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Journal of Dairy Science Sep 2022It is necessary for the dairy industry to reduce calf morbidity and mortality, and the reliance on antibiotics to treat sick calves, to address the growing concern...
It is necessary for the dairy industry to reduce calf morbidity and mortality, and the reliance on antibiotics to treat sick calves, to address the growing concern regarding antibiotic resistant bacteria. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effect that feeding dairy calves medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) has on growth performance and health, and the secondary objective was to evaluate the effect of MCFA on energy status around weaning and the adaptive immune response following a vaccine challenge. Thirty-three Holstein bull calves (5 ± 1.6 d of age) were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments. Control (CON) calves were fed milk replacer with no C8:0 or C10:0 oil added and MCFA calves were fed milk replacer with 0.5% of a combination of C8:0 or C10:0 oil added. Body weight and average daily gain were measured weekly. Feed efficiency (gain/feed) and the change in body condition score, hip width, hip height, heart girth, and paunch girth were calculated for the duration of the study. Fecal scores were recorded daily and all medical treatments were documented for the duration of the trial. On d 42, 49, and 56 of the study, a serum sample was collected from each calf and used to measure nonesterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyric acid, insulin, and glucose concentrations to evaluate energy status around weaning. A subset of 11 calves per treatment were enrolled in a vaccine challenge. At 21 ± 1.9 d of age (mean ± standard deviation) calves were vaccinated intramuscularly with 1 mL of endotoxin-free ovalbumin (OVA) mixed with aluminum hydroxide adjuvant. At 42 d of age (±1.9 d), blood samples were collected and used to analyze OVA-specific IgG and IgG, and calves were vaccinated a second time. At 56 d of age (±1.9 d), blood samples were collected to analyze IgG and IgG as well as IFN-γ and IL-4 secreted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) treated with OVA or phytohemagglutinin. Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design with repeated measures when applicable. A tendency for greater daily fecal score was observed for MCFA calves compared with CON. At d 42 of the study, nonesterified fatty acid concentrations were greater in CON calves compared with MCFA. At 42 and 56 d of age, anti-OVA IgG concentrations for CON and MCFA calves were greater than prevaccination samples. This study suggests that feeding MCFA to calves affects the energy status of calves around weaning and vaccinating dairy calves with ovalbumin combined with an aluminum hydroxide adjuvant is an effective way to evaluate the adaptive immune responses.
Topics: Aluminum Hydroxide; Animal Feed; Animals; Body Weight; Cattle; Diet; Fatty Acids; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; Immunity; Immunoglobulin G; Leukocytes, Mononuclear; Male; Ovalbumin; Weaning
PubMed: 35940917
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2021-21567 -
Scientific Reports Aug 2022Patterns of human immune responses to viruses and bacteria and how this impacts risk of infections or onset/exacerbation of chronic respiratory diseases are poorly...
Patterns of human immune responses to viruses and bacteria and how this impacts risk of infections or onset/exacerbation of chronic respiratory diseases are poorly understood. In a population-based birth cohort, we measured peripheral blood mononuclear cell responses (28 cytokines) to respiratory viruses and bacteria, Toll-like receptor ligands and phytohemagglutinin, in 307 children. Cytokine responses were highly variable with > 1000-fold differences between children. Machine learning revealed clear distinction between virus-associated and bacteria-associated stimuli. Cytokines clustered into three functional groups (anti-viral, pro-inflammatory and T-cell derived). To investigate mechanisms potentially explaining such variable responses, we investigated cytokine Quantitative Trait Loci (cQTLs) of IL-6 responses to bacteria and identified nine (eight novel) loci. Our integrative approach describing stimuli, cytokines and children as variables revealed robust immunologically and microbiologically plausible clustering, providing a framework for a greater understanding of host-responses to infection, including novel genetic associations with respiratory disease.
Topics: Bacteria; Child; Cytokines; Humans; Leukocytes, Mononuclear; Toll-Like Receptors; Viruses
PubMed: 35931775
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16509-4 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jul 2022Deficiencies in Mannosidase β (MANBA) are associated with neurological abnormalities and recurrent infections. The single nucleotide polymorphism located in the 3′UTR...
Deficiencies in Mannosidase β (MANBA) are associated with neurological abnormalities and recurrent infections. The single nucleotide polymorphism located in the 3′UTR of MANBA, rs7665090, was found to be associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) susceptibility. We aimed to study the functional impact of this polymorphism in lymphocytes isolated from MS patients and healthy controls. A total of 152 MS patients and 112 controls were genotyped for rs7665090. MANBA mRNA expression was quantified through qPCR and MANBA enzymatic activity was analyzed. Upon phytohemagglutinin stimulation, immune activation was evaluated by flow cytometry detection of CD69, endocytic function, and metabolic rates with Seahorse XFp Analyzer, and results were stratified by variation in rs7665090. A significantly reduced gene expression (p < 0.0001) and enzymatic activity (p = 0.018) of MANBA were found in lymphocytes of MS patients compared to those of controls. The rs7665090*GG genotype led to a significant β-mannosidase enzymatic deficiency correlated with lysosomal dysfunction, as well as decreased metabolic activation in lymphocytes of MS patients compared to those of rs7665090*GG controls. In contrast, lymphocytes of MS patients and controls carrying the homozygous AA genotype behaved similarly. Our work provides new evidence highlighting the impact of the MS-risk variant, rs7665090, and the role of MANBA in the immunopathology of MS.
Topics: Endocytosis; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genotype; Humans; Lymphocyte Activation; Lysosomes; Multiple Sclerosis; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; beta-Mannosidase; beta-Mannosidosis
PubMed: 35897697
DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158116 -
Journal of Veterinary Research Jun 2022Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin notably produced by and spp. fermentation extract (BSFE) contains specific enzymes which hydrolyse OTA. This study evaluated the...
INTRODUCTION
Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin notably produced by and spp. fermentation extract (BSFE) contains specific enzymes which hydrolyse OTA. This study evaluated the efficiency of BSFE in ameliorating the immunotoxic and nephrotoxic effects of OTA in broiler chickens.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Day-old broiler chicks were divided equally into four groups of ten: control, OTA (0.5 mg/kg feed), BSFE product (1 mL/L water) and OTA + BSFE at the same concentrations. The chicks were vaccinated against avian influenza, Newcastle disease, and infectious bronchitis, and lymphoproliferation was induced in all birds by phytohaemagglutinin-P (PHA-P). Serum samples were taken before sacrifice and organ tissue samples were taken after, in which renal function biomarkers were assayed and the presence of OTA residue was evaluated by high-performance thin-layer chromatography. Protein markers of apoptosis were determined by qPCR, and tissue lesions were examined histopathologically.
RESULTS
Exposure to OTA significantly decreased the antibody response to the vaccines and the lymphoproliferative response to PHA-P, and significantly elevated the renal function indicators: serum urea, uric acid and creatinine. It also induced oxidative stress (reduced catalase activity and glutathione concentration), lipid peroxidation (increased malondialdehyde content), apoptosis (increased and and decreased gene levels) and pathological lesions in kidney, bursa of Fabricius, spleen and thymus tissue. Residues of OTA were detected in the serum and tissue. BSFE mitigated most of these toxic effects.
CONCLUSION
BSFE counters OTA-induced immunotoxicity and nephrotoxicity because of its content of carboxypeptidase and protease enzymes.
PubMed: 35892096
DOI: 10.2478/jvetres-2022-0030 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2022Parasitic diseases, caused by intestinal helminths, remain a very serious problem in both human and veterinary medicine. While searching for new nematicides we examined...
Parasitic diseases, caused by intestinal helminths, remain a very serious problem in both human and veterinary medicine. While searching for new nematicides we examined a series of 1,2,4-triazole derivatives - obtained during reactions of -substituted amidrazones with itaconic anhydride. Two groups of compounds, - and - differed in the position of the double bond on the methacrylic acid moiety. The toxicity of derivatives - and the anti-inflammatory activity of and - were studied on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Antiproliferative activity of compounds and - was tested cytometrically in PBMC cultures stimulated by phytohemagglutinin. The influence of derivatives and - on the TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10 and IFN-γ production was determined by ELISA in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated PBMC cultures. Anthelmintic activity of compounds - was studied in the sp. nematodes model. Most compounds (-) proved to be non-toxic to human PBMC. Derivatives - showed anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the proliferation of lymphocytes. Moreover, compounds and - significantly reduced the production of TNF-α and derivatives - decreased the level of INF-γ. The strongest anti-inflammatory activity was observed for compound . Compounds and demonstrated anthelmintic activity higher than albendazole and may become promising candidates for anthelmintic drugs.
Topics: Anthelmintics; Anti-Infective Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Humans; Imidazoles; Leukocytes, Mononuclear; Sulfonamides; Thiophenes; Triazoles; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
PubMed: 35889357
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27144488 -
International Journal of Biological... Sep 2022The aim of our studies was to determine the influence of a low-frequency electromagnetic field (EMF) on the phagocytosis of latex beads (LBs) and the expression level of...
The aim of our studies was to determine the influence of a low-frequency electromagnetic field (EMF) on the phagocytosis of latex beads (LBs) and the expression level of proteins/genes in the human monocytic macrophage Mono Mac 6 (MM6) cell line in in vitro conditions. Before phagocytosis assay cells were pre-stimulated with infectious agents such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), or the proliferatory agent phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), and then exposed to EMF (30 mT, 7 Hz, 3 h). The expression of cytoplasmic proteins like iPLA, cPLA, iNOS, NLR3/4, and Hsp70 involved in the immune response pathways to phagocytosed particles were evaluated with the usage of the Western blot analysis. mRNA encoding the iNOS protein was detected by reverse transcription PCR method. The most meaningful changes were observed for PLA2 and NLC4 proteins level and between iNOS protein expression and mRNA encoding iNOS protein amount. The EMF exposure exerted the strongest effect on iNOS encoding mRNA in cells pre-stimulated with LPS or SEB and phagocytosing LBs. The influence of EMF on phagocytosis was experimentally proved for the first time and there is a need for further investigations in term of the usage of EMF as a prospect, supportive therapy.
Topics: Electromagnetic Fields; Humans; Lipopolysaccharides; Macrophages; Phagocytosis; RNA, Messenger
PubMed: 35841960
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.07.080 -
Frontiers in Nutrition 2022Although dairy intake has been shown to have a neutral or some beneficial effect on major cardiometabolic risk factors, the impact of dairy, and especially dairy fat, on...
Although dairy intake has been shown to have a neutral or some beneficial effect on major cardiometabolic risk factors, the impact of dairy, and especially dairy fat, on immune function remains to be investigated. To understand the effect of consuming dairy fat on cardiometabolic risk factors and immune function, we used an established low birthweight (LBW) swine model of diet-induced insulin resistance to compare high-fat and low-fat dairy products to a control high-fat diet (CHF). LBW piglets were randomized to consume one of the 3 experimental HF diets: (1) CHF, (2) CHF diet supplemented with 3 servings/day of high-fat dairy (HFDairy) and (3) CHF diet supplemented with 3 servings/day of low-fat dairy (LFDairy). As comparison groups, normal birthweight (NBW) piglets were fed a CHF (NBW-CHF) or standard pig grower diet (NBW-Chow). A total of 35 pigs completed the study and were fed for a total of 7 weeks, including 1 week of CHF transition diet. At 12 weeks of age, piglets were euthanized. Fasting blood and tissue samples were collected. cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulated with pokeweed (PWM), phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and phorbol myristate acetate-ionomycin (PMA-I) were assessed. As expected, LBW-CHF piglets showed early signs of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR, model = 0.08). Feeding high-fat dairy products improved fasting plasma glucose concentrations more than low-fat dairy compared to LBW-CHF ( < 0.05). Irrespective of fat content, dairy consumption had neutral effect on fasting lipid profile. We have also observed lower production of IL-2 after PWM and PHA stimulation as well as lower production of TNF-α and IFN-γ after PWM stimulation in LBW-CHF than in NBW-Chow (all, < 0.05), suggesting impaired T cell and antigen presenting cell function. While feeding high-fat dairy had minimal effect on immune function, feeding low-fat dairy significantly improved the production of IL-2, TNF-α and IFN-γ after PWM stimulation, IL-2 and IFN-γ after PHA stimulation as well as TNF-α after PMA-I stimulation compared to LBW-CHF (all, < 0.05). These data provide novel insights into the role of dairy consumption in counteracting some obesity-related cardiometabolic and immune perturbations.
PubMed: 35782930
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.923120 -
Anais Da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias 2022The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary zinc (Zn) levels on growth performance, carcass characteristic, nutrient digestibility, jejunum...
The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary zinc (Zn) levels on growth performance, carcass characteristic, nutrient digestibility, jejunum architecture and immune responses in broiler chickens fed wheat-soy diets. In addition the Zn requirement to optimize responses were estimated through regression models. A total, of 250 day-old male Ross-308 broiler chicks were randomly allocated to a completely randomized design experiment with five dietary treatments of five replicates of 10 birds each. Birds were fed diets containing 30, 70, 110, 150, and 190 mg/kg Zn from 1 to 35 days of age. A Zn level of 70 mg/kg diet was adequate to acquire typical growth performance, the nutrient digestibility, and carcass yield. First antibody titres response to sheep red blood cell inoculation, cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity elicited by phytohemagglutinin-P intradermal injection increased linearly by the increase in dietary Zn level. The Zn requirement estimated by the quadratic and linear broken-line models was varied between 63-70 mg/kg to optimize growth performance criteria. It is concluded the basal Zn concentration in wheat-soy diet is inadequate to fulfill the broiler chickens genetic potential in growth and a minimum of 70 mg/kg dietary Zn concentration is suggested to optimize broiler chickens performance.
Topics: Animal Feed; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; Chickens; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Immunity; Jejunum; Male; Nutrients; Sheep; Triticum; Zinc
PubMed: 35703687
DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202220200266 -
Allergy Nov 2022Antibody-based tests are available for measuring SARS-CoV-2-specific immune responses but fast T-cell assays remain scarce. Robust T cell-based tests are needed to...
Combined assessment of S- and N-specific IL-2 and IL-13 secretion and CD69 neo-expression for discrimination of post-infection and post-vaccination cellular SARS-CoV-2-specific immune response.
BACKGROUND
Antibody-based tests are available for measuring SARS-CoV-2-specific immune responses but fast T-cell assays remain scarce. Robust T cell-based tests are needed to differentiate specific cellular immune responses after infection from those after vaccination.
METHODS
One hundred seventeen individuals (COVID-19 convalescent patients: n = 40; SARS-CoV-2 vaccinees: n = 41; healthy controls: n = 36) were evaluated for SARS-CoV-2-specific cellular immune responses (proliferation, Th1, Th2, Th17, and inflammatory cytokines, activation-induced marker [AIM] expression) by incubating purified peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) or whole blood (WB) with SARS-CoV-2 peptides (S, N, or M), vaccine antigens (tetanus toxoid, tick borne encephalitis virus) or polyclonal stimuli (Staphylococcal enterotoxin, phytohemagglutinin).
RESULTS
N-peptide mix stimulation of WB identified the combination of IL-2 and IL-13 secretion as superior to IFN-γ secretion to discriminate between COVID-19-convalescent patients and healthy controls (p < .0001). Comparable results were obtained with M- or S-peptides, the latter almost comparably recalled IL-2, IFN-γ, and IL-13 responses in WB of vaccinees. Analysis 10 months as opposed to 10 weeks after COVID-19, but not allergic disease status, positively correlated with IL-13 recall responses. WB cytokine responses correlated with cytokine and proliferation responses of PBMC. Antigen-induced neo-expression of the C-type lectin CD69 on CD4 (p < .0001) and CD8 (p = .0002) T cells informed best about the SARS-CoV-2 exposure status with additional benefit coming from CD25 upregulation.
CONCLUSION
Along with N- and S-peptide-induced IL-2 and CD69 neo-expression, we suggest to include the type 2 cytokine IL-13 as T-cellular recall marker for SARS-CoV-2 specific T-cellular immune responses after infection and vaccination.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Cytokines; Immunity, Cellular; Interleukin-13; Interleukin-2; Leukocytes, Mononuclear; SARS-CoV-2; Vaccination
PubMed: 35690994
DOI: 10.1111/all.15406 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2022Thriving under high population density is considered a major feature of urban exploiter species. Nevertheless, population density appears to be a surprisingly overlooked...
Thriving under high population density is considered a major feature of urban exploiter species. Nevertheless, population density appears to be a surprisingly overlooked factor in urban ecology studies. High population numbers observed in urban species might promote pathogen transmission and negatively affect health or condition, thus requiring investments in immunocompetence. The feral pigeon Columba livia domestica is an example of a successful city-dweller, found in great abundance in large cities across the globe. We investigated the effects of population density on induced immune response (phytohaemagglutinin skin test) and body condition (blood haemoglobin concentration and size-corrected body mass) in 120 feral pigeons, captured along population density gradient in Łódź (central Poland). We found that stronger immune response was associated with higher population density, but was not related to physiological condition and physiological stress (heterophil/lymphocyte ratio). Moreover, condition indices were not associated with population density. However, since pigeon population density was highly correlated with the level of habitat urbanization, we cannot exclude that any density-dependent effects may be mediated by habitat variation. Our results indicate that urban environment, via population density, might exert different selective pressures on immunocompetence and body condition in this successful urban exploiter.
Topics: Adaptation, Physiological; Animals; Columbidae; Immunity; Population Density; Urbanization
PubMed: 35650222
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12910-1