Showing papers by "Hilary Koprowski published in 1996"

Laboratory Techniques in Rabies

Abstract: Laboratory techniques in rabies , Laboratory techniques in rabies , مرکز فناوری اطلاعات و اطلاع رسانی کشاورزی

Characterization of a unique variant of bat rabies virus responsible for newly emerging human cases in North America

Abstract: The silver-haired bat variant of rabies virus (SHBRV) has been identified as the etiological agent of a number of recent human rabies cases in the United States that are unusual in not having been associated with any known history of conventional exposure. Comparison of the different biological and biochemical properties of isolates of this virus with those of a coyote street rabies virus (COSRV) revealed that there are unique features associated with SHBRV. In vitro studies showed that, while the susceptibility of neuroblastoma cells to infection by both viruses was similar, the infectivity of SHBRV was much higher than that of COSRV in fibroblasts (BHK-21) and epithelial cells (MA-104), particularly when these cells were kept at 34 degrees C. At this temperature, low pH-dependent fusion and cell-to-cell spread of virus is seen in BHK-21 cells infected with SHBRV but not with COSRV. It appears that SHBRV may possess an unique cellular tropism and the ability to replicate at lower temperature, allowing a more effective local replication in the dermis. This hypothesis is supported by in vivo results which showed that while SHBRV is less neurovirulent than COSRV when administered via the intramuscular or intranasal routes, both viruses are equally neuroinvasive if injected intracranially or intradermally. Consistent with the above findings, the amino acid sequences of the glycoproteins of SHBRV and COSRV were found to have substantial differences, particularly in the region that contains the putative toxic loop, which are reflected in marked differences in their antigenic composition. Nevertheless, an experimental rabies vaccine based on the Pittman Moore vaccine strain protected mice equally well from lethal doses of SHBRV and COSRV, suggesting that currently used vaccines should be effective in the postexposure prophylaxis of rabies due to SHBRV.

Characterization and Functional Analysis of the Human Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Gene Promoter

Abstract: Nitric oxide has a wide variety of homeostatic and pathological effects. Control of the production of nitric oxide by the inducible form of the enzyme resides in the 5′ promoter region of the gene. Although control of the murine isoform has been investigated, little is known about the functional aspects of the human analog. A 3.9-kb 5′ nontranslated region of the human gene was cloned, sequenced, and several reporter constructs prepared. The promoter-reporter constructs were transfected into human or murine monocytoid cells and reporter expression quantified following cytokine activation of the cells. The production of nitric oxide was also monitored. Although a murine promoter-reporter functioned efficiently in both human and mouse cells, the human constructs functioned only in human cells. The activity of the mouse construct increased progressively with the addition of activating cytokines, but the human promoter-reporter did not. Although interleukin 1β drove expression of the human inducible nitric oxide synthase reporter, actual expression of nitric oxide required both interleukin 1β and interferon-γ. The data indicate that despite the significant homology between the human and mouse inducible nitric oxide synthase promoter sequence, control of the two genes is quite different. In addition to being more efficient in promoter activity, the murine promoter responds increasingly to cytokines that are not effective for the human analog. It is also apparent that human inducible nitric oxide synthase is controlled at both the level of transcription and post-translationally.

Polypeptides fused with alfalfa mosaic virus or ilarvirus capsid proteins

Abstract: A fusion capsid protein comprising a plant virus capsid protein fused to an antigenic polypeptide is used as a molecule for presentation of that polypeptide to the immune system of an animal such as a human. The plant virus capsid protein is that of an alfalfa mosaic virus (AlMV) or ilarvirus.

Treatment of diseases of the central nervous system using uric acid as a scavenger of peroxynitrite

Abstract: The process of treating a disease of the central nervous system with an agent from one or more of the following three classes of agents: (1) nitric oxide scavengers, (2) peroxynitrite scavengers, and (3) agents that either interfere with the synthesis of iNOS in the cell or the enzymatic activity of iNOS in the cell.

Synthesis of immunologic, therapeutic and prophylactic compounds by endophytic microorganisms

Abstract: A process for the synthesis and delivery of bioactive compounds, compounds that have a therapeutic, biochemical, or immunologic effect on an animal, such as human. In the process, an endophytic microorganism is genetically altered so that it synthesizes the bioactive compound. A plant may be infected with the genetically altered microorganism and used as an oral delivery system.