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Co-immunoprecipitation of the Mouse Mx1 Protein with the Influenza A Virus Nucleoprotein
Published on: April 21, 2015
Immunohistochemical evaluation of mx protein expression in canine encephalitides
B F Porter1, A Ambrus, R W Storts
1Texas A and M University, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Pathobiology, College Station, TX 77843-4467, USA. bporter@cvm.tamu.edu
Abstract:
Mx proteins are a group of interferon-induced GTPases whose expression has been demonstrated in a number of human viral infections and in some idiopathic inflammatory diseases. In this study, the expression of Mx protein was evaluated in known viral, nonviral, and idiopathic encephalitides in the dog via immunohistochemistry using an antibody against human MxA. All 12 cases of confirmed viral encephalitis, including 7 cases of canine distemper, 4 cases of canine herpesvirus, and 1 case of rabies, were Mx positive. In canine distemper cases, staining was particularly strong and a variety of cell types were positive, including astrocytes, macrophages/microglia, and neurons. Immunoreactivity for Mx protein was evident in a few cases of nonviral infectious encephalitis, including neosporosis (1/1), Chagas disease (2/3), aspergillosis (1/2), and encephalitozoonosis (1/1). Consistent staining was observed in most cases of idiopathic encephalitis, including granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis (7/7), necrotizing meningoencephalitis of pug dogs (6/7), and necrotizing encephalitis of the Yorkshire Terrier (3/3) and Maltese (1/1) breeds. Mx staining was negative in 5 normal dog brains; 3 cases of cryptococcosis; and single cases of blastomycosis, protothecosis, and bacterial meningitis.
Insights
Mx protein, an indicator of interferon response, is expressed in canine viral, nonviral, and idiopathic encephalitis. This finding aids in diagnosing various canine brain inflammation conditions.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Mx proteins are interferon-induced GTPases implicated in antiviral responses.
- Their expression is observed in human viral infections and inflammatory conditions.
- Mx protein expression in canine encephalitides has not been extensively studied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Mx protein expression in various forms of canine encephalitis.
- To determine if Mx protein can serve as a diagnostic marker for different encephalitis types in dogs.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect Mx protein in canine brain tissue samples.
- An antibody targeting human MxA was used for detection.
- Cases included viral, nonviral infectious, and idiopathic encephalitides, as well as normal controls.
Main Results:
- All 12 confirmed viral encephalitis cases (canine distemper, herpesvirus, rabies) were Mx positive.
- Strong Mx staining was noted in canine distemper affecting astrocytes, macrophages/microglia, and neurons.
- Mx protein was detected in some nonviral infectious (Neospora, Chagas, Aspergillosis, Encephalitozoon) and most idiopathic encephalitis cases (GME, NME).
- Mx staining was negative in normal brains and certain infections (cryptococcosis, blastomycosis, protothecosis, bacterial meningitis).
Conclusions:
- Mx protein expression is a consistent feature across viral encephalitides in dogs.
- Mx protein is also expressed in a subset of nonviral infectious and idiopathic encephalitides, suggesting a role in inflammatory responses.
- Mx protein immunohistochemistry shows potential as a diagnostic aid for canine encephalitis.
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