Interleukin 13 as a Biomarker for Parasite Resistance in Goats Naturally Exposed to Haemonchus contortus

Abstract

Gut expulsion of some mammalian nematodes requires IL-13 secreted by Th2 cells. Interleukin 13 enhances gut contractions and glycoprotein hyper-secretion that propel parasites to detach from the gut wall. Haemonchus contortus is a gastrointestinal blood sucking nematode of small ruminants. This study evaluated expression of IL-13 in selected parasite resistant Spanish and Myotonic goats. Whole blood, and abomasal and intestinal tissues were harvested from goats exhibiting susceptibility and resistance to Haemonchus contortus through standard and molecular detection methods. An indirect Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay was performed to determine IL-13 expression. Results showed that IL-13 was expressed 70% more in intestinal than abomasal tissues. Parasite resistant goats expressed more IL-13 than susceptible goats. These data indicate that IL-13 expression may be useful as a biomarker for resistance to Haemonchus contortus infection in goats, allowing IL-13 based anthelmintic drug development and goat producers the ability to select parasite resistant animals.

Development of immunity in boer goats naturally infected with the nematode haemonchus contortus

“…The results of FEC in Experiments 1 and 2 also revealed that male goats were more susceptible to H. contortus than female goats, where FEC in male goats were significantly higher than female goats. This findings support previous reports in goats by Asanji (1988) and (Corley & Jarmon 2012). The differences in the susceptibility between male and female may due to testosterone concentration in the blood of male vertebrates and its effect on their immune system (Zuk & McKean 1996).…”

“…The overall least square means of FEC in male goats were significantly (P<0.0001) higher than female goats which indicates that male Boer goats are more susceptible to H. contortus infection than female Boer goats. This finding is in agreement with previous studies on H. contortus infestation in goats (Asanji 1988;Corley & Jarmon 2012) and parasite infestations in other mammals (Poulin 1996b(Poulin , 1996aZuk & McKean 1996). Male vertebrates are often more susceptible to infection and carry higher parasite burdens in the field which could be due to the association between testosterone concentration in the blood and its effects on the immune system (Zuk & McKean 1996).…”

Evaluation of Pakistani goat breeds for genetic resistance to Haemonchus contortus

“…This strategy will provide animals with better resistance against gastrointestinal (GI) parasites and anthelmintic resistance, thus having overall better growth and performance (Baker et al 2001). Recent studies have focused on the finding of genetic resistance against H. contortus at the molecular level in different goat breeds in advanced countries (Alberti 2012;Corley and Jarmon 2012a;Corley and Jarmon 2012b). Some developing countries have started this approach (Chiejina and Behnke 2011).…”

Phenotypic Marker Based Evaluation of Resistance to Haemonchus contortus in Teddy and Beetal Goat Breeds of Punjab, Pakistan

“…Further, it will be helpful in identifying genetic potential of breed response towards GI nematodes which can help overcome problem of anthelmintic resistance and having an overall better growth and performance (Baker et al, 2001). Reports are available which describe the variability of genetic potential of goat breeds towards H. contortus infection (Behnke et al, 2006;Chiejina et al, 2010;Alberti et al, 2012;AlJebory and Al-Khayat, 2012;Corley and Jarmon, 2012a;. Similar reports are also available from some developing countries (Chiejina and Behnke, 2011).…”

“…Mechanism of breed resistance towards GI in general and H. contortus in specific is not due to single entity, as it is correlated with activation and production of high level of immunoglobulins (Michael et al, 2004;Lee et al, 2011), mast cells, eosinophils (Alba-Hurtado and Muñoz-guzmán, 2013), high amines level (Rothwell et al, 1971), interleukins (Corley and Jarmon, 2012a;, and influence of genetics of the breed. Resistant breeds show better expression of these substances than susceptible ones.…”