In vitro cytotoxicity of serum and peripheral blood leukocytes for equine herpesvirus type 1-infected target cells.

The immune response in horses following experimental infection with equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) was assessed by measuring cytotoxicity for EHV-1-infected target cells. A technique was developed, using [125I]5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine ([125I]IUDR)-labeled equine fetal kidney cells infected with EHV-1 as the target cells. It was shown that peripheral blood leukocytes from a recovered horse were capable of lysing target cells, as measured by the loss of radio-active label. Following the experimental infection of specific-pathogen-free ponies with EHV-1, cytotoxicity was obtained with fresh autologous serum, peripheral blood leukocytes in autologous serum, and washed peripheral blood leukocytes. Cytotoxicity of the serum and peripheral blood leukocytes was detected as early as one day after infection. It is suggested that cytotoxic antibodies or cells could play an important part in restricting virus spread after infection of the horse with EHV-1.     

Induction of lymphokine-activated killer cells of equine origin: specificity for equine target cells.

The in vitro stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with interleukin 2 (IL-2) results in the development of potent cytotoxic effector cells, referred to as lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells. LAK cells are capable of lysing a wide variety of autologous, allogeneic and xenogeneic tumor cells. The exact mechanism of target cell recognition by LAK cells remains unknown. LAK cell activity has been reported for a variety of domesticated species except the horse. We report here that IL-2-stimulated equine PBMC, which fail to lyse either human or murine tumor cell lines, exhibit potent cytolytic activity against an equine tumor cell line, EqT8888. Cytolytic activity against the EqT8888 cells required 3 days of incubation with IL-2, was mediated primarily by T-cells, and was not restricted by major histocompatibility complex antigens. Though LAK activity could only be demonstrated using equine-derived target cells, xenogeneic targets could be lysed in a lectin-mediated cytotoxicity assay. The xenogeneic targets also failed to block LAK cell-killing of the EqT8888 cells in a cold-target competition assay. These results indicate that LAK cells in the horse appear to utilize a species-specific recognition mechanism during target cell lysis.     

马流感病毒A/Equine/Huabei/01/07(H3N8)对灵缇犬的实验性感染

为了解灵缇犬对马流感病毒A/Equine/Huabei/01/2007(H3N8)的易感性,将马流感病毒培养液以1.0 mL(含105.7EID50)经静脉途径接种4条灵缇犬,另以2.0 mL(含2×105.7EID50)经滴鼻、点眼方式接种3条灵缇犬。采用临床症状和病理学观察、免疫酶组织化学染色技术、病毒分离、HI抗体检测和流感病毒受体类型检测技术,对病毒在灵缇犬体内的感染情况进行了系统研究。结果表明,感染的7条犬在整个试验观察期间体温等临床指标均无异常变化,未见明显的肉眼和组织学病变。感染后5 d,4条感染犬的气管、支气管和细支气管上皮细胞内流感病毒M蛋白均为阳性,1条犬的咽拭子病毒分离结果为阳性,1条犬的马流感病毒H3亚型HI抗体阳性。感染后14d,剩余3条感染犬中有2条犬马流感病毒H3亚型HI抗体呈阳性。试验证明,目前流行的A/Equine/Huabei/01/2007(H3N8)病毒可以感染灵缇犬,但不导致灵缇犬出现明显的临床症状。灵缇犬的喉头、气管上皮细胞具有与马流感病毒结合的SAα2,3 Gal受体。     

Mobilization and activation of nonspecific cytotoxic cells (NCC) in the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) infected with Ichthyophthirius multifiliis

Channel catfish demonstrate a shift in the tissue distribution of nonspecific cytotoxic cells (NCC) when infected with the protozoan parasite, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis. NCC, isolated from head kidney (HK) tissues (hemopoietic organ) or peripheral blood leukocytes, were assessed for cytotoxic activity against NC-37 (a transformed mammalian cell line). NCC activity from HK tissue of moribund I. multifiliis-infected fish was depressed compared to HK-NCC activity in uninfected or I. multifillis-immune fish. The activity of NCC, isolated from the peripheral blood of moribund I. multifiliis-infected fish was significantly greater than the NCC activity in peripheral blood from either immune or uninfected fish. Chromium-51 release assays were combined with effector and target conjugate assays to determine killing capacity (Vmax) and affinity (Km) for target cells of peripheral blood NCC from moribund I. multifiliis-infected and uninfected fish. These experiments indicated that the peripheral blood from the moribund infected fish contained an increased percentage of active NCC with increased killing capacity and target cell affinity compared to peripheral blood NCC activity of uninfected fish.     

Detection of antibodies to the nonstructural protein (NS1) of influenza A virus allows distinction between vaccinated and infected horses.

Antibodies to the nonstructural protein (NS1) of A/equine/Miami/1/63 (H3N8) influenza virus were detected exclusively in the sera of mice experimentally infected with A/Aichi/2/68 (H3N2) and horses infected with A/equine/Kentucky/1/81 (H3N8) or A/equine/La Plata/1/93 (H3N8), but not in those of the animals immunized with the inactivated viruses, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a recombinant NS1 as antigen. The results indicate that the present method is useful for serological diagnosis to distinguish horses infected with equine H3 influenza viruses from those immunized with the inactivated vaccine.     

Bovine natural cell mediated cytotoxicity (NCMC): activation by cytokines

Incubation of bovine peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes (PBML) with the cytokines (CK) IL-2, alpha-IFN, gamma-IFN or IL-4 resulted in significant increases in natural cell mediated cytotoxicity (NCMC) over endogenous levels, as determined in an 18 h 51Cr-release assay using the human K562 or mouse Yac-1 target cell lines. Endogenous cytotoxic activity of bovine natural effector cells (NEC) using K562 or Yac-1 target cells was minimal (killing less than 8%). After 18 h of incubation with the CK hurIL-2, alpha-bovrIFN, gamma-bovrIFN or hurIL-4, NEC had significant increases in cytotoxic activity for both K562 and Yac-1 target cells. Significant increases in cytotoxic activity were not found after incubation of NEC with IL-1 or beta-IFN. Specific killing varied with CK concentration in a dose dependent manner and was proportional to effector:target cell ratio. Activation of the bovine NEC by CK was rapid, occurring within 6-12 h of incubation with alpha-IFN or gamma-IFN and within 12-18 h of incubation with IL-2. Incubation of bovine PBML with IL-2 and alpha- or gamma-IFN or with alpha-IFN and gamma-IFN showed that these CK do not act in a synergistic manner to increase NCMC in the bovine NEC.     

白细胞介素-10对口蹄疫病毒感染小鼠T细胞增殖及其表达TNF-α、IFN-γ和IL-2的影响

白细胞介素-10(IL-10)增高是口蹄疫病毒(FMDV)感染过程中显著特征之一。本研究旨在探讨IL-10对FMDV感染小鼠外周血T细胞增殖及其表达效应功能相关细胞因子的影响。采用CCK-8和流式细胞术分别检测小鼠外周血T细胞增殖和T细胞表达效应功能相关细胞因子(TNF-α、IFN-γ和IL-2)。结果显示,与对照小鼠相比,FMDV感染小鼠(感染12、24、36和48 h)外周血T细胞对刀豆蛋白A刺激的增殖均显著下降(P<0.05或P<0.01);FMDV感染小鼠的外周血CD4⁺T细胞表达TNF-α和IL-2均显著下降(均P<0.01),CD8⁺T细胞表达TNF-α、IFN-γ和IL-2也显著下降(P<0.01或P<0.000 1)。体内阻断IL-10/IL-10R信号或者敲除IL-10均能显著恢复FMDV感染小鼠外周血T细胞的增殖(P<0.05或P<0.01),但不影响CD4⁺和CD8⁺T细胞表达TNF-α、IFN-γ和IL-2。本研究首次揭示FMDV能抑...     

Effect of influenza A/equine/H3N8 virus isolate variation on the measurement of equine antibody responses.

This study has tested the effect of using homologous or heterologous equine influenza A virus isolates to evaluate serum antibody levels to influenza A virus in vaccinated and naturally-infected horses. In addition, the potential effect of antigenic selection of virus variants in egg versus tissue culture propagation systems was studied. Serum antibody levels in samples from horses recently infected with a local influenza A virus isolate (A/equine 2/Saskatoon/1/90) or recently vaccinated with a prototype isolate (A/equine 2/Miami/1/63) were assessed by hemagglutination inhibition and by single radial hemolysis using cell or egg-propagated A/equine 2/Saskatoon/1/90, A/equine 2/Miami/1/63 or A/equine 2/Fontainebleau/1/79. There were no significant differences in hemagglutination inhibition or single radial hemolysis antibody levels obtained with homologous or heterologous isolates or between viruses propagated in either eggs or cell culture. However there was a trend to higher titers in the hemagglutination inhibition assay when cell-propagated virus was used. These results suggest that antigenic variation in equine influenza A virus isolates and host-cell selection of antigenic variants during virus propagation may not be of sufficient magnitude to influence serological evaluation of antibody responses by hemagglutination inhibition or single radial hemolysis.     

A monoclonal antibody to equine interleukin-4

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is secreted by T helper type 2 cells, mast cells, basophils and eosinophils. Detection of IL-4 can contribute the evaluation of cellular immune responses during infectious diseases, immunological disorders or vaccination. We used recombinant equine IL-4 to generate a monoclonal antibody (mAb) to equine IL-4. The mAb detected recombinant IL-4 in mammalian cells transfected with different plasmids containing IL-4 cDNA. After mitogen stimulation of equine peripheral blood mononuclear cells, an intracellular protein was recognized by the new mAb in 1–2% of lymphocytes using flow cytometric analysis. In the presence of the secretion blocker Brefeldin A, the protein accumulated and was detected in 4–8% of lymphocytes stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and ionomycin. Double staining with the new mAb and T-cell or B-cell markers identified a subpopulation of CD4⁺ T-cells expressing the protein recognized by the mAb. In addition, the protein was detectable in cell culture supernatants of mitogen stimulated cells by ELISA when using the new mAb for coating of the plates and a polyclonal antiserum to equine IL-4 for detection. In conclusion, the new mAb detects equine IL-4 and can be used for intracellular staining and ELISA to measure this important cytokine.     

Isolation and characterization of canine natural killer cells

NK cells are non-T, non-B lymphocytes that kill target cells without previous activation. The immunophenotype and function of these cells in humans and mice are well defined, but canine NK cells remain incompletely characterized. Our objectives were to isolate and culture canine peripheral blood NK cells, and to define their immunophenotype and killing capability. PBMC were obtained from healthy dogs and T cells were depleted by immunomagnetic separation. The residual cells were cultured in media supplemented with IL-2, IL-15 or both, or with mouse embryonic liver (EL) feeder cells. Non-T, non-B lymphocytes survived and expanded in these cultures. IL-2 was necessary and sufficient for survival; the addition of IL-15 was necessary for expansion, but IL-15 alone did not support survival. Culture with EL cells and IL-2 also fostered survival and expansion. The non-T, non-B lymphocytes uniformly expressed CD45, MHC I, and showed significant cytotoxic activity against CTAC targets. Expression of MHC II, CD11/18 was restricted to subsets of these cells. The data show that cells meeting the criteria for NK cells in other species, i.e., non-T, non-B lymphocytes with cytotoxic activity, can be expanded from canine PBMC by T-cell depletion and culture with cytokines or feeder cells.     

Interleukin 1- and 2-like activities in the dog

Canine adherent and non-adherent peripheral blood leukocytes and spleen cells were examined for their ability to produce soluble factors with Interleukin 1- and 2- (IL-1 and IL-2) like activities. For this purpose, three conventional assay systems were used: (a) proliferation on an IL-2-dependent murine cytotoxic T-lymphocyte cell line, (b) enhancement of PHA-induced murine thymocyte proliferation and (c) proliferation of lectin-primed canine peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). Only the latter two types of cells respond to IL-1, whereas all three types respond to IL-2. Both types of factors were produced and the kinetics of their release/production were found to be identical to those of human PBL. Results suggested that species-related differences existed. Canine interleukin-containing supernatants had higher titers than murine interleukin-containing supernatants when analyzed on canine lymphocytes, and the reverse was found if murine target cells were used.     

Characterization of monoclonal antibodies to equine interleukin-10 and detection of T regulatory 1 cells in horses

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) terminates inflammatory immune responses and inhibits activation and effector functions of T-cells, monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells. IL-10 has also been found to be a key cytokine expressed by subpopulations of regulatory T-cells. In this report, we describe the generation and characterization of three monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to equine IL-10. The antibodies were found to be specific for equine IL-10 using different recombinant equine cytokine/IgG fusion proteins. Two of the anti-equine IL-10 mAbs were selected for ELISA to detect secreted IL-10 in supernatants of mitogen stimulated equine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The sensitivity of the ELISA for detecting secreted IL-10 was found to be around 200pg/ml. The production of intracellular IL-10 was measured in equine PBMC by flow cytometry. PBMC were stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and ionomycin in the presence of the secretion blocker Brefeldin A. All three anti-IL-10 mAbs detected a positive population in PMA stimulated lymphocytes which was absent in the medium controls. Around 80% of the IL-10(+) cells were CD4(+). Another 15% were CD8(+) cells. Double staining with IL-4 or interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) indicated that PMA and ionomycin stimulation induced 80% IL-10(+)/IFN-gamma(+) lymphocytes, while only 5% IL-10(+)/IL-4(+) cells were observed. By calculation, at least 60% of the IL-10(+)/IFN-gamma(+) cells were CD4(+) lymphocytes. This expression profile corresponds to the recently described T regulatory 1 (T(R)1) cell phenotype. In summary, the new mAbs to equine IL-10 detected native equine IL-10 by ELISA and flow cytometry and can be used for further characterization of this important regulatory cytokine in horses.     

Granzyme B-mRNA expression by equine lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cells is associated with the induction of apoptosis in target cells

Lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells are a subset of cytotoxic cells capable of lysing freshly isolated tumor cells. While LAK activity is typically measured using the (51)Cr-release assay, here we used a non-radioactive flow cytometric method to demonstrate equine LAK activity. Equine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were stimulated in vitro with recombinant human interleukin 2 (hIL-2) to generate LAK cells. An equine tumor cell line, EqT8888, labeled with carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE) was used as target cells. Following incubation of the targets with different concentrations of LAK cells, Annexin V was added to identify the early apoptotic cells. With increasing effector to target cell ratios, EqT8888 apoptosis was increased. We also measured interferon-gamma, granzyme B and perforin mRNA expression in the LAK cell cultures as possible surrogate markers for cytotoxic cell activity and found granzyme B mRNA expression correlated best with LAK activity. Also, we found that the reduced LAK activity of young horses was associated with decreased granzyme B mRNA expression. Our results indicate that fluorescence-based detection of LAK cell activity provides a suitable non-radioactive alternative to (51)Cr-release assays and mRNA expression of granzyme B can be used as surrogate marker for these cytotoxic cells.     

Production of an equine monoclonal antibody specific for the H7 hemagglutinin of equine influenza virus

Peripheral blood leucocytes from a pony previously exposed to equine influenza virus (H3, N8) and vaccinated with killed virus (H3, N8 and H7, N7 subtypes) were cultured in vitro with live A/equine/Prague/56 (H7, N7). On the sixth day of culture, cells were harvested and fused with mouse myeloma cells (X63-Ag8.653). From this fusion, one hemagglutinin specific, equine IgG monoclonal antibody secreting hybridoma was identified and cloned twice by limiting dilution. The antibody inhibited hemagglutination by nine H7 equine influenza virus isolates obtained over a 21-year period, but did not inhibit A/equine/Miami/63 (H3, N8), or A/PR/8/34 (H1, N1). The neutralizing titer of hybridoma induced, nude mouse ascitic fluid was 10(-4.5) when tested in eggs against 100 egg infective doses (EID50) A/equine/Prague/1/56. The hybridoma continued to synthesize antibody during more than 4 months in continuous culture.     

Molecular characterization and functional expression of equine interleukin-1 type I and type II receptor cDNAs

cDNA generated from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated equine peripheral blood mononuclear cells was used to amplify and clone type I and type II equine interleukin-1 receptors (IL-1RI and IL-1RII) using primers derived from semi-conserved regions between human and mouse IL-1RI and IL-1RII sequences, respectively. 5' and 3' terminal sequences of equine IL-1RI and IL-1RII were amplified by 5' and 3' rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The deduced amino acid sequence of equine IL-1RI demonstrated 77, 64 and 63% similarity with human, mouse and rat sequences, respectively. The predicted amino acid sequence of equine IL-1RII demonstrated 70, 60 and 58% similarity with human, mouse and rat sequences, respectively. Recombinant equine soluble IL-1RI and IL-1RII produced in insect cells bound recombinant equine IL-1alpha and IL-1beta. Furthermore, both receptors suppressed the growth inhibitory activities of equine IL-1alpha and IL-1beta toward A375 cells in a dose-dependent manner, indicating that the present equine IL-1RI and IL-1RII cDNA encodes biologically active proteins.     

Interferon-gamma, interleukin-4 and interleukin-10 production by T helper cells reveals intact Th1 and regulatory TR1 cell activation and a delay of the Th2 cell response in equine neonates and foals

Cytokines produced by T helper (Th) cells are important in orchestrating the immune response during health and disease. Recent reports indicated that cytokine mRNA expression in foals is often quantitatively lower than that of adult horses suggesting that foal T cells are not fully mature. Here, peripheral blood mononuclear cells from foals and adult horses were stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and analyzed for intracellular interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-10 production, representing the Th1, Th2 and regulatory T_R1 cell phenotypes respectively, by flow cytometry. In agreement with previous reports, all three cytokines were quantitatively reduced in foals compared to adults. However, the balance between Th1 and Th2 cytokines (IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio) showed a clear Th1-biased response in foals by 6 and 12 weeks of life, while similar IFN-γ/IL-10 ratios were found in foals and adult horses. By day 5 after birth, intracellular IFN-γ production by foal CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells resembled that in adults. Overall, IL-4 production was low in foals. IL-4⁺ cells peaked at day 5 of age when IL-4 was mainly produced by IgE⁺ cells. Relative percentages of IL-4⁺ Th2 cells were significantly lower in foals at all time points. The data suggested that equine neonates and young foals have an impaired Th2 response, that the immune response of foals is Th1 biased, that IFN-γ production by Th and cytotoxic T cells is qualitatively similar to adult horses, and regulatory IL-10 production by T cells is developmentally mature in foals during the first three months of life.     

Infectious Center Assay of Intracellular Virus and Infective Virus Titer for Equine Mononuclear Cells Infected in vivo and in vitro with Equine Herpesviruses

A novel, simple method of infectious center assay was developed to detect and quantitate the intracellular existence of equine herpesvirus 1 and equine herpesvirus 2 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells infected in vivo and in vitro with the viruses by cocultivation of these cells with a permissive equine cell culture. The infectious center titers were correlated with the infectious virus titers. In vivo equine herpesvirus 1-infected mononuclear cells obtained from ponies experimentally infected with the virus and equine herpesvirus 2-infected mononuclear cells obtained from selected naturally infected ponies with the virus gave by infectious center assay a mean value of 67 infectious center/2 x 10⁶ cells as a peak titer on day 4 postinfection and 26 infectious center/2 x 10⁶ cells for equine herpesvirus 1 and equine herpesvirus 2 respectively. The mononuclear cells, in both cases, did not contain detectable infectious virus, but the infectious virus was detected from the respective cells when they were cultured in the presence of mitogen. The equine herpesvirus 1 infected mononuclear cells in culture gave a mean count of 8.05 x 10² infectious center/2 x 10⁶ cells/mL and contained 1.08 x 10⁴ plague assay/mL of infectious virus. Similarly the equine herpesvirus 2 infected mononuclear cells in culture gave a mean count of 7.1 x 10¹ infectious center/2 x 10⁶ cells/mL and contained <10¹ tissue culture infective dose₅₀/mL of infectious virus. Mononuclear cells infected in vitro with equine herpesvirus 1 gave a mean count of 9.3 x 10⁴ infectious center/2 x 10⁶ cells/mL and contained 5.75 x 10³ plaque assay/mL of infectius virus. Culturing these cells in the presence of mitogen gave a mean count of 5.5 x 10³ infectious center/2 x 10⁶ cells/mL and contained 9 x 10³ plague assay/mL of infectious virus. A correlation between infectious center assay and infectious virus assay is discussed.     

Genetic Analyses of an H3N8 Influenza Virus Isolate, Causative Strain of the Outbreak of Equine Influenza at the Kanazawa Racecourse in Japan in 2007

In August 2007, an outbreak of equine influenza occurred among vaccinated racehorses with Japanese commercial equine influenza vaccine at Kanazawa Racecourse in Ishikawa prefecture in Japan. Apparent symptoms were pyrexia (38.2-41.0 degrees C) and nasal discharge with or without coughing, although approximately half of the infected horses were subclinical. All horses had been shot with a vaccine that contained two inactivated H3N8 influenza virus strains [A/equine/La Plata/93 (La Plata/93) of American lineage and A/equine/Avesta/93 (Avesta/93) of European lineage] and an H7N7 strain (A/equine/Newmarket/1/77). Influenza virus, A/equine/Kanazawa/1/2007 (H3N8) (Kanazawa/07), was isolated from one of the nasal swab samples of diseased horses. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that Kanazawa/07 was classified into the American sublineage Florida. In addition, four amino acid substitutions were found in the antigenic sites B and E in the HA1 subunit protein of Kanazawa/07 in comparison with that of La Plata/93. Hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) test using 16 serum samples from recovering horses revealed that 1.4- to 8-fold difference in titers between Kanazawa/07 and either of the vaccine strains. The present findings suggest that Japanese commercial inactivated vaccine contributed to reducing the morbidity rate and manifestation of the clinical signs of horses infected with Kanazawa/07 that may be antigenically different from the vaccine strains.     

Induction of IL-2 and lymphokine activated killer cells in the cat

We have described the use of a cloned murine IL-2-dependent T-cell line to directly measure feline IL-2. Concanavalin A stimulated feline peripheral blood lymphocytes produced an IL-2-rich supernatant that supported the growth of this murine IL-2-dependent T-cell line. In addition to producing IL-2, Con A stimulated killer cells in PBL were cytotoxic for the FeLV transformed tumor cell line FL74. Incubating feline PBL with a cocktail of the calcium ionophore A23187 and phorbol ester also led to the generation of cytotoxic cells as well as the production of high levels of IL-2. Finally, IL-2-rich supernatant was able to stimulate cytotoxic activity in PBL from normal cats.