Abstract
BackgroundThe present study aimed to determine the expression of cytokines, which is associated with the immunological response of dairy goats against small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV). The study was conducted on 26 dairy goats in their second to sixth lactation, which were divided by breed and parity into two groups: SRLV naturally infected (N = 13) and non-infected (N = 13) animals. All goats in the study were asymptomatic. The milk and blood samples, which served as studied material were taken on days 7, 30, 120 and 240 of the lactation. The gene and protein expression of several cytokines was studied using Real-Time PCR and ELISA methods.ResultsINF-β and INF-γ expression was down-regulated in the milk somatic cells (MSC) of SRLV-infected goats. However, an increased concentration of INF-β was observed in the MSC in SRLV-infected goats, while INF-γ expression was not observed in both SRLV-infected and non-infected animals The SRLV-infected goats also displayed decreased expression of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6 and INF-γ genes in the blood leukocytes,with IL-1α, IL-1β and IL-6 protein levels also being decreased in the sera. TNF-α was the only gene that demonstrated increased expression in both the MSC and the blood of infected animals; however, no such overexpression was observed at the protein level.ConclusionsSRLV probably influences the immune system of infected animals by deregulating of the expression of cytokines. Further, epigenetic studies may clarify the mechanisms by which SRLV regulates the gene and protein expression of the host.
Highlights
The present study aimed to determine the expression of cytokines, which is associated with the immunological response of dairy goats against small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV)
In addition interleukin 16 (IL-16), a proinflammatory cytokine produced by macrophages, among others, displays increased expression in the blood of SRLV-infected goats; the authors suggested that increased IL-16 expression during SRLV infection may inhibit viral integration
In another study [9], the expression of the gamma interferon (IFN-γ), interleukin 2 (IL-2) and interleukin 4 (IL-4) genes of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from Saanen goats was evaluated by semi quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR; the goats had previously been experimentally infected with gp135 surface protein (SU) purified from SRLV [9]
Summary
The present study aimed to determine the expression of cytokines, which is associated with the immunological response of dairy goats against small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV). A key role in the cellular response to pathogens is played by macrophages: antigen-presenting cells that produce cytokines such as interferon gamma (IFNγ) [5], interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) [6, 7], which are essential components of the antiviral immune defense. In addition interleukin 16 (IL-16), a proinflammatory cytokine produced by macrophages, among others, displays increased expression (mRNA and protein) in the blood of SRLV-infected goats; the authors suggested that increased IL-16 expression during SRLV infection may inhibit viral integration. In another study [9], the expression of the gamma interferon (IFN-γ), interleukin 2 (IL-2) and interleukin 4 (IL-4) genes of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from Saanen goats was evaluated by semi quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR; the goats had previously been experimentally infected with gp135 surface protein (SU) purified from SRLV [9]. While IFN-γ and IL-4 expression of the SU-responsive PBMC cells showed differences in lymphokine balance, which was associated with the disease status between asymptomatic and arthritic, no such change in IL-2 gene expression was observed
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