Cytokine and antibody subclass responses in the intestinal lymph of sheep during repeated experimental infections with the nematode parasite Trichostrongylus colubriformis

The expression of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma genes, and parasite-specific IgM, IgG1, IgG2, IgA and total IgE levels, were monitored daily in intestinal lymph of sheep infected repeatedly with the nematode parasite Trichostrongylus colubriformis. Host genotype had a significant influence on IL-13 gene activity, with resistant-line (R) sheep consistently expressing higher levels of mRNA than susceptible-line (S) sheep. Mean gene expression of IL-13, IL-4 and IFN-gamma did not differ significantly between the first and second nematode challenge. Field-primed R and S as well as field-primed R and na?ve S sheep had lower mean gene expression of IL-5 and IL-10, respectively, during the second when compared to primary challenge. Genes for IL-13 and IL-5 were transiently and strongly up-regulated after nematode infection, particularly in animals with previous exposure to nematodes. Genes for TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma were also transiently up-regulated, but to a lesser extent and more typically after primary challenge. Na?ve sheep of both genotypes produced relatively little antibody response after primary challenge. A second nematode challenge resulted in large increases in the lymphatic levels of all antibody sub-classes which were significant for adult antigen-specific IgA and larval antigen-specific IgG1. In na?ve S line sheep, the larval-specific IgA and IgG2 response appeared delayed when compared to the R line animals. Field-primed R and S line sheep had relatively high lymphatic IgG1 levels prior to experimental infection and these did not change significantly afterwards. These results demonstrate that during nematode infections, the intestinal micro-environment of sheep is transiently skewed towards Th2 cytokine dominance, although IFN-gamma gene expression continues. This response is accompanied by increases of nematode-specific IgG1, IgA, IgG2 and IgM, as well as of total IgE in lymph plasma.     

慢性寒冷应激对绵羊体增重、血清免疫和抗氧化机能的影响

本试验旨在探究慢性寒冷应激对绵羊体增重、血清免疫和抗氧化机能的影响.选取体重为(55.50±0.80)kg、毛丛长度为(11.60±1.47)cm的3岁杜蒙杂交母羊18只,随机分为3组:舍内加热组(对照组)、舍内组和舍外组,每组6只.试验共28 d,每天记录各组试验羊的采食量,并于试验第1、14和28天称重,计算平均日...     

Interferon-gamma and interleukin-2 release by lymphocytes derived from the blood, mesenteric lymph nodes and intestines of normal sheep and those affected with paratuberculosis (Johne's disease).

This study sought to determine if T-cell cytokine responses to mycobacterial infections in sheep were similar to those in other species and if such responses correlated with prevailing gut pathology. Lymphocytes were isolated from the blood (PBL), mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) and ileal lamina propria (LPL) of control sheep and of sheep with clinical Johne's disease due to infection with Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (M.a. paratuberculosis). These animals had previously been categorised into two groups exhibiting either the 'tuberculoid' (paucibacillary) form of lesion or the 'lepromatous' (multibacillary) form. Lymphocytes were examined for their capacity, following stimulation with johnin-PPD, to release interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin 2 (IL-2) characteristic of the Th1 subset of MHC Class II-restricted CD4+ (helper) T-cells in other species. The expression of the two cytokines appeared related to the type of histological lesion observed. Antigen-stimulated lymphocytes from the tuberculoid group exhibited greater release of IFN-gamma and IL-2 than lymphocytes from the lepromatous group suggesting a Th1-type of response in the former in which expression of IFN-gamma by PBL showed a significant positive correlation with that expressed by MLN and LPL. Lymphocytes from animals with lepromatous lesions released lesser mycobacterium-induced IFN-gamma and IL-2 indicating a diminished role for a Th1 subset in this group of sheep. Differences in cytokine expression were much more apparent with lymphocytes which were derived from MLN.     

Differential expression of inflammatory and immune response genes in sheep infected with Anaplasma phagocytophilum

Anaplasma phagocytophilum infects a wide variety of host species and causes the diseases tick-borne fever (TBF) in ruminants and granulocytic anaplasmosis in humans, horses and dogs. TBF in sheep has become one of the more prevalent tick-borne diseases in some regions of Europe. A. phagocytophilum infection modifies host gene expression and immune response. The objective of this research was to characterize differential gene expression in sheep experimentally and naturally infected with A. phagocytophilum by microarray hybridization and real-time RT-PCR. The results of these studies demonstrated in sheep the activation of inflammatory and innate immune pathways and the impairment of adaptive immunity during A. phagocytophilum infection. The characterization of the genes and their expression profiles in sheep in response to A. phagocytophilum infection advances our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of pathogen infection and the pathogenesis of TBF. Collectively, these results expand current information on the mammalian host response to A. phagocytophilum infection.     

Evaluation of antioxidant status and oxidative stress in sheep naturally infected with Babesia ovis

The present study aimed to assess antioxidant status and oxidative stress in sheep naturally infected with Babesia ovis. Red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, packed cell volume (PCV), piroplasm parasitemia percentage, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT) activities and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were determined in 52 sheep naturally infected with B. ovis as well as same number of healthy sheep in West-Azerbaijan province, Iran. Microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained peripheral blood smears revealed B. ovis infection. The parasitological diagnosis was confirmed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis by amplifying a partial small subunit ribosomal RNA (ssu rRNA) gene sequence of B. ovis of 52 diseased sheep, 18 (34.61%), 11 (21.15%), 16 (30.76%) and 7 (13.48%) had <1%, 1-2%, 2-3% and >3% parasitemia, respectively. Compared to controls, the activities of erythrocyte GSH-Px, SOD, TAC and CAT showed a significant decrease, whereas the concentration of MDA in erythrocytes of infected sheep increased significantly. Parasitemia rate was positively correlated with MDA and negatively correlated with PCV, SOD, CAT, GSH-Px and TAC. Also, MDA was negatively correlated with PCV, SOD, catalase, GSH-Px and TAC. The study demonstrated that B. ovis plays an important role in the occurrence of oxidative damage to RBCs and anemia in ovine babesiosis.     

A differential interplay between the expression of Th1/Th2/Treg related cytokine genes in Teladorsagia circumcincta infected DRB1*1101 carrier lambs

ABSTRACT: Substantial debate exists on whether the immune response between sheep resistant and susceptible to gastrointestinal nematodes can be differentiated into a Th1 and Th2 phenotype. The present study addresses the hypothesis that variation in resistance to Teladorsagia circumcincta between DRB1*1101 (associated with reduced faecal egg count and worm burden) carriers and non-carriers is due to a differential interplay in the expression of Th1/Th2 and regulatory T (Treg) related cytokine genes. Lambs from each genotype were either slaughtered at day 0 (un-infected control) or infected with 3 × 104 Teladorsagia circumcincta L3 and slaughtered at 3, 7, 21, and 35 days later. Lambs carrying the DRB1*1101 allele had a significantly lower worm burden (P < 0.05) compared to the non-carriers. Abomasal mucosal cytokine gene expression was evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR and comparison made for time and genotype effects. The response generated varied through the course of infection and was affected by genotype. DRB1*1101 carriers had an up-regulated expression of the Th1-related cytokine genes (IL-1β, TNFα, and IFN-γ) at day 3, but this was replaced by an up-regulated expression of Th2-related cytokine genes (IL-10 and IL-13) and Treg-related cytokine genes (IL-2RA-CD25, TGFα, TGFβ, Arg2, MIF and FOXP3) by day 7. Conversely, in the non-carriers these changes in gene expression were delayed until days 7 and 21 post infection (pi), respectively. It is concluded that resistance to Teladorsagia circumcincta in animals carrying the DRB1*1101 allele is influenced by an earlier interplay between Th1, Th2 and T regulatory immune response genes.     

基于RNA-Seq数据分析葡萄糖诱导绵羊卵泡颗粒细胞衰老的差异表达基因

【目的】 探讨葡萄糖对绵羊卵泡颗粒细胞衰老及其基因表达的影响。【方法】 将原代分离培养的绵羊卵泡颗粒细胞分别用含17.5(H组)和2 mmol/L(L组)葡萄糖的培养基进行体外培养, 细胞处理72 h后, 利用β-半乳糖苷酶染色检测细胞衰老, 采用RNA-Seq技术进行转录组测序, 对差异表达基因进行GO功能富集分析和KEGG通路富集分析, 并用实时荧光定量PCR验证锚定蛋白重复域蛋白1(ANKRD1)、白细胞介素8(IL-8)、催产素(OXT)、烟酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸磷酸氧化酶4(NOX4)基因的表达量。【结果】 H组β-半乳糖苷酶染色阳性细胞率极显著高于L组(P<0.01)。转录组测序结果显示, 两组间存在401个差异表达基因, 其中上调基因153个, 下调基因248个, 高糖诱导的细胞异常相关基因9个, 细胞周期相关基因6个。GO功能富集分析发现, 差异表达基因参与了细胞过程、生物调节、代谢过程、多细胞生物过程及细胞运动等生物过程, 在细胞成分上主要富集在胞外区、膜、突触、细胞器及超分子复合体等, 在分子功能主要富集在催化活性、整合、转运活性、分子功能调节剂及结构分子活性等。KEGG信号通路富集分析发现, 差异表达基因主要富集在糖尿病并发症中的晚期糖基化产物(AGE)-晚期糖基化终末产物受体(RAGE)信号通路、肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)信号通路、过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体(PPAR)信号通路等。实时荧光定量PCR结果表明, 与L组相比, H组IL-8基因表达水平极显著上调(P<0.01), ANKRD1基因表达水平显著上调(P<0.05), OXT基因表达水平极显著下调(P<0.01), NOX4基因表达量呈上升趋势, 但差异不显著(P>0.05), 实时荧光定量PCR结果与转录组测序结果一致。【结论】 17.5 mmol/L葡萄糖可诱导绵羊卵泡颗粒细胞衰老及衰老相关基因表达变化, 为葡萄糖诱导颗粒细胞衰老的功能和分子机制提供了依据。     

Effects of dietary leucine on antioxidant activity and expression of antioxidant and mitochondrial‐related genes in longissimus dorsi muscle and liver of piglets

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary leucine on antioxidant activity and expression of antioxidant‐ and mitochondrial‐related genes in longissimus dorsi muscle and liver of piglets. Three diets were formulated with different levels of supplemented leucine (0%, 0.25%, 0.5%). Results showed that supplementation of 0.25% leucine significantly increased antisuperoxide anion (ASA) and antihydroxyl radical (AHR) levels and activities of total superoxide dismutade (T‐SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S‐transferase (GST), and total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC) in serum, longissimus dorsi muscle and liver of piglets as compared with the control group. The SOD2, catalase (CAT), GPx, GST, glutathione reductase (GR), and nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) mRNA levels in longissimus dorsi muscle and liver were significantly increased by 0.25% leucine supplementation. However, the malondialdehyde (MDA) content and the mRNA level of Kelch‐like ECH‐associated protein 1 (Keap1) exhibited an opposite tendency. Additionally, supplementation of 0.25% leucine significantly increased the mRNA levels of mitochondrial‐related genes in longissimus dorsi muscle and liver of piglets. Results suggested that supplementation of 0.25% leucine improved antioxidant activity and mitochondrial biogenesis and function of piglets, which was related to the increase in antioxidant enzymes activities and upregulation of expression of antioxidant‐ and mitochondrial‐related genes.     

发酵麸皮多糖对肉羊肉品质、肌肉氨基酸组成及肌肉抗氧化酶和肌纤维类型相关基因表达的影响

试验旨在研究发酵麸皮多糖(FWBP)对肉羊肉品质、肌肉氨基酸组成及肌肉抗氧化酶和肌纤维类型相关基因表达的影响。选用50只体重为(20.17±3.33)kg的6周龄杜泊×小尾寒羊F1代杂交羔羊,随机分为5组,每组10只。对照组(Ⅰ组)饲喂基础饲粮,试验组(Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ组)分别饲喂在基础饲粮中添加50、100、200、400 mg/kg FWBP的试验饲粮,预试期14 d,正试期56 d。结果表明:1)Ⅱ和Ⅲ组肉羊背最长肌剪切力显著低于Ⅰ组(P<0.05)。2)Ⅱ、Ⅲ和Ⅳ组肉羊背最长肌中蛋氨酸(Met)含量显著高于Ⅰ组(P<0.05);Ⅳ组肉羊背最长肌中的半胱氨酸(Cys)含量显著高于Ⅰ组(P<0.05),而谷氨酸(Glu)和亮氨酸(Leu)含量显著低于Ⅰ组(P<0.05);Ⅴ组肉羊背最长肌中丝氨酸(Ser)含量显著高于Ⅰ组(P<0.05),而缬氨酸(Val)含量显著低于Ⅰ组(P<0.05)。3)各试验组肉羊背最长肌中过氧化氢酶(CAT)的mRNA相对表达量显著高于Ⅰ组(P<0.05),且Ⅲ组肉羊背最长肌中CAT的mRNA相对表达量显著高于Ⅱ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ组(P<0.05)。Ⅲ组肉羊背最长肌中谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH⁃Px)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的mRNA相对表达量显著高于Ⅰ组(P<0.05)。4)Ⅲ组肉羊背最长肌中肌球蛋白重链(MyHC)Ⅰ和MyHCⅡa的mRNA相对表达量显著高于Ⅰ组(P<0.05),且MyHCⅡx的mRNA相对表达量显著低于Ⅰ组(P<0.05)。Ⅲ、Ⅳ和Ⅴ组肉羊背最长肌中MyHCⅡb的mRNA相对表达量显著高于Ⅰ组(P<0.05)。综上所述,饲粮中添加FWBP可以降低肉羊背最长肌剪切力,改善其氨基酸组成,提高肌肉抗氧化能力,诱导Ⅱx型肌纤维向Ⅰ和Ⅱa型肌纤维的转化,且以添加100 mg/kg效果较佳。     

脂多糖刺激后不同时间断奶仔猪空肠上皮细胞铁死亡的变化规律

本试验旨在探究用脂多糖(LPS)刺激后不同时间断奶仔猪空肠上皮细胞发生铁死亡的变化规律。选取体重和遗传基础相近的21日龄杜×长×大断奶仔猪42头,饲喂基础饲粮14 d后,空腹注射LPS,按100μg/kg BW注射LPS后不同时间随机分为7个处理,分别于0、1、2、4、8、12、24 h屠宰取样,测定空肠上皮细胞铁死亡相关基因mRNA表达量以及抗氧化水平。结果表明:在LPS刺激后8 h,空肠上皮细胞铁死亡关键基因膜蛋白转铁蛋白受体1(TFR1)、热休克蛋白B1(HSPB1)、铁反应元件结合蛋白2(IREB2)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶4(GPX4)的mRNA表达量最高(P<0.05);在LPS刺激后2 h,胱氨酸/谷氨酸反向转运体亚基(SLC7A11)的mRNA表达量最高(P<0.05);在LPS刺激后8、12、24 h,空肠上皮细胞总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性均显著降低(P<0.05);在LPS刺激后8 h,谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量最低(P<0.05)。由此可见,在LPS刺激后8 h,断奶仔猪空肠上皮细胞铁死亡发生程度最为严重。     

Subversion and piracy: DNA viruses and immune evasion

During the co-evolution of viruses with their vertebrate hosts, the DNA viruses have acquired an impressive array of immunomodulatory genes to combat host immune responses and their hosts have developed a sophisticated immune system to contain virus infections. In order to replicate, the viruses have evolved mechanisms to inhibit key host anti-virus responses that include apoptosis, interferon production, chemokine production, inflammatory cytokine production, and the activity of cytotoxic T-cells, natural killer cells and antibody. In addition, some of the viruses encode cytokine or chemokine homologues that recruit or expand cell numbers for infection or that subvert the host cellular response from a protective response to a benign one. The specificity of the viral immunomodulatory molecules reflects the life cycle and the pathogenesis of the viruses. Herpesviruses achieve latency in host cells by inducing cell survival and protecting infected cells from immune recognition. This involves interference with cell signal transduction pathways. Many of the viral immunomodulatory proteins are homologues of host proteins that appear to have been pirated from the host and reassorted in the virus genomes. Some of these have unique functions and indicate novel or important aspects of both viral pathogenesis and host immunity to viruses. The specific example of orf virus infection of sheep is described.     

小肽对大黄鱼仔鱼生长和小肠发育的影响及其在低温胁迫下的抗氧化应激效应

本试验分为生长试验和低温胁迫试验2部分.先分别投喂大黄鱼(Larimichthys cro-cea)仔鱼经不同浓度(0、0.5、1.0、2.0和3.0 mL/m3)小肽营养强化后的轮虫和卤虫12 d,以探讨小肽对大黄鱼仔鱼生长和小肠发育的影响;再将大黄鱼仔鱼暴露在温度为12℃的水体中24 h,以探讨小肽对低温胁迫下大黄...     

初生和成年黑藏羊肉品质与肌纤维特性差异分析

旨在比较放牧条件下不同年龄间黑藏羊肉品质与肌纤维组织学特性的差异.本研究选择青海自然放牧条件下体况良好的初生黑藏羊(平均体重(2.31±0.49)kg)和12月龄黑藏羊(平均体重(36.58±1.26)kg)各5只,依据年龄分为2组,即羔羊组(lamb)和成年羊组(adult).通过三磷酸腺苷酶(ATPase)染色、酶...     

Circulating oxidative stress status in desert sheep naturally infected with Fasciola hepatica

Oxidative stress is a general mechanism whereby free radicals induce oxidative damages and reduce the antioxidant defences of the biological systems. The aim of the present study was to determine plasma malondialdehyde levels as a biomarker of lipid peroxidation and its relation to the antioxidants status (plasma ascorbate and blood glutathione concentrations), liver function tests and anaemia in spontaneous ovine fascioliasis. For this purpose, jugular blood samples and livers of 27 infected ewes with Fasciola hepatica along with blood samples of 20 healthy (control) ewes were collected from animals slaughtered in a F. hepatica endemic area (Kharga oasis, Egypt). An increase (P<0.001) in plasma malondialdehyde (141.1%) accompanied by decreased levels (P<0.001) of albumin (29.3%) and ascorbate (36.2%) in plasma and glutathione in blood (31.6%) of infected sheep was noticed when compared with control values. In the infected group, malondialdehyde values were positively correlated with liver fluke burden (r=0.57, P=0.002) and the activity of plasma aspartate aminotransferase (r=0.39, P=0.0.046) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (r=0.64, P=0.0003) and negatively correlated with the concentrations of albumin (r=-0.53, P=0.004), ascorbate (r=-0.46, P=0.0.17) and glutathione (r=-0.41, P=0.034). In conclusion, oxidative stress is a significant feature of chronic F. hepatica infection in grazing sheep.     

Influence of selenium status in merino weaners on resistance to trichostrongylid infection

Weaned merino lambs, grazing pastures low in selenium, were used to investigate the effect of selenium status on immunity to trichostrongylids. Six weeks following selenium supplementation to 14 of the 27 sheep using intraruminal selenium pellets, 5000 Ostertagia circumcincta and 5000 Trichostrongylus colubriformis larvae were administered orally to all sheep. At four weeks after infection, the mean total worm burden in the selenium supplemented sheep (5537 +/- 343, n = 14) was not significantly different (P greater than 0.05) from that in the unsupplemented sheep (5614 +/- 374, n = 12) and faecal worm egg concentrations were also similar in the two treatment groups. At this time, mean red cell glutathione peroxidase activities in the supplemented and unsupplemented groups were 430 and 11 U g-1 haemoglobin, respectively, and clinical white muscle disease had been observed in the latter group. These results suggest that increasing selenium status of selenium deficient sheep by the use of intraruminal selenium supplementation, has a negligible effect on resistance to an artificial challenge infection of O circumcincta and T colubriformis.     

Gene expression in rabbit appendices infected with Eimeria coecicola

Eimeria coecicola causes intestinal coccidiosis in rabbits and, thereby, enormous economic losses in rabbit farms. Here, we investigate the final target site of E. coecicola, the appendix of rabbits, at the level of gene expression. Rabbits, orally infected with E. coecicola, begin to shed parasitic oocysts with their feces on day 5 p.i., and approximately 1.1 million oocysts are maximally shedded on day 7 p.i. At maximal shedding, the appendix has increased in size by about 2-3-folds and reveals increased hemorrhage which is associated with increases in nitrite/nitrate, malondialdehyde and catalase activity and a decrease in glutathione. Agilent 2-color oligo whole rabbit genome microarray, in combination with quantitative real-time PCR, detects 45 and 36 genes whose expression is more than 2-fold up- and down-regulated, respectively, by E. coecicola infection on day 7 p.i. The most dramatic increase by approximately 50-fold reveals the mRNA of the pro- and anti-inflammatory pleiotropic cytokine interleukin 6 (IL-6), whereas the largest decrease by approximately 13-fold is detected for mRNAs encoding for DBP, SULT3A1, CRP and glutathione-S transferase. Also, there are up- and down-regulations in the expression of genes encoding diverse regions of antibodies. Our data suggest that IL-6 plays a central role in the infection of the appendix of rabbits by E. coecicola, presumably involved in both pathological injuries, host defences and healing processes.