Indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase 1 mediated alterations in the functionality of immune cells, deciphers the pregnancy outcomes in crossbred dairy cows

Abstract

Pregnancy establishment in bovines requires maternal immune cell modulation. Present study investigated possible role of immunosuppressive indolamine-2, 3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) enzyme in the alteration of neutrophil (NEUT) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) functionality of crossbred cows. Blood was collected from non-pregnant (NP) and pregnant (P) cows, followed by isolation of NEUT and PBMCs. Plasma pro-inflammatory (IFNγ and TNFα) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10) were estimated by ELISA and analysis of IDO1 gene in NEUT and PBMCs by RT-qPCR. Neutrophil functionality was assessed by chemotaxis, measuring activity of myeloperoxidase and β-D glucuronidase enzyme and evaluating nitric oxide production. Changes in PBMCs functionality was determined by transcriptional expression of pro-inflammatory (IFNγ, TNFα) and anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-4, IL-10, TGFβ1) genes. Significantly elevated (P < 0.05) anti-inflammatory cytokines, increased IDO1 expression, reduced NEUT velocity, MPO activity and NO production observed only in P cows. Significantly higher (P < 0.05) expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines and TNFα genes were observed in PBMCs. Study highlights possible role of IDO1 in modulating the immune cell and cytokine activity during early pregnancy and may be targeted as early pregnancy biomarkers.