In vitro study of neutrophil apoptosis in dogs

In the present study, to investigate the apoptosis of the polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) from healthy dogs, we carried out TUNEL assay and DNA analysis by electrophoresis on dog PMNs. The TUNEL assay indicated that apoptotic PMNs in dogs were 0.15+/-5% before incubation, 0.3+/-5% at 4h incubation, 1+/-6% at 8h, 9+/-4% at 12h and 28+/-5% at 24h, respectively. The ladder formation was much more clearly observed in DNA from PMNs after 24h incubation at 37 degrees C than that before incubation. The results in this study indicated that healthy dog PMNs undergo apoptosis spontaneously within hours to days, and that the apoptosis of PMNs might be related to the high turnover of these circulating cells in dogs.     

In vitro effect of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-alpha on canine neutrophil apoptosis

Neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes: PMNs) are essential for the host defense against various infections and are often injurious to the host, causing inflammatory diseases where tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is suggested to play an important role. Since an effect of TNF-alpha on canine PMN apoptosis has not been studied, canine PMNs were stimulated with recombinant human (rh)TNF-alpha in the present study to investigate the effect of TNF-alpha on canine PMN apoptosis. PMN apoptosis and function to produce ROS were assessed by flow cytometry. Delayed apoptosis was observed in the PMNs treated with rhTNF-alpha at 100 ng/ml, accompanied by retention of capability to produce ROS. However, PMN apoptosis was accelerated by rhTNF-alpha combined with cycloheximide. Therefore, it is indicated that TNF-alpha is able to activate anti- and pro-apoptotic pathways in PMNs and that the inhibition of PMN apoptosis by TNF-alpha requires protein synthesis in the PMNs.     

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Dexamethasone after Intravenous Administration in Camels: Effect of Dose

The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of dexamethasone were evaluated in healthy camels after single intravenous bolus doses of 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 mg/kg body weight. Dexamethasone showed dose-independent pharmacokinetics. The pharmacokinetic parameters of the two-compartment pharmacokinetic model for the lowest intravenous dose (mean+/-SD) were as follows: terminal elimination half-life 8.17 +/- 1.79 h; total body clearance 100.7 +/- 52.1 (ml/h)/kg; volume of distribution at steady state 0.95 +/- 0.23 L/kg; and volume of the central compartment 0.22 +/- 0.07 L/kg. The extent of plasma protein binding was linear over the concentration range 5-100 ng/ml and averaged 75% +/- 2%. Pharmacodynamic effects were evaluated by measuring endogenous plasma cortisol concentrations, numbers of circulating lymphocytes and neutrophils and plasma glucose concentrations and were analysed using indirect pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic models. The cumulative systemic effect increased with dose for markers of pharmacodynamic activity. The estimated IC50 of dexamethasone for cortisol and lymphocytes for the lowest dose were 3.74 +/- 2.44 and 5.58 +/- 8.37 ng/ml, respectively and the EC50 values for neutrophils and glucose were 45.8 +/- 36.9 and 1.17 +/- 0.71 ng/ml, respectively.     

复方苦芩对犬细小病毒致肠黏膜细胞凋亡及相关基因表达的影响

将犬分为空白对照组、模型组、复方苦芩预防组、复方苦芩治疗组,用犬细小病毒接种建立动物模型,复方苦芩防治犬细小病毒病,然后取样,光学显微镜和电子显微镜观察十二指肠黏膜细胞的病变和细胞凋亡,逆转录聚合酶链式反应（RT-PCR）法检测Bcl-2和Bax基因的mRNA表达。结果显示,与空白对照组比较,模型组犬十二指肠黏膜病变及炎细胞浸润,电镜下可见细胞收缩,核浓缩,深染,线粒体肿胀空化,细胞Bcl-2基因表达下调,Bax基因表达增加。与模型组相比,复方苦芩防治组肠黏膜病变轻,超微结构变化不明显,细胞Bax基因表达下调,Bcl-2基因表达上调。结果表明,复方苦芩可能是通过促进黏膜上皮细胞的增殖与恢复,调节Bcl-2,Bax基因表达,抑制犬细小病毒引起的十二指肠黏膜超微结构改变和细胞凋亡,而对细小病毒病犬的十二指肠组织结构起保护和促进恢复作用。     

玉米赤霉烯酮中毒大鼠卵巢组织Bax和Bcl-2的表达

10周龄SD大鼠单剂量腹腔注射5mg／kg玉米赤霉烯酮玉米油溶液，分别于3、6、12、24、48h时剖杀取卵巢组织，检测不同时间卵巢组织Bax和Bcl-2的表达。结果显示，病理组织学观察发现卵巢组织出现不同程度损伤，卵泡颗粒细胞发生凋亡。免疫组化SP法试验组与对照组卵巢组织中均有Bax和Bcl-2的表达，并且随着时间的推进呈现动态变化。Bax在3、6、12h时表达量上调，表达量与对照组比较差异显著（P〈0．05），24、48h时表达量下降，与对照组比较差异不显著（P〉O．05）。3～48h卵巢组织中Bcl-2表达量与对照组比较差异不显著（P〉0．05）。结果表明，大鼠玉米赤霉烯酮中毒可引起卵巢组织的病变及颗粒细胞凋亡，且Bax在玉米赤霉烯酮中毒大鼠卵巢颗粒细胞凋亡中起着重要作用，Bcl-2的作用不明显。     

氯丙嗪对大鼠离体培养卵巢颗粒细胞凋亡的影响

本试验旨在通过氯丙嗪对颗粒细胞凋亡影响的研究,探讨氯丙嗪对雌性大鼠性腺毒性的作用机制。对未成熟的Wistar大鼠卵巢颗粒细胞进行原代培养,用不同浓度的氯丙嗪(0、0.1、1、10 μmol/L)染毒细胞,细胞培养24 h。染毒结束后采用MTT法检测细胞相对活力,荧光染料Hoechest 33258检测颗粒细胞的凋亡变化,RT-PCR检测凋亡调控基因Bax、Bcl-2和P53 mRNA的表达。在本试验所设置的剂量范围内,与对照组比较,氯丙嗪能极显著促进颗粒细胞凋亡(P＜0.01),呈浓度依赖关系;RT-PCR检测则显示氯丙嗪能引起Bcl-2、Bax、P53 mRNA表达水平和Bax mRNA/Bcl-2 mRNA值升高,除低剂量组的Bax mRNA表达水平和Bax mRNA/Bcl-2 mRNA值无明显改变外,其余各组与对照组相比均差异极显著(P＜0.01)。氯丙嗪可显著抑制大鼠卵巢颗粒细胞活力,诱导颗粒细胞凋亡。     

血小板凝血酶蛋白1对犬乳腺肿瘤细胞体外生物学特性的影响分析

本研究旨在深入探讨血小板凝血酶蛋白1(THBS1)对犬乳腺肿瘤细胞CHMp的影响,并阐明其影响犬乳腺肿瘤发生发展的作用机制。通过构建THBS1慢病毒稳定过表达和THBS1沉默表达的犬乳腺肿瘤细胞CHMp细胞系,采用CCK-8试验、划痕试验、Transwell试验、原位荧光检测和流式细胞术检测THBS1对CHMp细胞增殖、迁移、侵袭、细胞凋亡和细胞周期情况的影响;通过qRT-PCR和Western blot检测THBS1对CHMp细胞凋亡相关因子(p53、Bcl-2、Bax)表达情况的影响,验证THBS1对CHMp细胞凋亡通路的影响。结果显示,过表达THBS1能有效增强犬乳腺肿瘤细胞CHMp的增殖、迁移和侵袭能力,并且减少CHMp细胞的凋亡数量,而沉默THBS1后结果与之相反;流式细胞术得出THBS1能够影响CHMp细胞的细胞周期分布;经qRT-PCR和Western blot检测发现,在THBS1过表达后,p53和Bcl-2的表达量均明显增高,Bax的表达量明显减少,在沉默THBS1后结果与之相反。结果表明,THBS1的异常表达能够影响犬乳腺肿瘤细胞CHMp的增殖、迁移、侵袭以及细胞周期;此外,THBS1能够通过影响细胞凋亡因子p53、Bcl-2和Bax的表达来影响CHMp细胞凋亡相关通路,进而影响犬乳腺肿瘤的发生发展。     

Hypermetabolic priming of canine neutrophils by 7-S nerve growth factor

Canine circulating neutrophils, isolated by a blood lysing technique, were incubated with 7-S nerve growth factor (NGF), at final concentrations between 12.5 and 800 ng/ml, for 30 minutes at 37 C. Neutrophil cytosolic H2O2 production, measured by flow cytometry, after 7-S NGF incubation was not significantly different from that produced at 37 C (baseline temperature controls) alone. Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA; 100 ng/ml) stimulation of neutrophils produced cytosolic H2O2 concentrations almost 13 times that of baseline temperature control neutrophils. Preincubation of neutrophils with 7-S NGF (100 to 800 ng/ml, 30 minutes, 37 C) and subsequent stimulation by PMA resulted in augmented H2O2 production in excess of twice that of neutrophils treated with PMA alone, and almost 30 times that of baseline temperature controls.     

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays of canine apolipoproteins B-100 and A-I

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for canine blood apolipoprotein (apo) B-100 and A-I was developed. The working range for the assay was 1.8 to 28.7 ng/well for apoB-100 and it was 50 to 410 ng/well for apoA-I. The intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation for the assay for apoB-100 were 5.4 and 6.9%, respectively, and for apoA-I they were 5.8 and 10.6%, respectively. The average concentrations of apoB-100 and A-I in 25 beagles (males, aged 3-4 years) were 0.084 +/- 0.028 (mean +/- SD) mg/ ml and 6.29 +/- 1.55 mg/ml, respectively. The ratios of canine (C) apoB-100 to CapoA-I were 1.41 +/- 0.58%. The respective concentrations in one case of hyperlipidemia with systemic atherosclerosis were 0.454 mg/ml and 11.28 mg/ml (a ratio of 4.03%). These values were larger than those of the controls. These results suggest that the measurements of CapoB-100 and A-I concentrations by this newly developed ELISA are helpful for diagnosis of lipidosis.     

Evaluation of the role of endotoxin and cortisol on modulation of CD18 adhesion receptors in cows with mastitis caused by Escherichia coli.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of mastitis caused by Escherichia coli on expression of CD18 cell surface receptors and to evaluate the involvement and regulation of receptors by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cortisol. ANIMALS: 11 clinically normal lactating Holstein-Friesian cows. PROCEDURE: Binding of CD18 monoclonal antibodies to neutrophils was studied, using flow cytometry, before and after intramammary inoculation of E. coli organisms. Effect of LPS and cortisol on expression of adhesion receptors was investigated, using a whole-blood model. RESULTS: Expression of CD18 adhesion receptors on bovine neutrophils increased 35% by 12 hours after intramammary inoculation of E. coli. By 24 hours after inoculation, the number of receptors had returned to control values. High cortisol concentrations (100 nmol/L) were seen 12 to 18 hours after inoculation. Addition of LPS to blood induced a 30% increase in the number of CD18 receptors, and maximal number of receptors was expressed at an LPS concentration of 0.1 ng/ml. A decrease in the number of CD18 receptors was induced by incubation with cortisol or dexamethasone before challenge-exposure with LPS. CONCLUSIONS: An increase in the number of CD18 receptors on neutrophils is mediated by local production of LPS. Subsequent endogenous release of cortisol may prevent additional increases in the number of receptors. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: During acute mastitis caused by E. coli, there is an increase in the number of CD18 receptors on circulating neutrophils. Cortisol induces a decrease in the number of CD18 receptors, probably modulating the acute inflammatory response in mammary glands of lactating cows.     

Insulin-like growth factor-I concentration in Holstein female cattle: variations with age, stage of lactation and growth hormone-releasing factor administration

Plasma insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) concentrations were monitored in Holstein females through different periods of their growth, lactation and after acute or chronic growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) administration. Plasma samples were radioimmunoassayed using a human IGF-I antibody after a 24 hr incubation in a HCl(.1N)-glycine(.2M) buffer (pH 2). In a first study, IGF-I concentrations were measured in Holstein females of different ages and(or) stages of lactation (n = 6 per group). The IGF-I concentrations in newborn calves (102.0 +/- 11.3 ng/ml) markedly decreased (P less than .01) in 1 mo old animals (50.2 +/- 7.1 ng/ml), then increased (P less than .01) to 137.0 +/- 5.1 and 137.4 +/- 11.0 ng/ml in 6 and 10 mo old heifers, respectively. In dairy cows, IGF-I concentrations were low 24 hr post-partum (44.7 +/- 7.6 ng/ml) and then increased (P less than .05) to remain stable throughout lactation (91.3 +/- 4.9, 92.8 +/- 12.9, 96.1 +/- 7.6, 90.7 +/- 8.8 ng/ml at 2, 3, 6 and 9 mo of lactation, respectively). There was a further increase (P less than .05) to 113.7 +/- 3.1 ng/ml during the dry period. In a second trial, blood samples were collected from lactating dairy cows every 2 hr for 24 hr following a sc injection of saline (n = 4) or human (h) GRF (1-29)NH2 (10 micrograms/kg BW, n = 4). The IGF-I peak concentration was reached on average 10 hr after the GRF injection and was higher (P less than .01) in treated cows than in control cows (135.4 vs 86.9 +/- 16.2 ng/ml). In the last trial, daily sc injections of 10 micrograms of hGRF(1-29)NH2 per kg BW to dairy cows (252 days of lactation) for 57 days, which increased milk production by 14% (2 kg/day), also increased (P less than .01) IGF-I concentration: 127.1 +/- 5.3 and 118.0 +/- 1.6 vs 90.7 +/- 4.7 and 96.0 +/- 5.0 ng/ml on days 29 and 57 of treatment for treated (n = 9) and control (n = 8) cows, respectively. Thus, the IGF-I concentration in dairy cattle varies with age and stage of lactation, and is increased by GRF administration in lactating dairy cows.     

柔嫩艾美耳球虫感染对鸡血清凋亡蛋白的影响

为了研究柔嫩艾美耳球虫（Eimeria tenella）感染对鸡血清细胞凋亡相关蛋白的影响，探讨柔嫩艾美耳球虫与宿主相互作用，将240只体重接近的7日龄海兰灰公雏鸡分为4组：A组为不感染不诱导凋亡组；B组为不感染诱导凋亡组；C组为感染不诱导凋亡组；D组为感染诱导凋亡组。诱导凋亡的处理方法是采血前2.5 h按6.4 mL/kg体重灌服40%酒精诱导凋亡，不诱导凋亡的处理则同时灌服与40%酒精等体积的生理盐水替代。于柔嫩艾美耳球虫感染（每只鸡感染1×10⁵个柔嫩艾美耳球虫孢子化卵囊）后第24、48、72、96、120 h，每组抽取10只鸡心脏采血，制备血清，采用ELISA法检测血清中细胞色素C（Cyto-C）、半胱氨酸蛋白酶（Cas）-9、Cas-8、Cas-3、B细胞淋巴瘤/白血病（Bcl）-2、Bcl-2相关X蛋白（Bax）、Bcl-XL、BH3结构域凋亡诱导蛋白（Bid）的浓度。结果显示，感染后24、48、72、96 h D组Cyto-C、Cas-9、Cas-8、Cas-3的浓度均低于B组，感染120 h D组Cyto-C、Cas-9、Cas-8、Cas-3的浓度均显著高于B组（P<0.05），感染24、48、72、96 h D组Bcl-2/Bax和Bcl-XL/Bid值均高于B组，感染120 h D组的Bcl-2/Bax低于B组，Bcl-XL/Bid值高于B组。说明柔嫩艾美耳球虫感染早期通过Bcl-2/Bax值、Cyto-C、Cas-9、Cas-8、Cas-3浓度的增加来抑制宿主细胞凋亡，感染中晚期通过Bcl-2/Bax值、Cyto-C、Cas-9、Cas-8、Cas-3浓度的降低促进宿主细胞凋亡。     

Interleukin-10 inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced upregulation of tissue factor in canine peripheral blood monocytes

The potentially fatal hemostatic disorder of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is initiated in bacterial sepsis by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced tissue factor (TF) expression on monocytes. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a potent inhibitory cytokine that downregulates monocyte inflammatory and procoagulant responses. We hypothesized that canine recombinant IL-10 (rIL-10) would inhibit LPS-induced TF upregulation on canine monocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Canine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), obtained by double-density gradient centrifugation, and monocytes, purified from PBMC by immunomagnetic bead separation with an anti-canine CD14 antibody (Ab), were stimulated in suspension with LPS (0.1-1000ng/mL) for various times. Recombinant IL-10 (10-5000pg/mL) was added with LPS or up to 2h later. Tissue factor procoagulant activity was measured by cleavage of a chromogenic substrate by activated Factor X generated by the TF-factor VII complex. We found that rIL-10, when given concurrently or 1h after LPS, strongly inhibited LPS-induced TF procoagulant activity in canine PBMC and monocytes. This inhibition was dose-dependent and blocked by an anti-canine IL-10 Ab. Our results indicate that rIL-10 effectively inhibits LPS-induced TF upregulation in canine monocytes and could potentially be useful in limiting the development of DIC in dogs with endotoxemia.     

Secretion of angiogenic activity and progesterone by ovine luteal cell types in vitro

In the first experiment, minced luteal tissues from cyclic ewes (n = 5) were incubated for 6 h. Media conditioned by these luteal tissue explants stimulated proliferation and migration of endothelial cells. In a second experiment, corpora lutea (CL) from superovulated ewes (n = 12) were dissociated (two ewes/dispersion) and separated into three fractions: a non-elutriated fraction containing a mixed population of luteal cells, a fraction enriched with small steroidogenic luteal cells, and a fraction containing primarily large steroidogenic luteal cells. Fractions (2 X 10(5) viable steroidogenic luteal cells per milliliter of medium) were incubated with LH in doses of 0, .1, 1, 10, and 100 ng/ml for 7 d. Conditioned media were collected on d 1, 3, 5, and 7 of incubation. Across all days of incubation, media from small luteal cells stimulated proliferation of endothelial cells. Media from large luteal cell incubations, however, secreted an endothelial mitogen only on d 7 of culture. Mixed luteal cell cultures secreted mitogenic activity on d 3, 5, and 7 of incubation, but not on d 1. Luteinizing hormone did not influence release of mitogenic activity by any luteal cell fraction. Across all days of incubation, media from large luteal cells contained more progesterone than those from small luteal cells (528 +/- 137 vs 48 +/- 16 ng/ml with no LH). Mixed (non-elutriated) and small luteal cells increased progesterone secretion in response to LH, and this response was maintained during long-term culture. Large luteal cells did not increase progesterone secretion in response to LH. Steroidogenic activity of all cell types decreased as incubation time progressed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Expression and localisation of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins in developing rat ovary

Bcl-2 and Bax proteins localised mainly in granulosa cells. Primordial and primary follicles of new born rat ovary showed an intensive nuclear staining for Bax but faint staining for Bcl-2. In terms of staining intensity, no remarkable difference was observed within the same stage of developing follicle. Compared to new born rats, granulosa cells of adult and one month old rat ovary showed an increased staining both for Bcl-2 and Bax proteins. No staining was observed in primordial follicles of one month old and adult rats. However, granulosa cells of primary follicles, granulosa cells and theca cells in tertiary follicles of adult rat ovary also showed a strong staining for Bcl-2 and Bax proteins. Oocytes of follicles from different developmental stages revealed an apparent staining both for Bcl-2 and Bax proteins. However, in the more mature follicles oocytes stained more intensively. In developing corpus luteum a remarkable staining was observed for Bax. However, the staining was more prominent in regressing corpus luteum. Contrary to this, Bcl-2 stained the luteal cells in developing corpus luteum strongly, while in the fully developed corpus luteum no staining for Bcl-2 was observed. In conclusion, there was an apparent relation between the expression of the apoptosis regulating protein Bcl-2 and Bax and follicular development. Thus, during the follicular development Bcl-2 and Bax may be involved in granulosa cell demise in rat ovary. Furthermore, increased levels of Bax and decreased levels of Bcl-2 in the fully developed corpus luteum suggest that Bax plays a role in apoptosis of luteal cells in rat ovary.     

Retinoic acid induces apoptosis in activated canine neutrophils

Activated neutrophils live longer, produce toxic metabolites and cause considerable tissue injury, which is central to the pathogenesis of many inflammatory conditions. Retinoids are a class of lipophilic compounds with anti-inflammatory effects. We examined the effect of retinoic acid on apoptosis in normal and activated neutrophils. Our results showed that treatment with 1 μg/ml Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 12 and 36 h delayed the spontaneous neutrophil apoptosis compared to untreated cells. But exposure of LPS-treated cells to retinoic acid (1 and 5 μM) abolished the inhibitory effects of LPS on neutrophil apoptosis in a concentration-dependant manner based on annexin V staining, Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, light and electron microscopy. These results show that retinoic acid increases apoptosis in activated canine neutrophils and this effect could enhance the resolution of inflammation in vivo.     

Optimization of conditions for in vitro production of radical oxygen species and expression of tissue factor by canine mononuclear cells and granulocytes for use in high-throughput assays

The purpose of this study was to optimize conditions for high throughput measurement of radical oxygen species (ROS) production and expression of tissue factor, also termed procoagulant activity, by canine leukocytes. Granulocytes and mononuclear cells were separated by density gradient centrifugation from peripheral blood collected on several occasions from three healthy large breed dogs. To determine optimal conditions for ROS production, granulocytes were incubated for 1 or 3h in PBG (PBS containing 0.5% BSA and 5mM glucose) or RPMI containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS); lipopolysaccharide (LPS), zymosan, peptidoglycan (PGN) and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) were used as stimuli. ROS was assessed by conversion of the nonfluorescent dye dihydrorhodamine 123 to fluorescent rhodamine 123 by radical species released into the media. To identify optimal conditions for expression of tissue factor, mononuclear cells were incubated for 5h in RPMI containing different concentrations of heat-inactivated FBS (HI-FBS), and LPS, zymosan, PGN or PMA as stimuli. Expression of tissue factor was determined using a one-stage recalcification assay performed in an automated nephelometric coagulation analyzer. Neither LPS nor zymosan increased ROS production by granulocytes incubated in PBG media. In contrast, granulocytes incubated in RPMI had dose-dependent increases in ROS production in response to zymosan and PGN. ROS production was significantly increased by incubation with concentrations of LPS of 0.01microg/ml or greater, and by zymosan concentrations of 0.1microg/ml or greater. ROS production in response to incubation with PMA was significantly increased starting at 10(-7)M, and was significantly greater for cells incubated in RPMI than cells incubated in PBG. LPS-, zymosan- and PGN-stimulated procoagulant activity increased in a dose-dependent manner, whereas PMA-stimulated procoagulant activity peaked at 10(-7)M. Increasing concentrations of HI-FBS significantly increased LPS-, zymosan- and PGN-induced procoagulant activity of mononuclear cells. Results obtained in this study indicate production of ROS by canine granulocytes is optimal when these cells are incubated for 3h in RPMI with LPS (0.1microg/ml), zymosan (10 microg/ml), PGN (10 microg/ml), and PMA (10(-7)M). Furthermore, canine mononuclear cells express procoagulant activity in response to LPS, zymosan, PGN, and PMA, and responses to LPS, zymosan and PGN are enhanced by the addition of HI-FBS. These findings suggest that HI-FBS retains important serum proteins that facilitate interactions between each of these bacterial or yeast derived products and the mononuclear cells. Consequently, future studies regarding the regulation of procoagulant activity by canine mononuclear cells should be performed in the presence of HI-FBS. Both assays utilized in this study allow high throughput of samples, and therefore are appropriate choices for rapid screening of conditions and/or therapeutic interventions affecting the canine inflammatory system.     

Expression dynamics of Toll-like receptors mRNA and cytokines in porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated by bacterial lipopolysaccharide

The Toll-like receptor (TLR)4 is critical for the recognition of Gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) but in porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) it may cooperate with other TLRs and lead to the production of inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, we analyzed TLR1-10 mRNA expression in porcine PBMCs stimulated with LPS over time (1-48 h) by using quantitative real-time PCR and cytokine proteins level by ELISA in culture supernatant. TLR1-10 mRNA was detectable in porcine PBMCs. When compared with the control (non-stimulated), TLR1 mRNA were increased (p<0.05) at 3 h after challenge with 1 μg/ml LPS, whereas TLR1 and TLR2 mRNA were increased (p<0.01) at 6 h after challenge with 10 μg/ml LPS. TLR4 increased (p<0.001) at 3h after challenge with LPS and remained constant. TLR5 and TLR6 mRNA increased (p<0.05) at 9 h and 1 h after of LPS stimulation, respectively. The mRNA of CD14 and MD2 were increased (p<0.001) at 1h after LPS stimulation. Additionally, at most of the time analyzed, the mRNA expression increased with the dose of LPS. The LPS concentration had influence (p<0.05) on all the TLRs expression except TLR10; whereas time had effect (p<0.05) on all TLRs expression except TLR2, 3, 6 and 10. When compared to the control, the cytokines IL1b, IL8 and TNFα proteins were increased (p<0.001) immediately at 1 h after LPS stimulation and remained constant till 48 h. IL12b was increased (p<0.001) 12 h after challenge with 10 μg/ml of LPS. Although IL8 level was the highest, the higher (p<0.05) expression of all these inflammatory cytokines indicate that upon interacting with TLRs, LPS exerted inflammatory response in PBMCs through the production of Th1 type cytokines. The production of cytokines was influenced (p<0.001) by both the dose of LPS and the stimulation time. Hence, the porcine PBMCs are likely able to express all members of TLRs.