sarcoidosis. This study was performed to test the assumption that IL-12 can be a marker of active pulmonary sarcoidosis. Methods: We measured the concentration of IL-12 in BALF and in conditioned medium of alveolar macrophage(AM) using ELISA(enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) method in 26 patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis(10 males, 16 females, mean age: $39.8{\pm}2.1$ years) and 11 normal control. Clinically, 14 patients had active sarcoidosis and 12 patients had inactive. Results: Total cells counts, percentage and number of lymhocytes, number of AM and CD4/CD8 lymphocyte ratio in BALF were significantly higher in patients with sarcoidosis than in control group. But none of these parameters could differentiate active sarcoidosis from inactive disease. The concentration of IL-12 in BALF was significantly increased in sarcoidosis patients ($49.3{\pm}9.2$ pg/ml) than in normal control ($2.5{\pm}0.4$ pg/ml) (p<0.001). Moreover it was significantly higher in patients with active sarcoidosis ($70.3{\pm}14.8$ pg/ml) than in inactive disease ($24.8{\pm}3.l$ pg/ml) (p=0.001). Also, the concentration of IL-12 in BALF showed significant correlation with the percentage of AM(p<0.001), percentage(p<0.001) and number of lymphocyte(p<0.001) in BALF, suggesting the close relationship between the level of IL-12 in BALF and the inflammatory cell infiltration in the lungs. Furthermore, we found a significant correlation between the level of IL-12 and the concentration of soluble ICAM-1 : in serum(p<0.001) and BALF (p=0.001), and also between IL-12 level and ICAM-1 expression of AM(p<0.001). The AM from patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis secreted significantly larger amount of IL-12 ($206.2{\pm}61.9$ pg/ml) than those of control ($68.3{\pm}43.7$ pg/ml) (p<0.008), but, there was no difference between inactive and active disease group. Conclusion : Our data suggest that the BALF IL-12 level can be used as a marker of the activity of pulmonary sarcoidosis.