Porcine Immune Response Research Articles

Generation and characterization of genetically stable heterohybridomas producing foot-and-mouth disease virus-specific porcine monoclonal antibodies

This report covers the methodology for generation of stable heterohybridoma clones producing Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) reactive porcine monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Swine received five inoculations of an inactivated O1 Manisa FMDV vaccine prior to the harvest of splenocytes. Due to the lack of a species-specific hybridoma fusion partner, the Sp2/0 murine myeloma cell line was utilized for the formation of porcine-murine heterohybridoma clones. Twenty-nine FMDV-reactive parental clones were generated. Following sub-cloning and monitoring of reactivity over 20 serial passages, eleven subclones derived from unique parental origins were characterized and are reported herein.This methodology demonstrated the production of porcine mAbs by fusion of porcine splenocytes from immunized pigs with murine myeloma cells to generate heterohybridomas. The porcine immune response may differ from the murine immune response in relation to recognized epitopes. Therefore, application of this methodology may provide valuable resources for swine immunology and enhance the understanding of the mechanisms for antibody based protection from diseases in swine.

Potentiation of IL-4 Signaling by Retinoic Acid in Intestinal Epithelial Cells and Macrophages-Mechanisms and Targets.

We previously demonstrated that IL4, IL13, CLCA1, and CCL26 mRNA were significantly upregulated in the lungs of pigs given a low dose of all trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) and infected with Ascaris suum. We also demonstrated that in vitro ATRA induced a state of partial alternative activation in porcine macrophages (Mφs) and amplified certain aspects of M2a activation induced by IL-4. Given these results, we tested the effect of ATRA on IL-4 responses in two porcine intestinal epithelial cell lines, IPEC1 and IPEC-J2 and observed that ATRA increased mRNA for the IL-4 receptor alpha chain. ATRA also increased IL-4 induced phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) and mRNA expression of the chloride channel, calcium activated, family member 1 (CLCA1), important for mucus formation, and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 26 (CCL26), a potent eosinophil chemoattractant. We extended these findings to human Mφ THP-1 cells and showed that ATRA synergistically increased IL-4–induced CCL2, CCL13, and CCL26 mRNA and protein levels. Transglutaminase 2 mRNA, protein, and enzyme activity were synergistically induced in THP-1 cells pretreated with ATRA and then treated with IL-4, thus, ATRA increased signaling in response to IL-4 in porcine epithelial cells and porcine and human Mφs. Given the prevalence of allergic and parasitic diseases worldwide and the close similarities in the porcine and human immune responses, these findings have important implications for the nutritional regulation of allergic inflammation at mucosal surfaces.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Detection of Serum or Mucosal Isotype-Specific IgG and IgA Whole-Virus Antibody to Influenza A Virus in Swine.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays can be used to detect isotype-specific anti-influenza antibodies in biological samples to characterize the porcine immune response to influenza A virus (IAV). The isotype antibody assay is based on an indirect ELISA using whole influenza virus as antigen and commercial antibodies directed against porcine IgG and IgA. Samples such as serum, nasal wash, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid allow for evaluation of systemic, upper, and lower respiratory tract mucosal antibody responses, respectively. The isotype ELISA assay is performed in a 96-well format using IAV test antigen and anti-swine IgG or IgA detection antibodies conjugated to an enzyme that catalyze a color change reaction. The optical density of the sample is measured using an automated plate reader. The assay is useful to characterize the IgG or IgA immune response to challenge or vaccination against specific IAV isolates in different compartments of the immune system.

Porcine Invariant Natural Killer T Cells: Functional Profiling and Dynamics in Steady State and Viral Infections.

Pigs are important livestock and comprehensive understanding of their immune responses in infections is critical to improve vaccines and therapies. Moreover, similarities between human and swine physiology suggest that pigs are a superior animal model for immunological studies. However, paucity of experimental tools for a systematic analysis of the immune responses in pigs represent a major disadvantage. To evaluate the pig as a biomedical model and additionally expand the knowledge of rare immune cell populations in swine, we established a multicolor flow cytometry analysis platform of surface marker expression and cellular responses for porcine invariant Natural Killer T cells (iNKT). In humans, iNKT cells are among the first line defenders in various tissues, respond to CD1d-restricted antigens and become rapidly activated. Naïve porcine iNKT cells were CD3+/CD4−/CD8+ or CD3+/CD4−/CD8− and displayed an effector- or memory-like phenotype (CD25+/ICOS+/CD5hi/CD45RA−/CCR7 ± /CD27+). Based on their expression of the transcription factors T bet and the iNKT cell-specific promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger protein (PLZF), porcine iNKT cells were differentiated into functional subsets. Analogous to human iNKT cells, in vitro stimulation of porcine leukocytes with the CD1d ligand α-galactosylceramide resulted in rapid iNKT cell proliferation, evidenced by an increase in frequency and Ki-67 expression. Moreover, this approach revealed CD25, CD5, ICOS, and the major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II) as activation markers on porcine iNKT cells. Activated iNKT cells also expressed interferon-γ, upregulated perforin expression, and displayed degranulation. In steady state, iNKT cell frequency was highest in newborn piglets and decreased with age. Upon infection with two viruses of high relevance to swine and humans, iNKT cells expanded. Animals infected with African swine fever virus displayed an increase of iNKT cell frequency in peripheral blood, regional lymph nodes, and lungs. During Influenza A virus infection, iNKT cell percentage increased in blood, lung lymph nodes, and broncho-alveolar lavage. Our in-depth characterization of porcine iNKT cells contributes to a better understanding of porcine immune responses, thereby facilitating the design of innovative interventions against infectious diseases. Moreover, we provide new evidence that endorses the suitability of the pig as a biomedical model for iNKT cell research.

The regulatory actions of retinoic acid on M2 polarization of porcine macrophages

We previously demonstrated that the most bioactive vitamin A metabolite, all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), increased T helper 2-associated responses induced in pigs by infection with the parasitic nematode Ascaris suum We also showed that ATRA potentiated the mRNA expression of several IL-4 induced chemokines (chemokine (CC motif) ligand 11 [(CCL11), CCL17, CCL22 and CCL26] associated with alternative activation (M2a) in porcine macrophages in vitro. Herein, several mechanisms whereby ATRA affects IL-4 signaling are profiled using large-scale real time PCR and RNA-Seq analysis. Twenty-three genes associated with M2a markers in other species were independently upregulated by both IL-4 and ATRA, including the adenosine receptor A2B (ADORA2B), cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 2 (CYSLTR2) and the vitamin D receptor (VDR). ATRA synergistically enhanced IL-4 up-regulation of Hepatitis A virus cellular receptor 2 (HAVCR2) and transglutaminase 2 (TGM2) and further repressed IL-4 down-regulated CD163 and Cytochrome b-245, beta polypeptide (CYBB) mRNA. Macrophages treated with ATRA exhibited a dose-dependent reduction in phagocytosis of opsonized Staphylococcus aureus. In addition, the combination of IL-4 and ATRA up-regulated the anti-inflammatory protein, IL-1R antagonist (IL1RN) and TGM2. These data indicate that ATRA induces a state of partial alternative activation in porcine macrophages, and amplifies certain aspects of M2a activation induced by IL-4. Given the prevalence of allergic and parasitic diseases worldwide and the close similarities in the porcine and human immune responses, these findings have important implications for the nutritional regulation of allergic inflammation at mucosal surfaces.

The regulatory actions of retinoic acid on M2a macrophage polarization of porcine and human myeloid-derived cells.

Abstract Previously we demonstrated that the most bioactive vitamin A metabolite, all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) increased T helper 2-associated responses induced by Ascaris infection of pigs. We also demonstrated, on a limited basis, that ATRA potentiated the mRNA expression of several IL-4 induced chemokines (chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 11 ((CCL11), CCL17, CCL22 and CCL26) associated with alternative activation (M2a) in porcine macrophages in vitro. Herein, we describe several mechanisms whereby ATRA affects IL-4 signaling and extend these findings to porcine monocytes/macrophages and human macrophages. In human THP-1 cells, IL-4 exposure led to an increase in the mRNA for the M2a macrophage-associated chemokines, CCL11, CCL13, CCL17, CCL18, CCL22 and CCL26 as well as the M2a-associated surface markers, CD206, CD209 and CD274. ATRA synergistically increased IL-4–induced CCL2, CCL13, CCL18, CCL22 and CCL26 mRNA and CCL13, CCL18 and CCL26 protein levels while having no effect or slightly down regulating MRC1, CD209 and CD274 mRNA expression. The effects of ATRA on mRNA levels were greater at 24 compared to 48 hrs; however, greater differences in protein levels were observed at 48 hrs for CCL13, CCL18 and CCL26. In contrast to porcine monocytes and macrophages, ATRA decreased IL-4 induced CCL17 mRNA and protein expression in THP-1 cells. Thus, in porcine monocytes and macrophages and in human macrophages, ATRA selectively increased signaling in response to IL-4. Given the prevalence of allergic and parasitic diseases worldwide and the close similarities in the porcine and human immune responses, these findings have important implications for the nutritional regulation of allergic inflammation at mucosal surfaces.

Salmonella DIVA vaccine reduces disease, colonization and shedding due to virulent S. Typhimurium infection in swine.

PurposeNon-host-adapted Salmonella serovars, including the common human food-borne pathogen Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium), are opportunistic pathogens that can colonize food-producing animals without causing overt disease. Interventions against Salmonella are needed to enhance food safety, protect animal health and allow the differentiation of infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA).MethodologyAn attenuated S. Typhimurium DIVA vaccine (BBS 866) was characterized for the protection of pigs following challenge with virulent S. Typhimurium. The porcine transcriptional response to BBS 866 vaccination was evaluated. RNA-Seq analysis was used to compare gene expression between BBS 866 and its parent; phenotypic assays were performed to confirm transcriptional differences observed between the strains.ResultsVaccination significantly reduced fever and interferon-gamma (IFNγ) levels in swine challenged with virulent S. Typhimurium compared to mock-vaccinated pigs. Salmonella faecal shedding and gastrointestinal tissue colonization were significantly lower in vaccinated swine. RNA-Seq analysis comparing BBS 866 to its parental S. Typhimurium strain demonstrated reduced expression of the genes involved in cellular invasion and bacterial motility; decreased invasion of porcine-derived IPEC-J2 cells and swimming motility for the vaccine strain was consistent with the RNA-Seq analysis. Numerous membrane proteins were differentially expressed, which was an anticipated gene expression pattern due to the targeted deletion of several regulatory genes in the vaccine strain. RNA-Seq analysis indicated that genes involved in the porcine immune and inflammatory response were differentially regulated at 2 days post-vaccination compared to pre-vaccination.ConclusionEvaluation of the S. Typhimurium DIVA vaccine indicates that vaccination will provide both swine health and food safety benefits.

Characterization of miRNAs involved in response to poly(I:C) in porcine airway epithelial cells.

MicroRNAs (miRNA) have been implicated in a variety of pathological conditions including infectious diseases. Knowledge of the miRNAs affected by poly(I:C), a synthetic analog of viral double-stranded RNA, in porcine airway epithelial cells (PAECs) contributes to understanding the mechanisms of swine viral respiratory diseases, which bring enormous economic loss worldwide every year. In this study, we used high throughput sequencing to profile miRNA expression in PAECs treated with poly(I:C) as compared to the untreated control. This approach revealed 23 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs), five of which have not been implicated in viral infection before. Nineteen of the 23 miRNAs were down-regulated including members of the miR-17-92 cluster, a well-known polycistronic oncomir and extensively involved in viral infection in humans. Target genes of DEMs, predicted using bioinformatic methods and validated by luciferase reporter analysis on two representative DEMs, were significantly enriched in several pathways including transforming growth factor-β signaling. A large quantity of sequence variations (isomiRs) were found including a substitution at position 5, which was verified to redirect miRNAs to a new spectrum of targets by luciferase reporter assay together with bioinformatics analysis. Twelve novel porcine miRNAs conserved in other species were identified by homology analysis together with cloning verification. Furthermore, the expression analysis revealed the potential importance of three novel miRNAs in porcine immune response to viruses. Overall, our data contribute to clarifying the mechanisms underlying the host immune response against respiratory viruses in pigs, and enriches the repertoire of porcine miRNAs.

Genetic Diversity and mRNA Expression of Porcine MHC Class I Chain-Related 2 (SLA-MIC2) Gene and Development of a High-Resolution Typing Method.

The genetic structure and function of MHC class I chain-related (MIC) genes in the pig genome have not been well characterized, and show discordance in available data. Therefore, we have experimentally characterized the exon-intron structure and functional copy expression pattern of the pig MIC gene, SLA-MIC2. We have also studied the genetic diversity of SLA-MIC2 from seven different breeds using a high-resolution genomic sequence-based typing (GSBT) method. Our results showed that the SLA-MIC2 gene has a similar molecular organization as the human and cattle orthologs, and is expressed in only a few tissues including the small intestine, lung, and heart. A total of fifteen SLA-MIC2 alleles were identified from typing 145 animals, ten of which were previously unreported. Our analysis showed that the previously reported and tentatively named SLA-MIC2*05, 07, and 01 alleles occurred most frequently. The observed heterozygosity varied from 0.26 to 0.73 among breeds. The number of alleles of the SLA-MIC2 gene in pigs is somewhat lower compared to the number of alleles of the porcine MHC class I and II genes; however, the level of heterozygosity was similar. Our results indicate the comprehensiveness of using genomic DNA-based typing for the systemic study of the SLA-MIC2 gene. The method developed for this study, as well as the detailed information that was obtained, could serve as fundamental tools for understanding the influence of the SLA-MIC2 gene on porcine immune responses.

Immune and inflammatory response in pigs during acute influenza caused by H1N1 swine influenza virus.

Swine influenza (SI) is an acute respiratory disease of pigs, caused by swine influenza virus (SIV). Little is known about the inflammatory response in the lung during acute SI and its correlation with clinical signs or lung pathology. Moreover, until now there has been a limited amount of data available on the relationship between the concentrations of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the lungs and the serum concentration of acute-phase proteins (APPs) in SIV-infected pigs. In the present study, the porcine inflammatory and immune responses during acute influenza caused by H1N1 SIV (SwH1N1) were studied. Nine pigs were infected intratracheally, and five served as controls. Antibodies against SIV were measured by haemagglutination inhibition assay, and the influenza-virus-specific T-cell response was measured using a proliferation assay. C-reactive protein (CRP), haptoglobin (Hp), serum amyloid A (SAA), and pig major acute-phase protein (Pig-MAP) the concentrations in serum and concentration of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α and IFN-γ in lung tissues were measured using commercial ELISAs.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of serum or mucosal isotype-specific IgG and IgA whole-virus antibody to influenza A virus in swine.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays can be used to detect isotype-specific anti-influenza antibodies in biological samples to characterize the porcine immune response to influenza A virus. The isotype antibody assay is based on an indirect ELISA using whole influenza virus as antigen and detection antibodies directed against porcine IgG and IgA. Samples such as serum, nasal wash, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid allow for evaluation of systemic, upper, and lower respiratory tract mucosal antibody responses, respectively. The isotype ELISA assay is performed in a 96-well format using anti-swine detection antibodies conjugated to an enzyme that catalyze a color change reaction. The optical density of the sample is measured using an automated plate reader. The assay is useful to characterize the IgG or the IgA response to challenge or vaccination against specific influenza virus isolates in different compartments of the immune system.

Proteomic analysis of intestinal mucosa responses to Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium in naturally infected pig

Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium (S. typhimurium) is one of the most frequent Salmonella serotypes isolated from European pigs. Despite the advances in understanding the mechanisms involved in host-pathogen interactions and host cell responses to S. typhimurium, the global change that occurs in naturally exposed populations has been poorly characterized. Here, we present a proteomics study on intestinal mucosa of pigs naturally infected with S. typhimurium, in order to better understand the pathogenesis of salmonellosis and the pathways which might be affected after infection. Samples were analyzed by 2D-DIGE and 44 different proteins exhibited statistically significant differences. The data set was analyzed by employing the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis and the physiological function most significantly perturbed were immunological and infectious disease, cellular assembly and organization and metabolism. The pathways implicated in the porcine immune response to S. typhimurium were gluconeogenesis and Rho GDI/RhoA signaling, and our results suggest that keratins and the intermediate filaments could play an important role in the damage of the mucosa and in the success of infection. The role of these findings in salmonellosis has been discussed, as well as the importance of analyzing naturally infected animals to have a complete picture of the infection. Also, we compared the results found in this work with those obtained in a similar study using experimentally infected animals.

Structural and functional annotation of the porcine immunome.

BackgroundThe domestic pig is known as an excellent model for human immunology and the two species share many pathogens. Susceptibility to infectious disease is one of the major constraints on swine performance, yet the structure and function of genes comprising the pig immunome are not well-characterized. The completion of the pig genome provides the opportunity to annotate the pig immunome, and compare and contrast pig and human immune systems.ResultsThe Immune Response Annotation Group (IRAG) used computational curation and manual annotation of the swine genome assembly 10.2 (Sscrofa10.2) to refine the currently available automated annotation of 1,369 immunity-related genes through sequence-based comparison to genes in other species. Within these genes, we annotated 3,472 transcripts. Annotation provided evidence for gene expansions in several immune response families, and identified artiodactyl-specific expansions in the cathelicidin and type 1 Interferon families. We found gene duplications for 18 genes, including 13 immune response genes and five non-immune response genes discovered in the annotation process. Manual annotation provided evidence for many new alternative splice variants and 8 gene duplications. Over 1,100 transcripts without porcine sequence evidence were detected using cross-species annotation. We used a functional approach to discover and accurately annotate porcine immune response genes. A co-expression clustering analysis of transcriptomic data from selected experimental infections or immune stimulations of blood, macrophages or lymph nodes identified a large cluster of genes that exhibited a correlated positive response upon infection across multiple pathogens or immune stimuli. Interestingly, this gene cluster (cluster 4) is enriched for known general human immune response genes, yet contains many un-annotated porcine genes. A phylogenetic analysis of the encoded proteins of cluster 4 genes showed that 15% exhibited an accelerated evolution as compared to 4.1% across the entire genome.ConclusionsThis extensive annotation dramatically extends the genome-based knowledge of the molecular genetics and structure of a major portion of the porcine immunome. Our complementary functional approach using co-expression during immune response has provided new putative immune response annotation for over 500 porcine genes. Our phylogenetic analysis of this core immunome cluster confirms rapid evolutionary change in this set of genes, and that, as in other species, such genes are important components of the pig’s adaptation to pathogen challenge over evolutionary time. These comprehensive and integrated analyses increase the value of the porcine genome sequence and provide important tools for global analyses and data-mining of the porcine immune response.

Tissues Expression, Polymorphisms Identification of FcRn Gene and Its Relationship with Serum Classical Swine Fever Virus Antibody Level in Pigs.

Neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) gene encodes a receptor that binds the Fc region of monomeric immunoglobulin G (IgG) and is responsible for IgG transport and stabilization. In this report, the 8,900 bp porcine FcRn genomic DNA structure was identified and putative FcRn protein included 356 amino acids. Alignment and phylogenetic analysis of the porcine FcRn amino acid sequences with their homologies of other species showed high identity. Tissues expression of FcRn mRNA was detected by real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR), the results revealed FcRn expressed widely in ten analyzed tissues. One single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (HQ026019:g.8526 C>T) in exon6 region of porcine FcRn gene was demonstrated by DNA sequencing analysis. A further analysis of SNP genotypes associated with serum Classical Swine Fever Virus antibody (anti-CSFV) concentration was performed in three pig populations including Large White, Landrace and Songliao Black pig (a Chinese indigenous breed). Our results of statistical analysis showed that the SNP had a highly significant association with the level of anti-CSFV antibody (At d 20; At d 35) in serum (p = 0.008; p = 0.0001). Investigation of expression and polymorphisms of the porcine FcRn gene will help us in further understanding the molecular basis of the antibody regulation pathway in the porcine immune response. All these results indicate that FcRn gene might be regarded as a molecular marker for genetic selection of anti-CSFV antibody level in pig disease resistance breeding programmes.

Tissues Expression, Polymorphisms of IFN Regulatory Factor 6 (IRF6) Gene and Their Associated with Immune Traits in Three Pig Populations.

Interferon regulatory factor 6 (IRF6) gene is a member of the IRF-family, and plays functionally diverse roles in the regulation of the immune system. In this report, the 13,720 bp porcine IRF6 genomic DNA structure was firstly identified with a putative IRF6 protein of 467 amino acids. Alignment and phylogenetic analysis of the porcine IRF6 amino acid sequences with their homologies to other species showed high identity (over 96%). Tissues expression of IRF6 mRNA was observed by RT-PCR, the results revealed IRF6 expressed widely in eight tissues. One SNP (HQ026023:1383 G>C) in exon7 and two SNPs (HQ026023:130 G>A; 232 C>T) in the 5 ′ promoter region of porcine IRF6 gene were demonstrated b y DNA sequencing analysis. A further analysis of SNP genotypes associated with immune traits including IFN-γ and IL10 concentrations in serum was carried out in three pig populations including Large White, Landraces and Songliao Black pig (a Chinese indigenous breed). The results showed that the SNP (HQ026023:1383 G>C) was significantly associated with the level of IFN-γ (d 20) in serum (p = 0.038) and the ratio of IFN-γ to IL10 (d 20) in serum (p = 0.041); The other two SNPs (HQ026023:130 G>A; 232 C>T) were highly significantly associated with IL10 level in serum both at the day 20 (p = 0.005; p = 0.001) and the day 35 (p = 0.004; p = 0.006). Identification of the porcine IRF6 gene will help our further understanding of the molecular basis of the IFN regulation pathway in the porcine immune response. All these results should indicate that the IRF6 gene can be regarded as a molecular marker associated with the IL10 level in serum and used for genetic selection in the pig breeding.

Effects of zearalenone and its derivatives on porcine immune response

Zearalenone (ZEN), a mycotoxin produced by several Fusarium spp., is most commonly found as a contaminant in stored grain and has chronic estrogenic effects on mammals. In this in vitro study, we compared the effects of zearalenone (ZEN) and some of its derivatives: α-zearalenol (α-ZOL), β-zearalenol (β-ZOL), and zearalanone (ZAN) on several peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) parameters: cytotoxicity, proliferation, as well as antibody and cytokine synthesis. The amounts of toxins necessary to inhibit viability, in a dehydrogenase enzyme activity assay (MTT test), by 50% were: 22.7μM for ZEN, 29.1μM for α-ZOL, 17.3μM for β-ZOL and 26.3μM for ZAN. The administration of 10μM toxin induced a decrease in the ConA stimulated proliferation of PBMC by 19.6% for ZAN, 45.4% for ZEN, 43.6% for α-ZOL and 85.2% for β-ZOL, when compared to the control stimulated cells. Also, ZEN and its metabolites at concentrations higher than 5μM induced a significant decrease of the IgG, IgA or IgM levels. Concentrations of 5 and 10μM of ZEN and ZAN significantly decreased the TNF-α synthesis in the supernatant of the stimulated cells; 10μM of ZAN also decreased IL-8 synthesis. In conclusion, our results show that ZEN and ZEN derivatives altered several parameters of the humoral and cellular immune response.Therefore, our results are clinically relevant as ZEN and its metabolites are frequent contaminants of animal feed and we have shown that intoxicated animals are incapable of inducing an adequate immune response.

Practical immunoregulation: Neonatal immune response variation and prophylaxis of experimental food allergy in pigs

The importance of environment in immune response is identified and the increase in prevalence of allergic, autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases reviewed. In particular, altered opportunity to acquire evolutionarily anticipated commensal microbiota is associated through the “hygiene hypothesis” with defective developmental and response signals to the innate and adaptive immune systems. Evidence of the detrimental effects of such environments is reviewed as is evidence for remediation using controlled exposure to bacteria or their active components such as LPS or peptidoglycan ligands for TLR and NOD-like receptors. Occurrence of major environmentally associated changes in porcine immune response phenotype are described. The prophylactic effects of heat-killed Escherichia coli given intramuscularly or of oral Lactococcus lactis on experimental ovomucoid-induced allergy in piglets are described in the context of altered immune response bias favouring reduced type-2 phenotypes. The high frequency of clinical tolerance to developing allergic signs even in the face of classical sensitization indicates possible function in this pig model of regulatory effectors such as Treg cells.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a porcine Fc gamma RIIb sub-isoform(FcγRIIb1)

Receptors for the Fc fragment of IgG (FcγRs) constitute one of the main effector mechanisms through which IgG immune complexes exert their action. Four FcγRs, FcγRI (CD64) with high affinity, FcγRI with intermediate affinity, FcγRII (CD32) and FcγRIII (CD16) with low affinity, have been identified. There are three FcγRII isoforms (activating FcγRIIa and FcγRIIc, and inhibiting FcγRIIb) existing in humans, one isoform in mice (inhibiting FcγRIIb), and two isoforms in cattle (inhibiting FcγRIIb, activating FcγRIIc). Two splice sub-isoforms of FcγRIIb, FcγRIIb1(b1) and FcγRIIb2(b2), have been identified in humans, mice and cattle, however, few of FcγRIIb sub-isoforms have been investigated in pig. In this study, we describe the molecular cloning, sequencing and characterization of a porcine FcγRIIb sub-isoform, FcγRIIb1. The cDNA encoding porcine FcγRIIb1 was isolated from peripheral blood leucocytes RNA with RT-PCR. The porcine FcγRIIb1 cDNA contains a 951 bp open-reading frame, encoding a 316 amino acid transmembrane glycoprotein composed of two immunoglobulin (Ig)-like extracellular domains, a transmembrane region and a cytoplasmic tail with an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibiting motif (ITIM). The porcine FcγRIIb1 shares 98.3% homology and has a 19 amino acid in-frame insertion in cytoplasmic tail when compared with amino acid sequence of DQ026064. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that the glycoprotein encoded by the porcine FcγRIIb1 cDNA was expressed in the stable transfected COS-7 cells, and an immunoglobulin-binding assay showed that it had binding activity for IgG immune complexes. Identification of the porcine FcγRIIb1 will help our understanding of the molecular basis of IgG–FcγR interaction in the porcine immune response.

Methods for transcriptomic analyses of the porcine host immune response: Application to Salmonella infection using microarrays

Technological developments in both the collection and analysis of molecular genetic data over the past few years have provided new opportunities for an improved understanding of the global response to pathogen exposure. Such developments are particularly dramatic for scientists studying the pig, where tools to measure the expression of tens of thousands of transcripts, as well as unprecedented data on the porcine genome sequence, have combined to expand our abilities to elucidate the porcine immune system. In this review, we describe these recent developments in the context of our work using primarily microarrays to explore gene expression changes during infection of pigs by Salmonella. Thus while the focus is not a comprehensive review of all possible approaches, we provide links and information on both the tools we use as well as alternatives commonly available for transcriptomic data collection and analysis of porcine immune responses. Through this review, we expect readers will gain an appreciation for the necessary steps to plan, conduct, analyze and interpret the data from transcriptomic analyses directly applicable to their research interests.

Response of Porcine Intestinal In Vitro Organ Culture Tissues following Exposure to Lactobacillus plantarum JC1 and Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium SL1344

The development of novel intervention strategies for the control of zoonoses caused by bacteria such as Salmonella spp. in livestock requires appropriate experimental models to assess their suitability. Here, a novel porcine intestinal in vitro organ culture (IVOC) model utilizing cell crown (CC) technology (CCIVOC) (Scaffdex) was developed. The CCIVOC model was employed to investigate the characteristics of association of S. enterica serovar Typhimurium strain SL1344 with porcine intestinal tissue following exposure to a Lactobacillus plantarum strain. The association of bacteria to host cells was examined by light microscopy and electron microscopy (EM) after appropriate treatments and staining, while changes in the proteome of porcine jejunal tissues were investigated using quantitative label-free proteomics. Exposure of porcine intestinal mucosal tissues to L. plantarum JC1 did not reduce the numbers of S. Typhimurium bacteria associating to the tissues but was associated with significant (P < 0.005) reductions in the percentages of areas of intestinal IVOC tissues giving positive staining results for acidic mucins. Conversely, the quantity of neutrally charged mucins present within the goblet cells of the IVOC tissues increased significantly (P < 0.05). In addition, tubulin-α was expressed at high levels following inoculation of jejunal IVOC tissues with L. plantarum. Although L. plantarum JC1 did not reduce the association of S. Typhimurium strain SL1344 to the jejunal IVOC tissues, detection of increased acidic mucin secretion, host cytoskeletal rearrangements, and proteins involved in the porcine immune response demonstrated that this strain of L. plantarum may contribute to protecting the pig from infections by S. Typhimurium or other pathogens.