Changes in peripheral blood leukocyte subpopulations in piglets co-infected experimentally with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and porcine circovirus type 2

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) are pathogens, which can significantly affect the swine industry worldwide. Field surveys suggest that simultaneous PRRSV and PCV2 infection is common in pigs. The objective of this study was to measure the changes in peripheral blood leukocyte subpopulations in piglets co-infected experimentally with PRRSV and PCV2, in order to analyze the synergistic influence of co-infection on the immune system. Changes in peripheral blood leukocyte subpopulations were systematically measured by flow cytometry (FCM). The levels of antibodies to PRRSV and PCV2 were detected by indirect Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA) and the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFA), respectively. Serum viral loads were measured using real-time PCR. The results showed that piglets co-infected with PRRSV and PCV2 exhibited slower generation and lower levels of antibodies to PRRSV and PCV2, and increased amounts and a prolonged presence of both PRRSV and PCV2 in serum, in comparison to the piglets infected with either virus alone. The major finding in our study was that the total and differential leukocyte counts, including white blood cells (WBCs), monocytes, granulocytes and lymphocytes (T, B and NK cells, as well as T-cell subpopulations), dramatically decreased early during co-infection with PRRSV and PCV2 for about two weeks, in contrast with animals singly infected with either PRRSV or PCV2. These results suggest that PRRSV and PCV2 co-infection results in a synergistic decrease in immune cells in the peripheral blood of piglets. These data contribute to the understanding of the immunosuppressive effects resulting from PRRSV and PCV2 co-infection in pigs.     

Co-infection of porcine dendritic cells with porcine circovirus type 2a (PCV2a) and genotype II porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) induces CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) T cells in vitro

Porcine circovirus associated disease (PCVAD) is currently one of the most economically important diseases in the global swine industry. Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is the primary causative agent, however co-infection with other swine pathogens such as porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is often required to induce the full spectrum of clinical PCVAD. While the specific mechanisms of viral co-infection that lead to clinical disease are not fully understood, immune modulation by the co-infecting viruses likely plays a critical role. We evaluated the ability of dendritic cells (DC) infected with PRRSV, PCV2, or both to induce regulatory T cells (T(regs)) in vitro. DCs infected with PCV2 significantly increased CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) T(regs) (p<0.05) and DCs co-infected with PRRSV and PCV2 induced significantly higher numbers of T(regs) than with PCV2 alone (p<0.05). Cytokine analysis indicated that the induction of T(regs) by co-infected DCs may be dependent on TGF-β and not IL-10. Our data support the immunomodulatory role of PCV2/PRRSV co-infection in the pathogenesis of PCVAD, specifically via T(reg)-mediated immunosuppression.     

ORF1 but not ORF2 dependent differences are important for in vitro replication of PCV2 in porcine alveolar macrophages singularly or coinfected with PRRSV

The objective of this study was to investigate cytokine expression and in vitro replication of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAMs) emphasizing PCV2 open-reading frame (ORF) origin (PCV2a or PCV2b) and PRRSV strain. Chimeric PCV2 viruses composed of different combinations of ORF1 and ORF2 of PCV2a or PCV2b (chimera PCV2a-2b and chimera PCV2b-2a) were constructed and five different PRRSV isolates were utilized: Type 1 (SD 01-08) or type 2 (NC16845b, VR-2332, MN-184, JA-142). PAMs were infected singularly or with combinations of PCV2b, PCV2a, chimera PCV2a-2b, and chimera PCV2b-2a, and one of the five PRRSV isolates. Real-time PCR was used to test PAMs (PCV2 mRNA) and supernatants (PRRSV RNA, PCV2 DNA, PCV2 mRNA) harvested at 24, 48, 72 and 96h post inoculation (hpi). Levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-10 were determined by quantitative ELISAs. PCV2 replication in PAMs was limited to groups inoculated with PCV2 strains containing ORF1 of PCV2a (PCV2a, chimera PCV2a-2b). Furthermore, in supernatants, PCV2 mRNA was only detected in groups coinfected with PRRSV regardless of strain at 48hpi supporting an enhancing effect of PRRSV on PCV2 infection. Changes in cytokine levels were minimal and associated with PRRSV strain for TNF-α. In summary, in vitro differences in PCV2 replication in PAMs inoculated with different PCV2-PRRSV combinations were independent of PCV2 ORF2 origin with minimal effects of concurrent PRRSV infection perhaps indicating that PCV2-specific changes in ORF1 may be more important than those in ORF2.     

Analysis of constitutive cytokine expression by pigs infected in-utero with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus

To investigate cytokine alterations in pigs infected in-utero with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), constitutive mRNA expression by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was measured. PBMC from in-utero PRRSV-infected pigs displayed significantly increased IL-6, IL-10, and IFN-gamma mRNA expression at 0 and 14 days of age compared with age-matched control pigs. There were no significant differences in IL-2, IL-4, and IL-12 mRNA expression between in-utero PRRSV-infected and control pigs. However, the IL-10/IL-12 ratio was significantly increased in in-utero PRRSV-infected pigs at 0 and 14 days of age, suggesting the imbalance of IL-10 and IL-12 mRNA production. The abnormal mRNA expression of cytokines in in-utero PRRSV-infected pigs occurred concurrently with a significant decrease in the CD4(+)/CD8(+) T-cell ratio in peripheral blood. PRRSV was not isolated from the sera of pigs at 9 weeks of age that had been viremic at 0 and 14 days old. Delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses to Tuberculin and analysis of cytokine mRNA expression by PBMC showed that cell-mediated immune response and cytokine message profiles in pigs infected in-utero with PRRSV had returned to levels similar to those of control pigs by 9 weeks of age. We conclude that in-utero infection with PRRSV results in significant alteration of cytokine mRNA expression that may cause transient immunomodulation. However, at 10 weeks of age the pigs' immune responses seemed to recover. This may help to understand the immunopathogenesis of in-utero PRRSV infection and the increased susceptibility to secondary bacterial pathogens in neonatal piglets.     

猪IL-2、IL-12p40和IFN-γ SYBR Green I real-time PCR检测方法的建立

针对猪Th1型细胞因子IL-2、IL-12p40、IFN-γ以及管家基因β-actin的基因序列分别设计一对特异性引物,构建含有各自引物扩增序列的重组质粒作为阳性标准品,建立了检测IL-2、IL-12p40、IFN-γ及β-actin的SYBR Green I real-time PCR方法。该方法线性关系好,标准曲线的相关系数均达到0.997以上;敏感性高,初始模板的检出下限均达到100拷贝/μL;特异性强,扩增产物形成单一的特异性熔解峰;重复性好,组内与组间的变异系数均小于3.5%。应用所建立的方法对猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒感染仔猪外周血单个核细胞中IL-2、IL-12p40和IFN-γ mRNA的表达水平进行了检测。结果表明,所建立的real-time PCR检测方法灵敏度高、特异性强、重复性好。     

Cytokine gene expression profiles in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from Neospora caninum naturally infected dams throughout gestation

Neospora caninum is a major cause of abortion in cattle but it is not known why some infected animals suffer abortion while others do not. An essential role in protective immunity against N. caninum has been proposed for Th1 cytokines such as IFN-γ and IL-12 although cytokine patterns in N. caninum infected pregnant cattle have been scarcely addressed. In this study, gene expression of the cytokines IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-10, IL-4 and TNF-α was analyzed by real time RT-PCR in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in N. caninum naturally infected dams throughout pregnancy. Blood samples were drawn from 18 cows (13 N. caninum seropositive and 5 N. caninum seronegative) on Days 45, 90, 120, 150, 180 and 210 of pregnancy or until abortion. Four seropositive animals aborted. Compared to the seronegative animals, N. caninum infected dams showed up-regulated mRNA levels of the Th1 cytokines, IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-12p40, along with up-regulation of the T regulatory (Treg) cytokine IL-10. In contrast, expression levels of IL-4 (Th2 cytokine) did not differ significantly among the different groups throughout the study period. Our findings indicate clear differences in peripheral blood cytokine gene expression levels during pregnancy between animals naturally infected with N. caninum and seronegative control animals. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the gene expression of Th1, Th2 and regulatory cytokines in the peripheral blood of pregnant cows naturally infected with N. caninum.     

三种猪繁殖与呼吸综合征疫苗免疫效果评价

为研究不同猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒(PRRSV)疫苗的的免疫特性,分别采用PRRSV变异株(JXA1-R)弱毒疫苗、经典PRRSV(VR 2332)弱毒疫苗、变异株(JXA1)灭活疫苗,免疫接种PRRSV抗原和抗体阴性的健康断奶仔猪,免疫接种后70d用PRRSV变异株强毒攻毒,ELISA检测血清中PRRSV特异的抗体水平及IFN-γ、IL 2、IL 4、IL 8、IL 10的水平,并进行临床症状和肺部病理组织学观察和评分。结果表明,VR 2332、JXA1-R弱毒疫苗对免疫猪攻毒保护效果差异不显著,均为63.6%(7/11),JXA1灭活疫苗免疫攻毒保护效果较差,为36.4%(4/11)。试验还发现病毒感染猪血清中细胞因子IFN-γ和IL-10的比值可以作为评价疫苗免疫效果的一个指标。     

猪圆环病毒和猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒混合感染对仔猪致病性的评估

本研究通过猪圆环病毒2型(Porcine circovirus type 2,PCV2)和猪繁殖与呼吸综合征(Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus,PRRSV)强毒共感染3周龄健康仔猪来评价其致病性。试验动物随机分为3组,空白对照组(n=3头),PRRSV单独感染组(n=3头),PCV2和PRRSV共感染组(n=6头),从而比较相互之间的差异。通过临床症状、病理学变化、病原学和血清学检查,对二者混合感染仔猪的致病性进行了研究。结果表明PCV2和PRRSV共同感染能引起仔猪断奶后多系统消耗性综合征,表现为淋巴组织肿大、出血,肉芽肿性炎症,坏死性肝炎,仔猪消瘦、生长缓慢等特征性病变;混合感染能加重PRRSV对仔猪引起的间质性肺炎的严重程度。混合感染可以出现支气管肺炎和明显的肝病变,淋巴结多呈界限明显的块状出血等典型病变。     

猪IL-4、IL-6和IL-10 SYBR Green Ⅰ real-time PCR检测方法的建立及应用

为探讨PRRSV感染后机体的体液免疫应答、从分子水平深入研究PRRSV的免疫机制,本研究针对Th2型细胞因子IL-4、IL-6、IL-10以及看家基因β-actin的基因序列分别设计一对特异性引物,构建含有各自引物扩增序列的重组质粒作为阳性标准品,建立了检测IL-4、IL-6、IL-10及β-actin的SYBR Green Ⅰ real-time PCR方法。该方法线性关系好,各种细胞因子及β-actin标准曲线的相关系数均达到0.997以上;敏感性高,初始模板的检出下限均达到1×101copies/μL;特异性强,扩增产物形成单一的特异性熔解峰;重复性好,组内与组间的变异系数均小于3%。应用所建立的方法对猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒(PRRSV)感染仔猪外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)中IL-4、IL-6和IL-10mRNA的表达水平进行了检测。结果表明,本研究建立的real-timePCR检测方法灵敏度高、特异性强、重复性好,可以用于猪Th2型细胞因子的检测及定量分析。     

猪圆环病毒2型感染猪皮肤源树突状细胞炎性反应能力的变化

用PCV2 B1株经鼻腔接种40日龄SPF仔猪,于接种后3、7、14 d宰杀,收集皮肤源树突状细胞(DC).利用实时荧光定量PCR技术对感染仔猪皮肤源DC的IL-10、TNF-α、IFN-α、IL-8、趋化因子受体1(CCR1)、CCR5在mRNA转录水平的变化进行定量分析.结果表明,IFN-α在接种后3 d(3DPI)显著下调(P＜0.05),TNF-α、IL-10在7DPI时显著上调(P＜0.05);趋化因子IL-8在3、7、14 DPI时均下调,差异接近显著;MCP-1在感染后3、14DPI下调,7DPI均上调,但不显著;MIP-1β在3、7DPI明显上调,14DPI恢复正常;趋化因子受体CCR1、CCR5在3、7和14DPI均上调,且7DPI显著上调(P＜0.05).以上结果表明PCV2在感染早期可抑制DC炎性反应的能力,免疫应答失调,影响了动物机体的细胞和体液免疫功能的发挥.     

猪圆环病毒2型感染对猪瘟弱毒疫苗接种猪免疫应答的影响

为探索猪圆环病毒2型(PCV2)感染对猪瘟(CSF)弱毒疫苗接种猪免疫应答的影响,将20头28 d断奶仔猪随机分为V-I、I-V、V和C4组,5头·组-1.V-I组在接种CSF弱毒疫苗后2d感染PCV2;I-V组在感染PCV2 后2d接种CSF弱毒疫苗;V组只接种CSF弱毒疫苗;C组为空白对照组.共免疫2次,间隔21 d.免疫后定期检测血清CSFV特异性抗体水平、外周血淋巴细胞(PBLC)增殖活性和PBLC中IFN-γ、IL-2、IL-4和IL-10 mRNA的表达水平.结果显示:在CSF弱毒疫苗免疫前或免疫后感染PCV2,均会导致CSFV抗体水平低下,血清抗体阳转率下降,PBLC增殖活性降低.初次免疫后,V-I与I-V组的PBLC内IFN-γ、IL-2、IL-4和IL-10 mRNA的表达量严重不足,其中V-I组的表达量最低.加强免疫后V-I与I-V组的PBLC内IFN-γ与IL-10的表达失衡,IL-2和IL-4的表达缺乏,其中I-V组的细胞因子表达失衡和缺乏更严重.上述研究表明,CSF弱毒疫苗免疫前或免疫后感染PCV2均会影响机体的体液和细胞免疫应答水平,导致PBLC内细胞因子的表达严重抑制和紊乱.     

3种猪细胞因子mRNA实时荧光定量RT-PCR检测方法的建立与应用

为建立猪细胞因子SYBR Green Ⅰ实时荧光定量RT-PCR检测方法,根据GenBank中3种重要的猪细胞因子即猪白细胞介素-2(interleukin-2,IL-2)、α-干扰素(interferon α,IFN-α)和肿瘤坏死因子-α(tumor necrosis factor,TNF-α)的基因序列,设计特异引物扩增目的基因.将3种基因克隆至pMD18-T载体上,得到各自阳性克隆质粒,以3种阳性质粒为标准品建立标准曲线并进行熔解曲线分析以及灵敏性、特异性和重复性试验.结果表明,当标准品稀释度为1×10¹~1×10⁶ 拷贝/μL时,3种基因的Ct值与浓度间具有良好的线性关系,相关系数均≥0.992.熔解曲线分析表明,产物为特异性单峰且重复性较好.应用建立的方法对猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒(PRRSV)TJM-F92株免疫的30日龄猪外周血单核细胞(PBMC)中IL-12、IFN-α和TNF-α表达量进行检测,结果发现,免疫了PRRSV TJM-F92株的猪PBMC细胞内3种细胞因子表达量均极显著升高(P< 0.01).研究结果为IL-12、IFN-α和TNF-α的定量分析提供了技术平台.     

Cytokine induction by immunostimulatory DNA in porcine PBMC is impaired by a hairpin forming sequence motif from the genome of Porcine Circovirus type 2 (PCV2)

Porcine Circovirus type 2 (PCV2) can cause postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) in young pigs with severe immunosuppression as a major characteristic of the disease complex. Despite the dramatic involvement of the immune system, the interaction between PCV2 and the host is until date not well understood. The DNA genome of PCV2 contains sequences that in synthetic form (oligodeoxyribonucleotides; ODNs) can act immunomodulatory on porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (poPBMCs) in vitro. One such sequence (ODN PCV2/1) acts inhibitory on interferon (IFN)-α production induced by immunostimulatory DNA but not that induced by RNA, and the inhibitory activity is dependent on secondary structure formation. In the present study, the characteristic of ODN PCV2/1 was examined further by altering the nucleotide sequence to disrupt hairpin structure formation but still enable multimer structures through G-tetrads. This modification resulted in loss of IFN-α-inhibitory activity of the ODN and thus indicated the importance of hairpin structures. In addition, ODN PCV2/1 was compared to another inhibitory ODN (IRS 869) previously used in human and murine cells. In contrast to ODN PCV2/1, ODN IRS 869 did not inhibit IFN-α production induced by class A ODN 2216 but was a more efficient inhibitor of IFN-α production induced by plasmid DNA than ODN PCV2/1. In cultures induced by the RNA stimulator Poly I:C, however, a strong synergistic IFN-α stimulatory effect was seen in combination with ODN IRS 869. These results indicate that ODN PCV2/1 and ODN IRS 869 function through separate mechanisms to affect cytokine production by immune cells. The effect of ODN PCV2/1 was studied further by monitoring the expression of mRNA for IFN-α, IL-12p40, IL-10, IL-6, IFN-γ, IL-1β, TGF-β, and TNF-α in cultures of poPBMC stimulated with ODN 2216 or Poly I:C. Results from qPCR analyses showed that ODN PCV2/1 clearly inhibited the expression of IFN-α, IL-12p40, IL-10 and IL-6 when induced by ODN 2216, but did not seem to affect any of the cytokines examined when induced by Poly I:C. Initial studies using confocal microscopy and fluorochrome labelled ODNs indicate that ODN 2216 and ODN PCV2/1 co-localize in subpopulations of poPBMC.     

Lymphocyte activation as cytokine gene expression and secretion is related to the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) isolate after in vitro homologous and heterologous recall of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from pigs vaccinated and exposed to natural infection

The present study evaluated the lymphocyte activation in PRRSV-vaccinated pigs subsequently exposed to natural infection by in vitro stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with homologous vaccine and two heterologous PRRSV isolates. The responsiveness was assessed by determining IFN-γ secreting cells by ELISpot assay, lymphocyte CD8 phenotype by intracellular staining/flow cytometry, cytokine gene expression by real-time quantitative PCR and cytokine secretion by ELISA. Conventional pigs were weaned at 28 days of age and inoculated intramuscularly (IM) or needle-less intradermally (ID) with a modified-live PRRSV vaccine suspended in adjuvant, while control pigs were injected with adjuvant alone (ADJ). Blood samples were collected at vaccination, 35 days post-vaccination and after 35 days post-exposure to natural infection by a heterologous field strain. Thirty-five days post-vaccination, PRRSV vaccine induced a low but significant virus-specific IFN-γ secreting cell response upon stimulation with both the vaccine strain and the two isolates in vaccinated pigs. Conversely, after 35 days post-exposure, only the vaccine strain and the BS/114/S isolate triggered this response. Intracellular staining showed that PRRSV-specific immune cells reacting upon vaccine strain and BS/114/S stimulation were mostly CD8⁺ IFN-γ producing cells whereas the stimulation with BS/55 isolate induced an IFN-γ production associated to the CD8^?IFN-γ⁺ phenotype. At 35 days post-vaccination, PBMC from vaccinated pigs showed lower IL-10 expression and release, and higher TNF-α gene expression upon stimulation with both the vaccine and viral isolates. After infection, both cytokines were not differently modulated in different groups. Immune parameters give evidence that IFN-γ secreting cells in the peripheral blood can be elicited upon PRRSV infection although vaccination itself does not stimulate high levels of these reactive cells. Moreover, the cross-reactivity against divergent PRRS viruses can show a different intensity and be differently associated with cytotoxic CD8⁺IFN-γ⁺ as well as CD8^?IFN-γ⁺ cells. Overall, the obtained data confirmed that the immune activation against PRRSV is not dependent on the genetic divergence of the virus. Especially after infection, a different immune reactivity was evident upon stimulation with the different isolates in terms of frequency and CD8 phenotype of PRRSV-specific IFN-γ producing cells. The modulation of cytokines in vaccinated pigs appeared to be more dependent on vaccination or infection conditions than on stimulation by different isolates, and the changes of IL-10 more relevant than those of TNF-α at gene and protein levels. Moreover, under the conditions of this study, the PRRSV vaccine administered via the intradermal route by a needle-less device was confirmed to induce an immune response comparable or in some cases higher than the intramuscular route.     

Immune responses in piglets infected with highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection compromises the host's innate and adaptive immunity. The aim of this study was to investigate the immune responses of piglets infected with highly pathogenic (HP) PRRSV (HuN4 strain) with or without the immunization with CH-1R attenuated PRRSV vaccine. The response was evaluated for the clinical signs, pathological changes and virus load in immune organs, antibody responses and levels of serum IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-10. The result showed that in comparison with the piglets received the immunization, the piglets infected with HP-PRRSV alone had the thymus atrophy, decreased serum levels of IL-4 and increased serum levels of IL-10 and INF-γ. These results suggest that elevated IL-10 levels at the early stage of the infection may enhance virus survival and delay the induction of protective immunity, while increased levels of IL-4 induce the effective immune responses and increase the animals' health status.     

地锦草总黄酮对小鼠免疫功能及细胞因子mRNA表达影响

探讨地锦草总黄酮对小鼠免疫功能及细胞因子IL-2、IL-12、IFN-γ、TNF-αmRNA表达影响。将小鼠随机分成4组：地锦草总黄酮高剂量组（H组）、中剂量组（M组）、低剂量组（L组）和纯水对照组（C组）,连续灌胃9 d后,检测其单核巨噬细胞吞噬功能、2%绵羊红细胞诱导的小鼠迟发型变态反应、肝脏指数和脾脏指数,并用逆转录酶-聚合酶链式反应的方法检测脾脏IL-2、IL-12、IFN-γ和TNF-αmRNA表达水平。结果显示,地锦草总黄酮3个剂量组脾脏指数、廓清指数（K）、吞噬指数（α）、24 h足跖增厚值均显著高于C组;M组和H组肝指数显著高于C组（P〈0.01）;3个剂量组均能提高IL-2、IL-12、IFN-γ和TNF-αmRNA的表达水平,与C组相比,H组最显著。试验结果表明,地锦草总黄酮能有效提高机体的免疫功能及IL-2、IL-12、IFN-γ和TNF-αmRNA表达。     

Intestinal gene expression in pigs experimentally co-infected with PCV2 and PPV

The objective of the present study was to characterize the local immune reaction in the intestine of pigs experimentally infected with PCV2 and PPV. Archived intestinal material from an experimental study in which pigs were co-infected with a Swedish isolate of PCV2 (S-PCV2) and PPV, or a reference isolate of PCV2 (PCV2-1010) and PPV, were used. The intestinal samples were analysed by qPCR for expression of a number of selected cytokines and the overall gene expression in the intestine was screened by cDNA microarray. Analyses by qPCR showed that pigs infected with PCV2-1010/PPV displayed a significantly increased mRNA expression for IL-6 (p<0.05), IL-10 (p<0.05) and IFN-γ (p<0.05). The microarray screening revealed a strong up-regulation of IFITM3 along with several other interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) in pigs infected with PCV2/PPV. The analyses also indicated differences between the two isolates. Fewer pigs infected with S-PCV2/PPV expressed the cytokines detected by qPCR, compared to pigs infected with PCV2-1010/PPV, and pigs infected with S-PCV2/PPV displayed a higher proportion of down-regulated genes than PCV2-1010/PPV-infected pigs.     

Cytokine profiles in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with cystic echinococcosis

IntroductionCystic echinococcosis (CE) is a chronic zoonotic disease caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus (E. granulosus), which affects domestic and wild carnivores as the definitive host and ungulates as intermediate hosts. In intermediate hosts, both Th1 and Th2 cells are involved in the immune responses to an echinoccocal infection. This study aimed to investigate production of IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-γ cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of CE patients before and after surgical treatment.MethodsTo evaluate cytokine production in response to E. granulosus antigens, we investigated IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-γ production in PBMCs of 20 CE patients in response to hydatid cyst fluid antigen (HCF-Ag) before and after surgical treatment using ELISA.ResultsThe mean IL-4 production from HCF-Ag stimulated PBMCs was significantly decreased (p < 0.05), while IFN-γ was significantly increased in HCF-Ag stimulated PBMCs in patients after surgery (p = 0.005).Furthermore, our results showed that there is no significant difference between IL-10 production in patients before and after treatment (p = 0.562).ConclusionsOur data Indicated production of IL-4 in cultured PBMCs of CE patients stimulated with HCF-Ag was decreased significantly. While, production of IFN-γ was increased significantly in responses to HCF Ag after surgery. We concluded that the evaluation of IL-4 and IFN-γ in HCF-Ag stimulated PBMCs of CE patients should be considered as a useful marker in the follow up of patients with cystic echinococcosis.     

Proinflammatory cytokine expression in the lung of pigs with porcine circovirus type 2-associated respiratory disease

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) causes a significant health problem for the swine industry worldwide. In this study, we investigated the cytokine expression profiles (IFN-γ, IL-1α, IL-8, and IL-10) in the lungs of pigs with PCV2-associated respiratory disease. The mRNA expressions of IL-1α and IL-8 were significantly up-regulated in pigs with PCV2-associated respiratory disease, while IL-10 expression was not detected. These results suggest that the increased expressions of proinflammatory cytokines in the lungs may play an important role in the immunopathologic response in pigs with PCV2-associated respiratory disease.