Abstract
The basic information dealing with the anatomy ofthe ferret's immune system, cross-reactivity oftheferret leukocytes with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies invitro and immune response tothe mitogens and various infections are presented. The leukocyte numbers inthe peripheral blood inthe ferrets are lower compared toother species and only one subclass ofIgG has been identified inferrets sofar. Lymphocytes make up 12-67% ofall theleukocytes inthe peripheral blood ofthe healthy adult ferrets. Lymphocyte subpopulations are similar toother mammals and include T-and B-lymphocytes. T-lymphocytes differentiate into helper (Th) lymphocytes and cytotoxic (Tc) lymphocytes. Currently, ferret granulocytes (CD11), B-lymphocytes (CD79α), T-lymphocytes(CD3), Th-lymphocytes (CD3, CD4), Tc-lymphocytes (CD3, CD8), and CD30, CD45 subpopulations are detected withtheuse ofanumber ofpolyclonal aswell aswith monoclonal antibodies. Inalymphocyte transformation assay, themitogen response ofthe peripheral blood mononuclear cells toconcanavalinA(ConA), phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) isthe greatest atday2, 2 and 3, respectively. Serious lymphopenia isobservedinferrets during adistemper infection. Asignificant decrease inthe lymphocyte transformation activity isobserved onday5 and reaches amaximal decrease ondays 8-11, with full recovery ondays 23-30 after theinoculation oflaboratory ferrets with the distemper virus. Ferrets have also been used instudies related tothe function oftheimmune system inHelicobacter pylori infections, Crohn's disease and bronchial asthma.
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