http://http://dspace.unitus.it:80 The DSpace digital repository system captures, stores, indexes, preserves, and distributes digital research material. Sun, 19 May 2013 05:35:57 GMT 2013-05-19T05:35:57Z http://hdl.handle.net/2067/1679 Title: An “immunome” gene panel for transcriptomic analysis of immune defence activities in the teleost sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.): a review Authors: Randelli, Elisa; Buonocore, Francesco; Casani, Daniela; Fausto, Anna Maria; Scapigliati, Giuseppe Abstract: Teleost fish are the oldest living vertebrates displaying a morphological and functional immune system conserved until mammals, thus representing a useful model for evolutionary studies. Teleosts are increasingly employed as experimental animal species for studies on physiological activities of vertebrates, and are widely used in the aquaculture industry. Due to its importance as high-quality food, the sea bass is, at present, one of the most important farmed species in the Mediterranean sea and many studies reported on the morphological and functional organisation of immune defences with the aim of controlling its health in farming conditions. From these studies, a panel of genes coding for the main immunomodulatory peptides of innate and acquired defences is available and constituted, at present, by genes coding for innate defences, for acquired defences, and for other immune-related activities. In this review all these genes are collected and defined as the sea bass ‘‘immunome’’, that is analysed in an evolutionary context. Description: L'articolo è disponibile sul sito dell'editore http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/default.asp Fri, 31 Dec 2010 23:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2067/1679 2010-12-31T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2067/1863 Title: Sperm quality and reproductive traits in male offspring of female rabbits exposed to Lindane (γ-HCH) during pregnancy and lactation Authors: Fausto, Anna Maria; Morera, Patrizia; Margarit, Rita; Taddei, Anna Rita Abstract: Fifteen Grimaud female hybrid rabbits, 135 days old and weighting an average of kg each, were administered an oral dose of 1 mgkg-1 body weight of Lindane during gestation and lactation period. Fertility rate, libido, volume of ejaculate, concentration and morphology of spermatozoa were investigated to test the effects of the treatment on reproductive traits of first generation male rabbits. Ultrastructure of abnormal spermatozoa was described by Transmission Electron Microscopy and the different abnormalities were quantified. The results obtained indicate that low dose exposure of Lindane has effects on spermatozoa ultrastructure that proved to be susceptible to the treatment with the pesticide (cytoplasmic droplets: 5.3% in control group and 10.3% in Lindane group, ; coiled tails: 1.3% in control group and 4.3% in Lindane group, ) and could be utilised as a good marker of toxicity Sun, 31 Dec 2000 23:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2067/1863 2000-12-31T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2067/1426 Title: Do all stoneflies nymphs have respiratory proteins? Further data on the presence of hemocyanin in the larval stages of plecoptera species Authors: Amore, Valentina; Belardinelli, Maria Cristina; Guerra, Laura; Buonocore, Francesco; Fausto, Anna Maria; Fochetti, Romolo Description: L'articolo è disponibile sul sito dell'editore http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com Wed, 31 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2067/1426 2008-12-31T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2067/1561 Title: The thyroid disruptor 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethane (DDT) prevents internalization of the TSH receptor Authors: Picchietti, Simona; Belardinelli, Maria Cristina; Taddei, Anna Rita; Fausto, Anna Maria; Pellegrino, M.; Rossi, M.; Maggio, Roberto; Giorgi, Franco Abstract: The thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor (TSHr) was made specifically fluorescent by insertion of a tetracysteine motif (TSHr-FlAsH) into the C-terminal end and transiently transfected into COS-7 and HeLa cells. The observation that TSH administration caused the intracellular level of cAMP to increase in both TSHr-FlAsH-transfected cell types indicated that the FlAsH binding motif did not alter normal TSHr functioning. When transfected into HeLa cells and stimulated with TSH, the TSHr-FlAsH receptor exhibited a pronounced perinuclear labelling pattern, whereas labelling remained on the cell surface following pre-incubation with 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethane (DDT). Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-TSHr cells probed with anti-TSHr antibodies were fluorescent mainly in the proximity of the plasma membrane, with fluorescence being primarily restricted to a juxta-nuclear position when exposed to 10 mU/ml TSH for 1 or 5 min. However, in the presence of DDT, the anti-TSHr fluorescence maintained a peripheral location along the cell plasma membrane, even if CHO-TSHr cells were stimulated with TSH for 1 and 5 min. To verify that DDT acted specifically on the TSHr, CHO cells transfected with the A2a receptor were used as controls. Following a 1-min stimulation with 5’-(N-ethyl-carboxamido)-adenosine, A2a receptors were gradually internalized regardless of the presence of DDT in the culture medium. Finally, immunoelectron microscopy of CHO-TSHr cells showed that a 1-min exposure to TSH sufficed to displace anti-TSHr antibodies tagged with 10- nm gold particles into coated pits and vesicles but that their superficial location was retained along the plasma membrane in the presence of DDT. Description: L'articolo è disponibile sul sito dell'editore http://www.springerlink.com/ Wed, 31 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2067/1561 2008-12-31T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2067/1562 Title: Early treatment with Lactobacillus delbrueckii strain induces rise in intestinal T cells and granulocytes and modulates immune related genes of larval Dicentrarchus labrax (L.) Authors: Picchietti, Simona; Fausto, Anna Maria; Randelli, Elisa; Carnevali, Oliana; Taddei, Anna Rita; Buonocore, Francesco; Scapigliati, Giuseppe; Abelli, Luigi Abstract: Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. delbrueckii (AS13B), isolated from the gut of adult Dicentrarchus labrax, was administered live to developing sea bass using rotifers and Artemia as live carriers. Immune-related gene transcripts were quantified in post-larvae at day 70 post-hatch (ph) and histology, electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry of the intestinal tissue were performed at day 74 ph. Since the probiotic was orally administered the studies were focused on intestinal immunity. In treated fish gut integrity was unaffected, while the density of T-cells and acidophilic granulocytes in the intestinal mucosa was significantly higher than in controls. Probiotic-induced increases in intestinal T-cells and total body TcR-beta transcripts are first reported in fish. Significantly lower IL-1beta transcripts and a trend towards lower IL-10, Cox-2 and TGF-beta transcription were found in the treated group. Evidence is provided that early feeding with probiotic-supplemented diet stimulated the larval gut immune system and lowered transcription of key pro-inflammatory genes. Description: L'articolo è disponibile sul sito dell'editore http://www.sciencedirect.com/ Wed, 31 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2067/1562 2008-12-31T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2067/1648 Title: Compartmentalisation of T cells expressing CD8α and TCRβ in developing thymus of sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax (L.) Authors: Picchietti, Simona; Guerra, Laura; Selleri, Luigi; Buonocore, Francesco; Abelli, Luigi; Scapigliati, Giuseppe; Mazzini, Massimo; Fausto, Anna Maria Abstract: Eggs, larvae, post-larvae and sexually immature juveniles of the teleost Dicentrarchus labrax (L.) were assayed for the expression of genes encoding the T cell receptor b and CD8a. RT-PCR of RNA extracted from larvae revealed TCRb transcripts from day 25 posthatching (ph) and CD8a transcripts from 26 days later. At day 51 ph, CD8a and TCRb mRNAs were localised by in situ hybridisation in thymocytes of the outer and lateral zones of the thymic paired glands. From day 75 ph onwards the signal was mainly detected in the outer region, drawing a cortex–medulla demarcation. In 1-year-old fish, CD8a+ and TCRb+ thymocytes almost filled the cortex and extended in large cords in the medulla. A CD8a TCRb+ subcapsular lymphoid zone was evident near the septa coming from the inner connective capsule that delimited the thymus. The localisation of CD8a and TCRb transcripts demonstrated a compartmentalisation of the juvenile thymus due to distinct localisation of thymocytes at different developmental stages. Description: L'articolo è disponibile sul sito dell'editore http://www.sciencedirect.com/ Mon, 31 Dec 2007 23:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2067/1648 2007-12-31T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2067/1563 Title: Lymphocyte differentiation in sea bass thymus: CD4 and CD8-α gene expression studies Authors: Picchietti, Simona; Guerra, Laura; Buonocore, Francesco; Randelli, Elisa; Fausto, Anna Maria; Abelli, Luigi Abstract: Different developmental stages (from eggs to 1-year-old juveniles) of the teleost fish Dicentrarchus labrax (L.) were assayed for CD4 gene expression. RT-PCR revealed the appearance of CD4 transcripts in postlarvae from 51 days post-hatching (dph). This finding overlaps the first detection of CD8-a mRNA. Real-time PCR with specific primers quantified CD4, CD8-a and TCR-b transcripts in larvae and postlarvae (25, 51, 75 and 92 dph) and 1-year-old thymus. At 92 dph, TcR-b and CD8-a transcripts were significantly higher (P < 0.001) than in previous stages, as CD4 transcripts compared with 51 dph (P < 0.01). High levels of TCR-b and CD8-a transcripts were found in the thymus, while CD4 transcripts were lower (P < 0.05 vs. TCR-b). In situ hybridization identified CD4 mRNAs at 51 dph, localized in thymocytes of the outer and lateral zones of the thymic glands. From 75 dph on the signal was mainly detected in the outer region, drawing a cortex–medulla demarcation. Developmental expression of CD4 and CD8-a almost coincided. In each adult thymic lobe CD4þ and CD8-aþ thymocytes filled the cortex. The expression patterns of CD4 and CD8-a largely overlap, except in the medulla, where CD4þ thymocytes were isolated, while CD8-aþ ones mainly arranged in cords. These results provide new information about the thymic compartmentalization and lymphocyte differentiation pathways in a teleost, almost demonstrating that double negative thymocytes fill the cortex giving rise to further selection in the medulla. Description: L'articolo è disponibile sul sito dell'editore http://www.sciencedirect.com/ Wed, 31 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2067/1563 2008-12-31T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2067/1651 Title: Effects of administration of probiotic strains on GALT of larval gilthead seabream: immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies Authors: Picchietti, Simona; Mazzini, Massimo; Taddei, Anna Rita; Renna, Raffaella; Fausto, Anna Maria; Mulero, Victoriano; Carnevali, Oliana; Cresci, Alberto; Abelli, Luigi Abstract: Two bacterial strains Lactobacillus fructivorans (AS17B), isolated from adult seabream (Sparus aurata L.) gut, and Lactobacillus plantarum (906), isolated from human faeces, were administered contemporaneously during seabream development using Brachionus plicatilis and/or Artemia salina and dry feed as vectors. Experimental group A received the probiotic strains already via rotifers from day 5 post-hatch (ph), whereas treatment of group B began with Artemia feeding from day 27 ph. Fish were sampled at day 28 ph (group A and control) and day 99 ph (groups A, B and control) for electron microscopy, histology and immunohistochemistry with the polyclonal antiserum ORa against homologous serum Ig and the mAb G7 specific for seabream acidophilic granulocytes. In all groups, timing and pattern of differentiation of the digestive tract did not differ. Furthermore, neither tissue damage nor manifest inflammation was provoked by probiotic administration. At day 28 ph, the developing GALTalready housed mucosal leucocytes, including Igþ cells but no acidophilic granulocytes. No differences were seen between experimental groups. At day 99 ph, the density of Igþ cells (þ51%) and acidophilic granulocytes (þ284%) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in group A than in controls. Also group B had a higher density of Igþ cells (þ17%) and acidophilic granulocytes (þ130%) compared with controls, although less pronounced. Light and electron microscopy observations detailed the occurrence of heterogeneous populations of lymphocytes and granulocytes in the developing intestinal mucosa, and highlighted the net expansion of G7þ acidophilic granulocytes (A þ536%, B þ292% vs. control) due to probiotic administration. Description: L'articolo è disponibile sul sito dell'editore http://www.sciencedirect.com/ Sun, 31 Dec 2006 23:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2067/1651 2006-12-31T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2067/1666 Title: Dispositivi medici di collagene utilizzati come agenti emostatici e cicatrizzanti Authors: Taddei, Anna Rita; Picchietti, Simona; Gambellini, Gabriella; Fausto, Anna Maria; Giorgi, F.; Cervadoro, E.; Ricciuti, F. Abstract: Quattro dispositivi medici di collagene sono stati esaminati al microscopio elettronico per determinare le migliori condizioni strutturali che ne giustificano il ruolo come agenti emostatici e cicatrizzanti. I parametri che sono stati considerati più efficaci per il processo di guarigione sono la struttura interstiziale e lo spessore dei fasci di collagene che la delimitano. Spazi interstiziali troppo grandi o troppo piccoli non sono in grado di sostenere la migrazione cellulare, mentre fasce di collagene troppo fini o troppo spessi possono influenzare il tempo di persistenza del dispositivo sulla ferita. Sulla base di questi criteri, è stato trovato che i campioni di Condress realizzano il miglior compromesso tra l'estensione della struttura interstiziale e lo spessore dei fasci di collagene.; Four collagen samples were examined at the electron microscope to find out the best structural conditions satisfying their haemostatic and cicatrizing roles. Parameters considered most effective during healing process are the mesh substructure and the thickness of the collagen strands. Meshes too large or too small may not be suitable for sustaining cell migration, while collagen strands too thin or too thick may affect the actual persistence of the medical device on the wounded area. Based on this criteria, Condress samples are thought to provide the best structural compromise between extension of the mesh areas and thickness of the collagen strands. Description: L'articolo è disponibile sul sito dell'editore http://www.seuroma.com/ Wed, 31 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2067/1666 2008-12-31T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2067/2205 Title: Transcription of T cell-related genes in teleost fish, and the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) as a model Authors: Boschi, Ilenia; Randelli, Elisa; Buonocore, Francesco; Casani, Daniela; Bernini, Chiara; Fausto, Anna Maria; Scapigliati, Giuseppe Abstract: In recent years the cloning of genes coding for immuno-regulatory peptides, as well as the sequencing of genomes, provided fish immunologists with a growing amount of information on nucleotide sequences. Research is now also addressed in investigating the functional immunology counterpart of nucleotide sequence transcripts in various fish species. In this respect, studies on functional immunology of T cell activities are still at their beginning, and much work is needed to investigate T cell responses in teleost fish species. In this review we summarise the current knowledge on the group of genes coding for main T cell-related peptides in fish, and the expression levels of these genes in organs and tissues. Particular attention is paid to European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), a marine species in which some information on functional immunology has been obtained, and we reassume here the expression of some T cell-related genes in basal conditions. In addition, we provide original data showing that T cells purified from the intestinal mucosa of sea bass with a specific mAb, express transcripts for TRgamma, TRbeta, CDalpha and RAG-1, thus showing similarities with intraepithelial leucocytes of mammals. Description: L'articolo è disponibile sul sito dell'editore http://www.sciencedirect.com Fri, 31 Dec 2010 23:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2067/2205 2010-12-31T23:00:00Z