Differential macrophage function in Brown Swiss and Holstein Friesian cattle

Abstract

There is strong evidence that high yielding dairy cows are extremely susceptible to infectious diseases, and that this has severe economic consequences for the dairy industry and welfare implications. Here we present preliminary functional evidence showing that the innate immune response differs between cow breeds. The ability of macrophages (MØ) to kill pathogens depends in part on oxygen-dependent and independent mechanisms. The oxygen-dependent mechanisms rely on the generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS, respectively). ROS production has been shown to activate the inflammasome complex in MØ leading to increased production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine Interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Conversely RNS inhibits inflammasome mediated IL-1β activation, indicating a division between inflammasome activation and RNS production. In the present study MØ from Brown Swiss (BS) cattle produce significantly more RNS and less IL-1β when compared to cells from Holstein Friesian (HF) cattle in response to bacterial or fungal stimuli. Furthermore, BS MØ killed ingested Salmonella typhimurium more efficiently, supporting anecdotal evidence of increased disease resistance of the breed. Inhibition of autophagy by 3-methyladenine (3-MA) stimulated IL-1β secretion in cells from both breeds, but was more pronounced in HF MØ. Blocking RNS production by l-arginase completely abolished RNS production but increased IL-1β secretion in BS MØ. Collectively these preliminary data suggest that the dichotomy of inflammasome activation and RNS production exists in cattle and differs between these two breeds. As pattern recognition receptors and signaling pathways are involved in the assessed functional differences presented herein, our data potentially aid the identification of in vitro predictors of appropriate innate immune response. Finally, these predictors may assist in the discovery of candidate genes conferring increased disease resistance for future use in combination with known production traits.

From the animal house to the field: Are there consistent individual differences in immunological profile in wild populations of field voles (Microtus agrestis)?

“…We have demonstrated that distinct immunological profiles, well established between laboratory strains [ 1 – 4 ] and livestock breeds [ 38 – 41 ], are also demonstrable within wildlife populations. A major advantage of the field vole system that we have utilized here is that it allows us to follow the same individual over a substantial amount of its lifetime, and hence to identify long-term consistencies in immune response.…”

Non-canonical Inflammasome-Mediated IL-1β Production by Primary Endometrial Epithelial and Stromal Fibroblast Cells Is NLRP3 and Caspase-4 Dependent

“…A role for the cytokine IL-1β has been widely studied in mouse and human models of inflammatory disease, with evidence of its role in bovine uterine disease emerging in recent years (4, 5). Additionally, macrophages from the high yielding Holstein-Friesian dairy breed have been found to produce significantly higher levels of IL-1β than the Brown-Swiss beef breed which may contribute to breed-specific differences in disease susceptibility (21). Given the potency of this cytokine, production of IL-1β at the protein level is a tightly regulated process controlled by the inflammasome complex.…”

Analysis of Genetic Variation in the Bovine SLC11A1 Gene, Its Influence on the Expression of NRAMP1 and Potential Association With Resistance to Bovine Tuberculosis

“…Monocytes were isolated from PBMCs (11 BS and 12 HF) by magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS). Briefly, PBMCs were incubated with paramagnetic beads labeled with an anti-CD14 antibody (MicroBeads, Miltenyi Biotec) and CD14 + monocytes were isolated by positive selection on LS columns in a MidiMACS magnetic separator (Miltenyi Biotech) as described before ( Gibson et al, 2016 ). Monocytes were cultured at approximately 1 × 10 6 cells/ml in RPMI 1640 medium containing GlutaMAX-1 (Gibco) supplemented with 10% Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS, Sigma-Aldrich) and 1% Penicillin-Streptomycin (PenStrep, Gibco).…”

“…Indeed, a comparison between breeds showed that Simmental and Brown Swiss (BS) cattle demonstrated a lower clinical mastitis frequency compared to Holstein-Friesian (HF) cattle ( Rupp and Boichard, 2003 ), while studies in Ethiopia identified a lower incidence rate as well as reduced severity of M. bovis infections in zebu cattle ( Bos indicus ) compared to HF cattle ( Bos taurus ) ( Ameni et al, 2007 ; Vordermeier et al, 2012 ). Additionally, monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) from BS cattle produced more reactive oxygen species and showed increased phagocytic and microbicidal capabilities compared to MDM generated from HF cattle, suggesting that BS cattle might be more effective in dealing with bacterial pathogens compared HF cattle ( Gibson et al, 2016 ). Therefore, the identification of genetic traits impacting on susceptibility or resistance to bTB might offer alternative ways of controlling the disease through selective breeding ( Warner et al, 1987 ; Allen et al, 2010 ; le Roex et al, 2013 ).…”