Changes in lymphocyte populations in suckling piglets during primary infections withIsospora suis

Abstract

Isospora suis, a common intestinal parasite of piglets, causes neonatal porcine coccidiosis, which results in reduced and uneven weaning weights and economic losses in pig production. Nevertheless, there are no detailed studies available on the immune response to I. suis. The aim of this study was to carry out phenotypical characterization of lymphocytes during primary infections on day 3 after birth. Infected and noninfected piglets were investigated between days 7 and 16 after birth. Lymphocytes from the blood, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes (flow cytometry) and of the jejunal mucosa (immunohistochemistry) were analysed. A decrease in T cells, especially with the phenotype of resting T-helper cells, T-cell receptor-gammadelta-T cells, and regulatory T cells in the blood, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes was noticeable. An increase in cells with the phenotype of natural killer cells in the spleen of infected animals was found, and the subset of TcR-gammadelta-T cells was strongly increased in the gut mucosa. Our findings suggest an accelerated migration of those cells into the gut. This study provides a strong indication for the involvement of adaptive and innate immune response mechanisms in the primary immune response to I. suis, especially of TcR-gammadelta-T cells as a linkage between innate and adaptive immunity.

Segmental and age differences in the elastin network, collagen, and smooth muscle phenotype in the tunica media of the porcine aorta

“…The animals (commercial fattening hybrids, n = 25; 12 males, 11 females, one castrated male, one without documented sex; age 0−230 days; weight 0.7−95 kg) were euthanized in a time frame comparable to other experiments (Ondrovics et al, 2013;Gabner et al, 2012;Worliczek et al, 2010). All of the animals were raised conventionally Nickel et al (1996) and Tonar et al (2015).…”

Segmental differences in the orientation of smooth muscle cells in the tunica media of porcine aortae

“…The animals (commercial fattening hybrids, n = 17; 9 males, 6 females, 1 castrated male, 1 without documented sex; age 5-210 days; weight 0.7-90 kg) were euthanized during other experiments (Ondrovics et al 2013;Gabner et al 2012;Worliczek et al 2010). All of the animals were conventionally treated and handled in compliance with the European Convention on Animal Care.…”

Vaccination against parasites – status quo and the way forward

“…Phenotyping of cells after primary infection revealed that several subpopulations of T-cells (especially γδ-T cells and, T H cells) were decreased in peripheral organs (blood, spleen) but increased in the jejunum upon infection), and after challenge infection (5 months after primary infection) these cell populations also produced interferon-γ (which is crucial for the defence against apicomplexan parasites) and were able to proliferate upon antigen stimulation [8, 48, 49]. Thus, despite considerable individual reactions, it can be assumed that C. suis can induce specific primary and adaptive immune reactions in pigs including the induction of an immunological memory.…”