Galectins and collectinis expression are increased in Haemonchus contortus-infected corriedale sheep.

Bárbara Maria Paraná Da Silva Souza,Maria Elisabeth Aires Berne,Maria Angela Ornelas De Almeida,Sandra Mayumi Nishi,Magda Vieira Benavides,Claudio Roberto Madruga,Sabrina Mota Lambert

doi:10.1590/s1984-29612015056

Bárbara Maria Paraná Da Silva Souza, Maria Elisabeth Aires Berne + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1984-29612015056

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Abstract

Galectins and collectins are proteins classified in the lectin family that have the ability to recognize molecular patterns associated with pathogens. Studies on cattle have demonstrated high expression of these proteins during infection with gastrointestinal nematodes. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the level of Haemonchus contortus infection would alter the expression of galectins (Gal11 and Gal14) and collectins (SPA and CGN) in sheep. Twelve Corriedale sheep exposed to natural infection with nematodes were divided into two groups: group 1 (G1, n = 7) and group 2 (G2, n = 5), with low and high parasite burdens, respectively, based on fecal egg counts and abomasal parasite counts. The fecal egg counts and abomasal parasite counts were significantly different (p < 0.05) between the groups. Galectin and collectin gene expression was observed in all sheep abomasal samples. However, animals with lower infection levels showed lower expression of the genes Gal14, SPA and CGN (p < 0.05). Expression of lectins was associated with the abomasal H. contortus burden, thus suggesting that these proteins may have a role in controlling of this infection.

Highlights

Haemonchosis is responsible for low performance and can cause severe disruption to sheep production chain in many tropical and subtropical regions, where it is endemic
The aim of this study was to investigate whether the level of Haemonchus contortus infection would alter the expression of galectins (Gal11 and galectin 14 (Gal14)) and collectins (SPA and CGN) in sheep
The present study investigated whether the gene expression of galectins (Gal11 and Gal14) and collectins (SPA and CGN) in sheep differed between groups with different levels of H. contortus infection, thereby contributing towards better understanding of the innate immune response against gastrointestinal helminths, based on the premise that lectins are pattern recognition molecules of the cell surface of parasites

Summary

Introduction

Haemonchosis is responsible for low performance and can cause severe disruption to sheep production chain in many tropical and subtropical regions, where it is endemic. Host immunity against helminth infections is dependent on innate and acquired immune responses (STEAR & WAKELIN, 1998) and the interaction of these responses confers protection by inducing www.cbpv.org.br/rbpv. Eosinophilic inflammation, mastocytosis and activation of Th2 responses, with increased expression of interleukin (IL) -4, IL-5 and IL-13 in target tissues and production of IgE and IgA (MACKINNON et al, 2009, 2010). Animals susceptible to infection develop Th1 responses, with secretion of cytokines such as IL-2, interferon-gamma (IFNG) and tumor necrosis factor (GILL et al, 2000)

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