Porcine acute phase protein concentrations in different diseases in field conditions

Five acute phase proteins (APPs) [C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp), pig-MAP and albumin] were measured in pigs with naturally occurring infections by porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV), porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, and in animals with tail and ear bites, arthritis and other acute inflammatory processes. Healthy specific pathogen-free (SPF) pigs were used as controls. In PRRSV-infected pigs, all APPs with the exception of pig-MAP exhibited significant changes compared with controls. In animals affected with ADV only Hp presented changes of statistical significance, whereas pigs with PCV2 showed marked modifications in all APPs tested. Animals affected with Mycoplasmosis showed concentrations of all positive APPs significantly above levels obtained in SPF pigs, though albumin concentrations did not differ from controls. Finally, all APPs studied showed substantial changes in pigs with acute inflammation. The results indicated that an acute phase response was developed in the different diseases studied, this response being higher in animals with clinical signs and concurrent bacterial processes. Haptoglobin would be the APP that better reflects pathological states; however, to get more complete and valuable information it might be advisable to perform APPs profiles including another APP, such as CRP or SAA.     

Anti-inflammatory effects of several plant extracts on porcine alveolar macrophages in vitro

Certain plant extracts are bioactive substances of some foods or traditional herbs, known to possess antioxidant, antibacterial, and perhaps immunoregulatory effects. This study investigated the in vitro anti-inflammatory effects of 7 plant extracts (anethol, capsicum oleoresin, carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, garlicon, and turmeric oleoresin) on porcine alveolar macrophages collected from weaned pigs (n = 6 donor pigs) by bronchoalveolar lavage. The experimental design for this assay was a 2 [with or without 1 μg lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/mL] × 5 (5 different amounts of each plant extract) factorial arrangements in a randomized complete block design. The application of plant extracts were 0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 μg/mL, except for cinnamaldehyde and turmeric oleoresin, which were 0, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 μg/mL. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to determine the number of live cells, Griess assay was applied to detect nitric oxide (NO) production, and ELISA was used to measure tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-1β, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and IL-10 in the cell culture supernatants of macrophages. The LPS increased (P < 0.001) the secretion of TNF-α, IL-1β, and TGF-β. Without LPS, anethol and capsicum oleoresin increased (linear, P < 0.001) cell viability of macrophages, whereas other plant extracts reduced (linear, P < 0.001) it. Anethol, capsicum oleoresin, and carvacrol enhanced (linear, P < 0.001) the cell proliferation of LPS-treated macrophages. Without LPS, anethol, capsicum oleoresin, cinnamaldehyde, or turmeric oleoresin stimulated TNF-α secretion, whereas all plant extracts except eugenol enhanced IL-1β concentration in the supernatants of macrophages. However, all plant extracts suppressed (linear, P < 0.001) TNF-α, and all plant extracts except turmeric oleoresin decreased (linear, P < 0.05) IL-1β secretion from LPS-treated macrophages. Anethol and capsicum oleoresin decreased (linear, P < 0.001) TGF-β from macrophages in the absence of LPS, but the other plant extracts increased it. Anethol, capsicum oleoresin, and carvacrol also suppressed (linear, P < 0.001) TGF-β from macrophages with LPS stimulation; the other plant extracts enhanced or did not affect it. The anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10, was not detected in any supernatants. Only very low amounts of NO were detected in the supernatants of macrophages. In conclusion, the TNF-α results indicate all plant extracts tested here may have anti-inflammatory effects to varying degrees.     

β-羟丁酸抑制脂多糖诱导奶牛中性粒细胞核因子-κB信号通路的激活

高酮血症造成奶牛中性粒细胞先天免疫机能受到抑制,本研究探讨β-羟丁酸(BHBA)是否抑制脂多糖(LPS)诱导的奶牛中性粒细胞核因子-κB(NF-κB)信号通路的激活。分离健康奶牛中性粒细胞,采用LPS(100 ng/mL)和不同浓度(0.5、1.0、2.0和4.0 mmol/L)BHBA作用于中性粒细胞,收集细胞,应用实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)检测中性粒细胞中白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)和NF-κBp65 mRNA表达水平,Western blot检测NF-κBp65蛋白表达水平,比色法检测核因子-κB抑制物激酶β(IKKβ)激酶活性,酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)法检测促炎细胞因子TNF-α、IL-6和IL-1β的分泌量。结果表明：与对照组(不进行BHBA和LPS处理)相比较,LPS组(单独LPS处理)中IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α和NF-κBp65 mRNA表达水平和NF-κBp65蛋白表达水平极显著增加(P <0.01),IKKβ激酶活性极显著增强(P<0.01),IL-1β和TNF-α的分泌...     

共轭亚油酸对免疫应激仔猪生长抑制的缓解作用

试验选用 72头 (2 8± 2 )d断奶的仔猪 ,采用 2× 2因子试验设计 ,研究共轭亚油酸 (CLA)是否有缓解仔猪免疫应激的作用。结果显示 ,添加CLA缓解了因注射脂多糖 (LPS)引起的日增重降低 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,并改善了试验全期的饲料转化效率 (P <0 .0 5 )。两次LPS刺激后 ,CLA抑制 (P <0 .0 5 )了由LPS诱导的血浆白细胞介素 6 (IL 6 )、肿瘤坏死因子 α(TNF α)和α 乙酰糖蛋白 (AGP)浓度的上升。在第 14d和 2 1d ,LPS刺激提高 (P <0 .0 5 )了血浆IL 1β和皮质醇含量 ,而CLA则降低了IL 1β和皮质醇含量。本试验证明 ,CLA能缓解免疫应激引起的仔猪生长抑制 ,其防止免疫应激诱导的生长抑制作用可能与CLA抑制炎性细胞因子的分泌有关     

长链n-3多不饱和脂肪酸对肠上皮细胞促炎细胞因子基因mRNA表达的影响

本试验旨在探讨长链n-3多不饱和脂肪酸(LC n-3 PUFA)对肠上皮细胞促炎细胞因子基因mRNA表达的影响.试验选用大鼠肠上皮细胞系IEC-6细胞为模型,分为4个处理,分别为对照、脂多糖(LPS,1μg/mL)、LPS(1μg/mL)+二十二碳六烯酸(DHA,100 μmol/L)和LPS(l μg/mL)+二十碳五烯酸(EPA,100μmol/L),每个处理3个重复,每孔为1个重复.细胞先用DHA、EPA或等量二甲基亚砜(DHA和EPA的溶剂,对照)预处理48h,再用LPS处理3h,收集细胞提取总RNA,采用实时定量PCR方法分析肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白介素-1β(IL-1β)和白介素-6(IL-6)的基因mRNA表达水平的差异.结果表明:LPS极显著上调了细胞中TNF-α、IL-1 β和IL-6的基因mRNA表达水平(P＜0.01),EPA均极显著或显著削弱了细胞内LPS诱导的TNF-α(P＜0.01)、IL-1β(P ＜0.01)和IL-6的基因mRNA水平(P＜0.05)的上调,而DHA仅显著削弱了细胞内LPS诱导的IL-1β的基因mRNA水平的上调(P＜0.05).结果提示,LC n-3 PUFA在肠上皮细胞中具有抗炎作用,且在本试验条件下EPA的抗炎效果要优于DHA.     

褪黑素对LPS致大鼠海马炎性损伤的保护作用

本研究旨在探究褪黑素（MT）对脂多糖（LPS）致大鼠海马炎性损伤的保护作用。选取40只4周龄健康雄性SD大鼠,随机分为4组：空白组（CON组）、模型组（LPS组）、褪黑素干预组（LPS+MT组）及褪黑素组（MT组）。通过腹腔注射的方式给予大鼠10 mg·kg^-1MT和/或10 mg·kg^-1LPS,4 h后,采用旷场试验对各组大鼠进行行为学测试;试验结束称大鼠体重,解剖取海马称重并计算海马体系数;苏木精-伊红（HE）染色观察脑切片中海马区域病理变化;RT-PCR技术检测海马中小胶质细胞激活标记物Iba-1和CD11b mRNA表达;Western blot法检测海马中炎性因子IL-1β、TNF-α、IL-6、IL-10及TGF-β蛋白表达。结果表明,与CON组相比,LPS组大鼠自主探索行为减少、运动能力下降,海马组织神经细胞排列松散、细胞间隙增大、胞质固缩深染、胶质细胞浸润,小胶质细胞激活标志物Iba-1和CD11b mRNA表达极显著升高（P<0.01）,促炎因子IL-1β、TNF-α及IL-6蛋白表达极显著升高（P<0.01）,抗炎因子IL-10和TGF-β蛋白表达极显著降低（P<0.01）。而与LPS组相比,LPS+MT组大鼠自主探索行为增加、运动能力增强,海马组织神经细胞排列紧密,未见明显病变,小胶质细胞激活标记物Iba-1和CD11b mRNA表达极显著降低（P<0.01）,促炎因子IL-1β、TNF-α及IL-6蛋白表达极显著降低（P<0.01）,抗炎因子IL-10和TGF-β蛋白表达极显著增加（P<0.01）。此外,MT组与CON组相比,所有指标差异均不显著（P>0.05）。结果提示,MT可抑制小胶质细胞激活,减轻海马炎症反应,从而改善LPS造成的大鼠海马炎性损伤。     

Cytokines and acute phase proteins associated with acute swine influenza infection in pigs

This study set out to investigate the cytokines and acute phase proteins (APPs) associated with the acute stages of experimentally-induced swine influenza virus (SIV) infection in 3-week-old, colostrum-deprived, caesarean-derived piglets. The piglets were inoculated intratracheally with 10^7.5 50% egg infective dose [EID₅₀] Swine/Belgium/1/98 (H1N1) SIV and were euthanased at time-points between 0 and 120 h post-inoculation (PI). Broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF), lung homogenates and sera were examined for inflammatory mediators by bioassay or ELISA. Interferon (IFN)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α peaked in BALF 24–30 h PI, when virus titres and the severity of clinical signs were maximal.Whereas IFN-γ and IL-12, but not IL-18, increased in tandem in BALF, serum cytokine concentrations were either undetectable or were up to 100-fold lower. The APP C-reactive protein (CRP) and haptoglobin peaked 24 h later than the cytokines and reached higher levels in serum than in BALF. In contrast, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-binding protein (LBP) only increased in BALF. Lung virus titres tightly correlated with BALF IFN-α, IL-6, IL-1, TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-12, as well as with serum IL-6, IFN-α and IFN-γ. Signs of disease correlated with the same cytokines in BALF and serum, as well as with BALF LBP and serum CRP. The findings suggest that IFN-γ and IL-12 play a role in the pathogenesis of SIV and that APPs are induced by cytokines. This influenza infection model may have value in assessing the therapeutic potential of cytokine antagonists.     

The porcine acute phase protein response to acute clinical and subclinical experimental infection with Streptococcus suis

The pig acute phase protein (APP) response to experimental Streptococcus suis (S. suis) infection was mapped by the measurement of the positive APPs C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp) and major acute phase protein (pig-MAP) and the negative APPs albumin and apolipoprotein (Apo) A-I. The aim was to elucidate the differences in the acute phase behaviour of the individual APPs during a typical bacterial septicaemic infection. Pigs were inoculated subcutaneously with live S. suis serotype 2 and blood was sampled before and on various days post inoculation (p.i.), until the pigs were killed and autopsied on day 14 p.i. Clinical signs (fever and lameness) were observed in four of the five inoculated pigs from day 2 p.i., and these pigs also had arthritic lesions at autopsy. CRP and SAA showed fast increases in serum concentrations, CRP being elevated from days 1 to 12 p.i. and peaking at 10 times the day 0-levels on day 1 p.i. SAA rose quickly to peak levels of 30-40 times the day 0-level on days 1-2 and returned to pre-inoculation level on day 5 p.i. Hp and pig-MAP showed slightly slower responses, both peaking around 5 days p.i. Hp was increased throughout the experiment with maximum levels around 10 times the day 0-levels, and pig-MAP was elevated on days 1-12 p.i. with peak levels of around seven times the day 0-levels. Apo A-I was decreased from days 1 to 8 and showed minimum levels of about 40% of day 0-levels around 1-2 days p.i. No clear pattern of changes in albumin levels could be identified. One pig, showing clinical signs on day 2 only, also showed an APP response, although of a relatively short duration, whereas three pigs presenting clinical signs for several days had a more protracted acute phase response. Remarkably, the one pig showing no clinical signs and no arthritic lesions showed an APP response comparable to that of the other, clinically affected pigs. Thus, both acute clinical and subclinical S. suis infection could be revealed by the measurement of one or more of the APPs CRP, SAA, Hp, pig-MAP and Apo A-I. The combined measurement of two or three APPs, including proteins with slow and fast kinetics, should be used to achieve the highest sensitivity for the detection of ongoing S. suis infection during a prolonged time period. A diagnostic tool based on such APP-measurements could considerably improve strategic control procedures for this important infection.     

Temporal pattern and effect of sex on lipopolysaccharide-induced stress hormone and cytokine response in pigs

The temporal pattern and sex effect of immune and stress hormone responses to a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge were assessed using a pig model. Secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 increased in a time-dependent manner following LPS infusion. There was also a time-dependent increase in secretion of the stress-related hormones cortisol, epinephrine (E), and norepinephrine (NE) following LPS, with peak concentrations attained within 30 min. The magnitude of the TNF-α and IL-1β responses were both positively associated (P < 0.05) with the magnitude of cortisol response following LPS, whereas serum IL-1β and IL-6 were positively correlated with the magnitude of E and NE responses following LPS. Acute-phase protein production was also time-dependently increased following LPS. The concentration of immune cells in circulation was decreased (P < 0.05) at 5.5 h post-LPS and negatively correlated with pro-inflammatory cytokine production. By 24 h post-LPS, immune cell counts increased (P < 0.05) and were positively associated with both pro-inflammatory cytokine and stress hormone production. The amplitude of pro-inflammatory cytokine response following LPS was affected (P < 0.05) by sex classification; however, the magnitude of elevated cytokine concentrations was not. The magnitude of the NE response, but not of the E and cortisol responses, to LPS was influenced by sex (P < 0.05). Similar to the pro-inflammatory cytokines, the magnitude of exposure to the stress hormones following LPS was not influenced by sex. The production of serum amyloid A (SAA) was influenced by sex, with barrows producing more SAA than gilts at 24 h post-LPS (P < 0.05). Collectively, these results demonstrate sex-specific, concomitant temporal changes in innate immune- and stress-related hormones.     

孕酮对LPS诱导小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞表达TNF-α、IL-1β、TLR4、CD14和MD2的影响

先分离培养小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞,经差速贴壁法纯化后,随机分为6组：空白对照组、0.5mg/L脂多糖（LPS）组、10-6 mol/L孕酮（P4）组、LPS＋10-5 mol/L P4组、LPS＋10-6 mol/L P4组、LPS＋10-7 mol/L P4组。各组在处理12、24h分别提取上清液,ELISA法测TNF-α和IL-1β的含量;各组在处理24h分别提取细胞总RNA,用RT-PCR法测TLR4、CD14、MD2mRNA的表达。结果显示,处理12、24h,0.5mg/L LPS组TNF-α和IL-1β的含量均极显著高于对照组（P〈0.01）;10-6 mol/L P4组与对照组差异不显著（P〉0.05）;LPS＋10-5 mol/L P4组极显著低于对照组（P〈0.01）;LPS＋10-6 mol/L P4组显著低于对照组（P〈0.05）;而LPS＋10-7 mol/L P4组TNF-α的表达差异不显著（P〉0.05）,IL-1β的表达差异显著（P〈0.05）。说明P4可降低LPS刺激小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞TNF-α和IL-1β的分泌,且呈剂量依赖关系。LPS单独处理,TLR4和CD14mRNA的表达极显著高于对照组（P〈0.01）;10-6 mol/L P4单独处理与对照组无显著差异（P〉0.05）;分别添加1-5、10-6、10-7 mol/L P4组均极显著降低LPS诱导TLR4和CD14mRNA的表达（P〈0.01）,而MD2mRNA的表达差异不显著（P〉0.05）。说明P4可极显著降低LPS刺激小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞TLR4和CD14mRNA表达,但对MD2mRNA表达影响不显著。结果显示,P4能抑制LPS刺激的小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞TNF-α和IL-1β的分泌,此过程与细胞TLR4和CD14表达下降相关,而与MD2的表达无关。     

紫花地丁总黄酮体外抗炎活性研究

试验研究了紫花地丁总黄酮（TFV）对脂多糖（LPS）诱导的小鼠RAW264.7巨噬细胞活力、细胞中炎症介质含量以及相关基因表达的影响,以期探讨其体外抗炎活性的作用。试验采用MTT法筛选出TFV对小鼠RAW264.7巨噬细胞活力具有促进作用的最佳添加浓度;用酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）检测了TFV对LPS诱导的小鼠RAW264.7巨噬细胞释放到细胞培养液中NO、肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）、白介素1β（IL-1β）、白介素6（IL-6）含量的影响;运用实时荧光定量PCR法检测了TFV对LPS诱导的炎性小鼠RAW264.7巨噬细胞TNF-α、诱导型一氧化氮合酶（iNOS）和环氧合酶2（COX-2）相对表达水平的影响;研究并分析了TFV的体外抗炎活性。试验结果表明,TFV在5~50 μg/mL浓度范围内能提高小鼠RAW264.7巨噬细胞的活力（P<0.05）;与LPS模型组比较,TFV能显著降低LPS诱导的小鼠RAW264.7巨噬细胞产生NO、TNF-α、IL-6、IL-1β的含量,并能显著降低LPS诱导的小鼠RAW264.7巨噬细胞内TNF-α、COX-2等炎症因子的mRNA表达量（P<0.05）。综上,TFV能显著下调LPS诱导的小鼠RAW264.7巨噬细胞IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α等细胞因子的释放量和下调TNF-α、COX-2 mRNA的表达量,说明抑制促炎性细胞因子基因的表达可能是实现其抗炎作用的原因之一。     

Meat juice: An alternative matrix for assessing animal health by measuring acute phase proteins. Correlations of pig-MAP and haptoglobin concentrations in pig meat juice and plasma

Quantification of acute phase proteins (APPs) in blood can be used for monitoring animal health and welfare on farms, and could be also of interest for the detection of diseased animals during the meat inspection process. However serum or plasma is not always available for end-point analysis at slaughter. Meat juice might provide an adequate, alternative matrix that can be easily obtained for post-mortem analysis at abattoirs. The concentrations of pig Major Acute phase Protein (pig-MAP) and haptoglobin, two of the main APPs in pigs, were determined in approximately 300 paired samples of plasma and meat juice from the diaphragm (pars costalis), obtained after freezing and thawing the muscle. APPs concentrations in meat juice were closely correlated to those in plasma (r = 0.695 for haptoglobin, r = 0.858 for pig-MAP, p < 0.001). These results open new possibilities for the assessment of animal health in pig production, with implications for food safety and meat quality.     

柴桂口服液体外抗炎作用的研究

探讨柴桂口服液在脂多糖(LPS)诱导RAW 264.7细胞中的抗炎能力,为研发具有抗炎功效的柴桂制剂提供依据和参考.利用LPS刺激RAW 264.7细胞建立体外炎症模型,CCK8法检测药物对细胞的安全浓度,观察不同浓度的柴桂口服液作用细胞后的体外抗炎效果.结果表明,柴桂口服液对RAW 264.7细胞安全浓度为不超过10...     

人参多糖对脂多糖刺激小鼠巨噬细胞的免疫调控作用

本试验旨在研究脂多糖(LPS)刺激条件下人参多糖(GPS)对小鼠单核巨噬细胞形态及免疫功能的调节作用.采用LPS刺激小鼠巨噬细胞(RAW264.7),通过测量不同浓度(1、0.5、0.1 mg/mL)GPS对细胞形态、生物酶活性、促炎症因子分泌及TLR4/NF-κB信号通路mRNA表达量的影响来研究不同浓度的GPS对L...     

Rough virulent strain of Brucella ovis induces pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in reproductive tissues in experimentally infected rams

The ovine brucellosis caused by Brucella ovis has tropism for reproductive tissues but until now the mechanism of bacterial persistence is not understood. Cytokine expression profiles were studied for 8 months in rams after being experimentally infected with the rough virulent strain of B. ovis (R-B. ovis) to study the pathogenesis of B. ovis and immune mechanism possibly associated to bacteria tropism and persistence. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of interleukin-1α (IL-1α), IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, interferon-γ (INF-γ) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) cytokines were quantified by real-time quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) in reproductive tissues (epididymus, testicles, ampolae, vesicular glands and bulbourethral glands), and non-reproductive (liver, spleen and kidneys) tissues at 30, 60, 120 and 240 days post infection (dpi). During the acute phase of infection at 30 dpi, the host immune response was most notable demonstrating an up-regulation of several cytokines in reproductive tissues, including the epididymus (IL-6, IL-1β and IL-1α), testicles (INF-γ and IL-12), bulbourethral glands (IL-6 and TNF-α) and ampolae (INF-γ, IL-10, IL-1β and IL-1α). During the development of infection, cytokine gene expression levels decreased, providing evidence of immunosuppression and evidence of immune evasion that favoured persistence of chronic R-B. ovis infection. During the chronic phase of R-B. ovis infection (120 and 240 dpi), cytokine production was down-regulated in the epididymus (IL-1β and IL-1α), testicles (INF-γ and IL-12), and ampolae (INF-γ, IL-10, IL-1β and IL-1α), with the exception of the bulbourethral glands (IL-6 and TNF-α) and epididymus (IL-6); in these tissues, R-B. ovis infection resulted in up-regulation of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6. Herein, we report cytokine expression profiles in tissues of rams experimentally infected with the rough strain of B. ovis, which are associated with bacterial persistence and macrophage activation.     

Involvement of the choroid plexus in the inflammatory response after acute spinal cord injury in dogs: An immunohistochemical study

The choroid plexus (CP) is increasingly recognized as an important contributor to central nervous system (CNS) inflammation by recruitment of inflammatory cells and release of inflammatory cytokines. Here we investigate the role of the CP epithelium (CPE) as a source of three pro-inflammatory molecules of potential importance in inflammation after acute spinal cord injury (SCI): IL-1β, TNF-α, and hsp70. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for these three proteins was performed on 4th ventricular CPE from 4 dogs euthanized 12-48h after spontaneous acute SCI, and from 4 neurologically normal dogs euthanized for other reasons. IHC staining was quantified using Aperio ImageScope software. IHC staining in the CPE of dogs with acute SCI was 2.2, 1.6 and 1.5 times higher than that of normal dogs, for IL-1β, TNF-α, and hsp70, respectively. Increases were statistically significant (p<0.1) for IL-1β and TNF-α, and closely approached significance for hsp70. These findings indicate that the CPE could serve as an important source of these inflammatory mediators after SCI. There was also an inverse correlation between IL-1β and hsp70 staining and duration of clinical signs in acute SCI, suggesting that increased expression of these proteins by the CPE may be of particular importance in the immediate-early inflammatory response after acute SCI.     

Pig-major acute phase protein and haptoglobin serum concentrations correlate with PCV2 viremia and the clinical course of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome

The aim of the present longitudinal study was to assess the evolution of two acute phase proteins (APPs), pig-major acute phase protein (pig-MAP) and haptoglobin (HPT), in serum from pigs that developed postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) in comparison to healthy and wasted non-PMWS affected pigs. In addition, evidence of infection with other pathogens and its relation with variations in APPs concentrations was also assessed. Fourteen independent batches of 100–154 pigs were monitored from birth to PMWS outbreak occurrence in 11 PMWS affected farms. Pigs displaying PMWS-like signs and age-matched healthy controls were euthanized during the clinical outbreak. PMWS was diagnosed according to internationally accepted criteria and pigs were classified as: (i) PMWS cases, (ii) wasted non-PMWS cases and (iii) healthy pigs. At the moment of PMWS occurrence, pig-MAP and HPT concentration in PMWS affected pigs were higher than in healthy ones (p < 0.0001). No differences in APPs serum concentrations between subclinically PCV2-infected pigs and healthy non-PCV2-infected pigs (based on quantitative PCR on serum results) were detected. Results showed a significant correlation between PCV2 loads and both pig-MAP (R = 0.487–0.602, p < 0.0001) and HPT (R = 0.326–0.550, p < 0.05–0.0001) concentrations in serum of PMWS affected pigs, indicating that the acute phase response in PMWS affected pigs occurred concomitantly to PCV2 viremia. No other pathogen, apart from PCV2, was consistently related with variations in APPs concentrations. A ROC analysis, made to determine the capacity of discrimination of both APPs between PMWS affected and non-affected pigs, showed higher sensitivity and specificity values using pig-MAP compared to HPT. These results suggest that pig-MAP might be a better indicator of PMWS status than HPT. Moreover, the fact that APR occurred some weeks before the start of clinical signs suggests that APPs could provide valuable prognostic information for PMWS development.     

Cytokine expression, glucocorticoid and growth hormone changes after porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV-1) infection in vaccinated and unvaccinated naturally exposed pigs

The objective of this paper was to study the changes of some cytokines and neuroendocrine hormones in vaccinated and unvaccinated pigs that were naturally infected by a PRRSV-1 (porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus) heterologous field strain. We analyzed gene expression of pro-inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-1β, MCP-1, IL-6), pro-immune (IFN-γ) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10) in PBMC, as well as hormonal (GH and cortisol) levels in blood samples of pigs obtained in a field trial previously reported [Martelli P, Gozio S, Ferrari L, Rosina S, De Angelis E, Quintavalla C, et al. Efficacy of a modified-live porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) vaccine in pigs naturally exposed to a heterologous European (Italian cluster) field strain: clinical protection and cell-mediated immunity. Vaccine 2009;27:3788-99]. All vaccinated pigs showed an increase in pro-inflammatory and pro-immune cytokine gene expression with respect to controls and a prompt increase in GH that could be consistently associated with pro-inflammatory cytokines in sustaining innate immunity; moreover, the higher levels of cortisol indicates the activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis response. In contrast, unvaccinated pigs showed down-regulation of the cortisol and GH responses, and the pro-inflammatory and pro-immune cytokines remained at a basal or low level, with an increase of TNF-α and IL-6 in association with a higher level of IL-10 in the late phase of natural infection. The associated trends of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines together with the cortisol level demonstrate that a previous vaccination promotes an early immune responsiveness in pigs and a more efficient control of inflammation in the late phase of infection with a heterologous PRRSV isolate; both events could sustain clinical protection.     

松针多糖对小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞免疫调节作用的研究

本试验旨在研究松针多糖对正常状态及脂多糖(LPS)刺激状态下小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞的免疫调节作用。试验采用不同浓度的松针多糖作用于正常的和经LPS刺激的小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞,设空白对照组(加入100μL RPMI-1640培养基)、阳性对照组(加入100μL终浓度为5μg/m L的LPS)、松针多糖组(分别加入100μL 25、50、100、200μg/m L的松针多糖)和LPS+松针多糖组(加入与松针多糖组相同浓度的松针多糖和终浓度为5μg/m L的LPS,液体终体积为200μL)。噻唑蓝(MTT)比色法检测细胞活力,中性红吞噬试验检测巨噬细胞吞噬能力,Griess法检测一氧化氮(NO)的分泌量,酶联免疫吸附测定(ELISA)法检测巨噬细胞培养上清液中白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素-10(IL-10)的分泌量。结果表明:1)对空白对照组相比,各松针多糖组巨噬细胞相对增殖率均显著或极显著提高(P0.05或P0.01),50、100和200μg/m L松针多糖组巨噬细胞中性红吞噬率显著或极显著提高(P0.05或P0.01),各LPS+松针多糖组巨噬细胞中性红吞噬率均极显著提高(P0.01),200μg/m L松针多糖组巨噬细胞NO分泌量极显著提高(P0.01),50、100和200μg/m L松针多糖组巨噬细胞TNF-α和IL-1β分泌量显著或极显著提高(P0.05或P0.01),50、100和200μg/m L松针多糖组巨噬细胞IL-10分泌量极显著降低(P0.01)。2)与阳性对照组相比,各松针多糖组巨噬细胞相对增殖率均极显著降低(P0.01),100和200μg/m L LPS+松针多糖组巨噬细胞中性红吞噬率极显著升高(P0.01),50、100和200μg/m L LPS+松针多糖组巨噬细胞NO分泌量极显著提高(P0.01),各LPS+松针多糖组巨噬细胞TNF-α分泌量显著或极显著提高(P0.05或P0.01),50、100和200μg/m L LPS+松针多糖组巨噬细胞IL-1β分泌量显著或极显著提高(P0.05或P0.01),100和200μg/m L LPS+松针多糖组巨噬细胞IL-10分泌量极显著降低(P0.01)。由此可见,松针多糖通过发挥其促炎作用调节巨噬细胞的免疫功能,进而增强机体抗疾病的能力。