Innate immunity of the bovine mammary gland

The role of dietary selenium in bovine mammary gland health and immune function

Mastitis is not only a major cause of economic losses to the dairy industry but also a major problem in ensuring the quality and safety of the milk, associated with high somatic cell counts and residues of antibiotics used for treatment. One innovative approach to protection against mastitis is to stimulate the animal's natural defense mechanisms. Technological advances in immunological research have increased our ability to exploit the immunity of the bovine mammary gland during periods of high susceptibility to disease. The trace element selenium affects the innate and the adaptive immune responses of the mammary gland through cellular and humoral activities. Substantial research has been carried out on the effect of selenium (Se) on the immune function of the mammary gland and subsequent improvement in bovine udder health and mastitis control. Levels higher than current recommendations and Se-yeast can potentially be used to enhance our capacity to modulate the physiological mechanisms of the bovine mammary gland to respond to infection. This article provides an overview of the most recent research in this field.

Proteomic analysis of differentially expressed proteins in bovine milk during experimentally induced Escherichia coli mastitis

The objectives of the current study were to profile changes in protein composition using 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis on whey samples from a group of 8 cows before and 18 h after infection with Escherichia coli and to identify differentially expressed milk proteins by peptide sequencing using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry post source decay. Only proteins present in whey fractions of all 8 cows were sequenced to avoid reporting a protein response unique to only a subset of infected cows. Despite the overwhelming presence of casein and beta-lactoglobulin, the low abundance proteins transthyretin, lactadherin, beta-2-microglobulin precursor, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein, and complement C3 precursor could be identified in whey samples from healthy cows. Whey samples at 18 h postinfection were characterized by an abundance of serum albumin, in spots of varying mass and isoelectric point, as well as increased transthyretin and complement C3 precursor levels. Also detected at 18 h postinoculation were the antimicrobial peptides cathelicidin, indolicidin, and bactenecin 5 and 7, and the proteins beta-fibrinogen, alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein, S100-A12, and alpha-1-antiproteinase. Most notable was the detection of the acute phase protein alpha-1-acid glycoprotein in mastitic whey samples, a result not previously reported. In contrast to methods used in previous proteomic analyses of bovine milk, the methods used in the current study enabled the rapid identification of milk proteins with minimal sample preparation. Use of a larger sample size than previous analyses also allowed for more robust protein identification. Results indicate that examination of the protein profile of whey samples from cows after inoculation with E. coli could provide a rapid survey of milk protein modulation during coliform mastitis and aid in the identification of biomarkers of this disease.

Effect of bovine lactoferrin on the internalization of coagulase-negative staphylococci into bovine mammary epithelial cells under in-vitro conditions

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) have emerged as bovine mastitis pathogens in many countries. CNS mastitis is generally mild but can persist in the udder for long periods. Pathogenesis of CNS intramammary infection is not well understood. In the present study, adhesion, invasion and intracellular replication of twenty-two CNS strains isolated from bovine mastitis and the effect of bovine lactoferrin (bLf) on the internalization were studied in vitro in a bovine mammary epithelial (BME) cell model. The CNS strains were of Staphylococcus chromogenes, Staph. simulans, Staph. epidermidis, Staph. haemolyticus and Staph. cohnii urealyticus; two strains of Staph. aureus were used as controls. Seven of the CNS strains originated from persistent and five from transient mastitis infections. The in-vitro susceptibility of the strains to bLf was also investigated. All CNS species examined had an adhesive ability equal to that of Staph. aureus, but internalization varied among staphylococcal strains. The antagonistic effect of bLf on the adhesion and invasion of CNS strains was weak, but bLf significantly decreased intracellular replication and replication rates of CNS. No correlation between the in-vitro susceptibility of the strain to bLf or internalization among clinical signs of mastitis was established. No difference between the persistent and transient CNS strains in adhesion, invasion or replication rate was recorded. This in-vitro BME cell model can be used to study the virulence potential of mastitis pathogens, although the severity and persistence of eventual infections shall be further investigated in vivo. The role of bLf in intramammary infection caused by CNS may be limited.

Production of hydrogen peroxide by a small molecular mass compound in milk from Holstein cows with high and low milk somatic cell count

Mastitis is the most frequent and prevalent production disease in dairy herds in developed countries. Based on a milk somatic cell count (SCC) of either >300,000 or <200,000 cells/ml in this study, we defined the quarter as either inflamed or uninflamed, respectively. The electrical conductivity (EC) of milk was used as an indicator of udder epithelial cell damage. We determined the amount of H2O2 produced by utilizing a small molecular weight compound in milk, and examined the characteristics of H2O2 production and EC in milk from inflamed and uninflamed quarters. In cows with milk of delivery grade (control population), H2O2 production and EC were 3.6+/-1.3 nmol/ml and 5.4+/-0.4 mS/cm (mean+/-sd), respectively. In 37 inflamed quarter milk samples, the production of H2O2 was 1.9+/-1.0 nmol/ml and was significantly smaller than that in the control population (P<0.01). Production of H2O2 was moderately but significantly correlated with EC (r<-0.71). In 20 cows with inflamed quarters, the production of H2O2 in milk from inflamed quarters was significantly smaller than that in milk from uninflamed quarters (P<0.01). In 18 out of 20 cows, milk from inflamed quarters showed the smallest H2O2 production among all tested quarters in each cow. We conclude that inflammation caused a decrease in H2O2 production in milk. In this study, we present parameters for evaluating the lactoperoxidase/H2O2/thiocyanate antibacterial defence system in bovine milk.

Neutrophils as one of the major haptoglobin sources in mastitis affected milk

The antioxidant haptoglobin (Hp) is an acute-phase protein responsive to infectious and inflammatory diseases. Hp and somatic cell counts (SCC) are sharply elevated in bovine milk following intramammary administration of endotoxin or bacteria. However, the sources of milk Hp responsible for such increases are not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to define the source of milk Hp from dairy cows with naturally occurring mastitis. Quarter milk samples selected from 50 dairy cows were separated into four groups according to SCC as group A: < 100 (n = 19); B: 100-200 (n = 10); C: 201-500 (n = 10); and D: > 500 x 10(3) (n = 11) cells/mL. Our results reveal that milk Hp concentrations were correlated with SCC (r = 0.742; P < 0.01), and concentrations in group D were approximately 10-fold higher than in group A. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis indicates that the milk somatic cells from group D were not only capable of synthesizing Hp but could also markedly increase Hp mRNA expression. Western blot, immunocytochemistry, double confocal immunofluorescence, and Hp releasing experiments demonstrate that neutrophils were associated with the biosynthesis and release of Hp in milk. It further shows that Hp was significantly elevated in the epithelium of mammary gland tissue with mastitis and was also expressed in the cultured mammary epithelial cells. We propose that neutrophils and epithelial cells may play an essential role in elevating milk Hp in addition to previous suggestions that Hp may be derived from mammary tissues and circulation.

Platelet activating factor production and proinflammatory gene expression in endotoxin-challenged bovine mammary endothelial cells

The bovine mammary gland responds to gram-negative pathogens by stimulating the production of cytokines and other proinflammatory mediators that orchestrate the migration of leukocytes into tissues. Platelet activating factor (PAF), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta), IL-8, and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1) are among the several inflammatory factors involved in the early activation and migration of leukocytes into the mammary gland during the initial stages of coliform mastitis. Several different cell types within the mammary gland are capable of expressing these potent pro-inflammatory mediators. The objective of this study was to characterize the expression profile of vascular-derived inflammatory molecules that may play a role in the pathogenesis of bovine coliform mastitis. Isolated bovine mammary gland endothelial cells were stimulated in culture for up to 12 h with endotoxin obtained from Escherichia coli, and the temporal expression of proinflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules relative to endogenous PAF biosynthesis was evaluated. Results from the in vitro time course experiment showed that vascular-derived PAF biosynthesis began as early as 30 min and peaked at 1 h following endotoxin challenge. The biosynthesis of PAF preceded the endotoxin-induced IL-1 beta, IL-8, and ICAM1 mRNA expression that increased after 1 h and reached peak expression between 4 and 12 h following stimulation. Inhibiting the effects of endogenous PAF with a receptor antagonist suggests that vascular-derived PAF is an early proinflammatory mediator that plays at least a partial role in the subsequent expression of IL-1 beta, IL-8, and ICAM1 during endotoxin challenge. Furthermore, endotoxin-induced PAF biosynthesis by bovine mammary gland endothelial cells is regulated to some extent by phospholipase D activity and phosphatidic acid production. The results from this study support the contention that mammary gland endothelial cells can contribute to the production of important proinflammatory mediators that are typically associated with coliform mastitis.

Detection of mastitis in the bovine mammary gland by flow cytometry at early stages

Subclinical mastitis is a costly disease and its diagnosis is difficult. Besides the somatic cell count (SCC) and bacteriology, the differential inflammatory cell count (DICC) is a meaningful tool for mastitis detection. As microscopy is very subjective because of the low number of events to be counted, flow cytometry has often been proposed for the differentiation of milk cells. The objective of this study was to determine whether it is possible to identify subclinical mastitis in cattle at an early stage by a simple and fast flow cytometric method. The aim was to identify the main leucocyte populations in flow cytometric dotplots (polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN), lymphocytes and macrophages) and, with these, to elaborate a method of mastitis prognostics. Milk from 15 German Holstein cows was sampled in cross-sectional studies and SCC determined. After preparation, the milk cells were incubated with different specific antibodies that bind to different cell types and also to propidium iodide (PI), which differs between viable and non-viable cells. This procedure made it possible to localize cell types in a flow cytometric dot plot and to differentiate between viable and non-viable PMN. Percentages of viable PMN can be determined by a procedure consisting of a simple centrifugation, incubation with PI, and flow cytometric measurement. So it is possible to quickly determine the stage of the inflammation even in quarters with a low SCC.

Immune components of bovine colostrum and milk

Colostrum and milk provide a complete diet for the neonate. In ruminants, colostrum is also the sole source of initial acquired immunity for the offspring. Milk therefore plays an important role in mammalian host defense. In colostrum, the concentration of immunoglobulins is particularly high, with IgG being the major immunoglobulin class present in ruminant milk, in contrast to IgA being the major immunoglobulin present in human milk. Immunoglobulins are transported into mammary secretions via specialized receptors. In addition to immunoglobulins, both colostrum and milk contain viable cells, including neutrophils and macrophages, which secrete a range of immune-related components into milk. These include cytokines and antimicrobial proteins and peptides, such as lactoferrin, defensins, and cathelicidins. Mammary epithelial cells themselves also contribute to the host defense by secreting a range of innate immune effector molecules. A detailed understanding of these proteins and peptides offers great potential to add value to the dairy industry. This is demonstrated by the wide-ranging commercial applications of lactoferrin derived from bovine milk. Knowledge of the immune function of milk, in particular, how the gland responds to pathogens, can be used to boost the concentrations of immune factors in milk through farm management practices and vaccination protocols. The latter approach is currently being used to maximize yields of bovine milk-derived IgA directed at specific antigens for therapeutic and prophylactic use. Increasingly sophisticated proteomics technologies are being applied to identify and characterize the functions of the minor components of milk. An overview is presented of the immune factors in colostrum and milk as well as the results of research aimed at realizing this untapped value in milk.

High frequency of Mycobacterium bovis DNA in colostra from tuberculous cattle detected by nested PCR

We evaluated by nested PCR reaction, different cow secretions from a herd with 48% of prevalence of bovine tuberculosis (BTB), seeking to determine niches where Mycobacterium bovis could be found. Postmortem examination of 18 (75%) tuberculin reacting cows allowed demonstrates BTB-compatible lesions in six, all of them PCR positives in milk and four in colostra samples. Our results showed that up to 62% of the colostra analysed contained M. bovis DNA, whereas only 18% of milk gave a positive reaction. Moreover, in bronchoalveolar lavages from cattle with compatible lesions in lungs or lymph nodes, where macrophages account up to 90% of cells, we did not find evidences of M. bovis. Altogether, these results suggest that differences in the anti-bacterial capacity of bovine macrophages, dependent upon microenvironment and organ-specific factors, exist. Alternatively, we hypothesize that hypoxic conditions that are encountered in mammary glands macrophages could induce M. bovis entrance into a 'dormancy-like' state, and that the high number of colostra samples were M. bovis was detected, could be an indicator of reactivation during 'peripartum'.

Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli cause deviating expression profiles of cytokines and lactoferrin messenger ribonucleic acid in mammary epithelial cells

Pathogens invading the mammary gland cause a complex signaling network that activates the early immune defense and leads to an outcome of inflammation symptoms. To examine the importance of mammary epithelial cells in these regulations and interactions resulting in a pathogen-related course of mastitis, we characterized the mRNA expression profile of key molecules of the innate immune system by quantitative real-time PCR. Mammary gland epithelial cells isolated on d 42 of lactation from 28 first-lactation Holstein dairy cows were cultured separately under standardized conditions and treated for 1, 6, and 24 h with heat-inactivated gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria. Both pathogens increased mRNA expression patterns of proteins involved in pathogen recognition such as Toll-like receptors and nuclear factor-kappa B, whereas gram-negatives acted as a stronger stimulus. Furthermore, this could be confirmed by the expression profile of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6, and chemokines such as IL-8 and RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted). Remarkably, at a low level of mRNA expression after 1 h of treatment these cytokines and chemokines were expressed at a significantly higher level in Staphyloccocus aureus than in Escherichia coli affected cells. Lactoferrin showed a deviating expression pattern to pathogen stimulation (i.e., at the 1-h measuring point Escherichia coli induced a higher mRNA expression, whereas the highest level was reached after 24 h of stimulation with Staphylococcus aureus). Complement factor 3 was the only measured factor that responded equally to both microorganisms. Our data emphasize the role of mammary epithelial cells in the immune defense of the udder and confirm their contribution to pathogen-related different courses of mastitis.

Identification of immune genes and proteins involved in the response of bovine mammary tissue to Staphylococcus aureus infection

BACKGROUND

Mastitis in dairy cattle results from infection of mammary tissue by a range of micro-organisms but principally coliform bacteria and Gram positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus. The former species are often acquired by environmental contamination while S. aureus is particularly problematic due to its resistance to antibiotic treatments and ability to reside within mammary tissue in a chronic, subclinical state. The transcriptional responses within bovine mammary epithelial tissue subjected to intramammary challenge with S. aureus are poorly characterised, particularly at the earliest stages of infection. Moreover, the effect of infection on the presence of bioactive innate immune proteins in milk is also unclear. The nature of these responses may determine the susceptibility of the tissue and its ability to resolve the infection.

RESULTS

Transcriptional profiling was employed to measure changes in gene expression occurring in bovine mammary tissues sampled from three dairy cows after brief and graded intramammary challenges with S. aureus. These limited challenges had no significant effect on the expression pattern of the gene encoding beta-casein but caused coordinated up-regulation of a number of cytokines and chemokines involved in pro-inflammatory responses. In addition, the enhanced expression of two genes, S100 calcium-binding protein A12 (S100A12) and Pentraxin-3 (PTX3) corresponded with significantly increased levels of their proteins in milk from infected udders. Both genes were shown to be expressed by mammary epithelial cells grown in culture after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide. There was also a strong correlation between somatic cell count, a widely used measure of mastitis, and the level of S100A12 in milk from a herd of dairy cows. Recombinant S100A12 inhibited growth of Escherichia coli in vitro and recombinant PTX3 bound to E. coli as well as C1q, a subunit of the first component of the complement cascade.

CONCLUSION

The transcriptional responses in infected bovine mammary tissue, even at low doses of bacteria and short periods of infection, probably reflect the combined contributions of gene expression changes resulting from the activation of mammary epithelial cells and infiltrating immune cells. The secretion of a number of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines from mammary epithelial cells stimulated by the bacteria serves to trigger the recruitment and activation of neutrophils in mammary tissue. The presence of S100A12 and PTX3 in milk from infected udder quarters may increase the anti-bacterial properties of milk thereby helping to resolve the mammary tissue infection as well as potentially contributing to the maturation of the newborn calf epithelium and establishment of the newborn gut microbial population.

Identification of a bovine mastitis Escherichia coli subset

Eleven Escherichia coli isolates from clinical bovine mastitis cases (mastitic strains) and 11 from the cowshed environment (environmental strains) were compared, to determine if the former were a subset of the latter. The mastitic and environmental strains could not be distinguished according to O antigen and antibiotic sensitivity. All mastitic isolates showed significantly (P<0.0001) faster growth in milk and faster lactose fermentation than most (approximately 64%) environmental strains, but growth rates in nutrient broth did not differ. The rates of lactose fermentation and growth in milk were positively correlated. Adhesion and phagocytosis of mastitic strains by bovine PMN were significantly (P<0.0001) lower than those of environmental strains, and correlated negatively with growth in milk and lactose fermentation. The average percentages of killing by bovine leukocytes in the two sources were not statistically different. All mastitic strains were serum sensitive, whereas most ( approximately 72%) environmental ones were resistant. Finally, pulse-field gel electrophoresis revealed two main pulse type clusters, sharing a similarity coefficient of 79%. Cluster 1 comprised only environmental strains, whereas cluster 2 comprised mostly mastitic strains and only three environmental ones. Four mastitic strains shared a similarity coefficient of less than 74% with the other strains and were not included in the clusters. Our results suggest that clinical bovine mastitis E. coli isolates may form a subset of the general environmental E. coli population; they seem better able to multiply in the udder medium and to evade the host cellular innate immune response, and are genetically distinct from most environmental strains.

Mammary pathogenic Escherichia coli

Pathogenic Escherichia coli can be classified into several pathotypes, and it is believed that each pathotype carries one or more specific gene repertoire (or virulence factors combination) that distinguishes them from non-pathogenic E. coli strains and from other pathotypes. In contrast to this notion, it was proposed that this is not the case for E. coli mastitis, a common disease in farm animals and that any given E. coli isolate can cause this disease, even strains that are considered non-pathogenic. In this review we will re-examine this latter concept and recent advances in the study E. coli mastitis.

Identification and characterization of a new interleukin-8 receptor in bovine species

Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland, most of the time caused by invading pathogens. Phagocytosis by neutrophils is a crucial defense of the mammary gland and the prompt recruitment of these phagocytes from blood to milk compartments is essential for the outcome of the infection. ELR+ CXC chemokines, ligands of the two interleukin-8 receptors (IL-8R), CXCR1 and CXCR2, are likely to be involved in the initiation of the inflammatory response and also in the migration of neutrophils. Recently, the polymorphism of bovine CXCR2 has been associated with resistance to mastitis. However, as the bovine IL-8R are not functionally defined, their contribution to the recruitment of neutrophils remains undetermined. In this study, the RNA ligase-mediated (RLM)-RACE method was used to clone a novel bovine interleukin-8 receptor (nIL-8R) of the bovine species. We showed that both bovine IL-8R (nIL-8R and the published CXCR2) are functional since bovine IL-8 induced migration of HEK-293 cells expressing either IL-8R. In addition, comparisons of full-length sequences suggested that the published CXCR2 sequence was improperly annotated and that the sequences of the nIL-8R and the published CXCR2 are homologous to human CXCR2 and CXCR1, respectively. This was confirmed by binding assays with labeled IL-8 and GRO-beta and calcium (Ca) flux responses of transfected cells. Moreover, the C-terminal of both bovine IL-8R showed 100% identity, whereas they differ in most other species, suggesting that the two bovine IL-8R initiate similar signal transduction. These results constitute a basis to improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms implicated in the recruitment of bovine neutrophils.

Escherichia coli, but not Staphylococcus aureus triggers an early increased expression of factors contributing to the innate immune defense in the udder of the cow

The outcome of an udder infection is influenced by the pathogen species. We established a strictly defined infection model to better analyze the unknown molecular causes for these pathogen-specific effects, using Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus strains previously asseverated from field cases of mastitis. Inoculation of quarters with 500 CFU of E. coli (n = 4) was performed 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h before culling. All animals showed signs of acute clinical mastitis 12 h after challenge: increased somatic cell count (SCC), decreased milk yield, leukopenia, fever, and udder swelling. Animals inoculated with 10 000 CFU of S. aureus for 24 h (n = 4) showed no or only modest clinical signs of mastitis. However, S. aureus caused clinical signs in animals, inoculated for 72 h-84 h. Real-time PCR proved that E. coli inoculation strongly and significantly upregulated the expression of beta-defensins, TLR2 and TLR4 in the pathogen inoculated udder quarters as well as in mammary lymph nodes. TLR3 and TLR6 were not significantly regulated by the infections. Immuno-histochemistry identified mammary epithelial cells as sites for the upregulated TLR2 and beta-defensin expression. S. aureus, in contrast, did not significantly regulate the expression of any of these genes during the first 24 h after pathogen inoculation. Only 84 h after inoculation, the expression of beta-defensins, but not of TLRs was significantly (> 20 fold) upregulated in five out of six pathogen inoculated quarters. Using the established mastitis model, the data clearly demonstrate a pathogen-dependent difference in the time kinetics of induced pathogen receptors and defense molecules.

The toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) pathway and its possible role in the pathogenesis of Escherichia coli mastitis in dairy cattle

Mastitis is one of the most costly production diseases in the dairy industry that is caused by a wide array of microorganisms. In this review, we focus on the Gram-negative Escherichia coli infections that often occur at periods when the innate immune defence mechanisms are impaired (i.e., parturition through the first 60 days of lactation). There is substantial evidence demonstrating that at these periods, the expected influx of polymorphonuclear neutrophil leukocytes (PMN) into the mammary gland is delayed during inflammation after intramammary infection with E. coli. Here, we provide some hypotheses on the potential mechanisms of action on how the disease may develop under circumstances of immunosuppression, and describe the potential involvement of the toll-like receptor-4 signal transduction pathway in the pathogenesis of E. coli mastitis. In addition, some ideas are proposed to help prevent E. coli mastitis and potentially other diseases caused by Gram-negative infections in general.

Morphometric analysis of proinflammatory cytokines in mammary glands of sows suggests an association between clinical mastitis and local production of IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha

Twelve healthy primiparous sows received intramammary inoculation with Escherichia coli (serotype O127) during the 24-h period preceding parturition. Mammary gland biopsy samples were taken immediately before inoculation (0 h) and from the inoculated and the contralateral non-inoculated glands 24 h after inoculation. The analyses of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta), IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) by immunohistochemistry revealed that the production of these proinflammatory cytokines significantly increased in the inoculated mammary glands of sows that developed clinical signs of mastitis (affected group, n=4) 24 h after inoculation. This was also true for IL-8 in the inoculated mammary glands of sows that did not develop clinical signs of mastitis (nonaffected group, n=8). Sows that developed clinical signs of mastitis displayed significantly lower constitutive production of IL-1beta than did sows that remained clinically healthy. The data indicate that the development of clinical symptoms of coliform mastitis in the sow is associated with a locally increased proinflammatory cytokine production in response to intramammary E. coli infection.

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide stimulates bovine neutrophil production of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-12 and IFN-γ

After intramammary infection, polymorphonuclear neutrophil leukocytes (PMN) are the first cells recruited into the mammary gland. Rapid recruitment of and bacterial phagocytosis and killing by PMN are the most effective defenses against establishment of bacterial infection. In addition to their phagocytic and bactericidal properties, PMN may play a key supportive role through secretion of cytokines during the innate immune response. We sought to determine whether bovine PMN produce cytokines in response to stimulation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). To investigate the effects of LPS on the expression of cytokines secreted by bovine PMN, we measured the expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-12, and interferon (IFN)-gamma by ELISA after stimulation with different concentrations of LPS, and secretion of IL-8 after co-stimulation with LPS and either TNF-alpha or IL-1beta. Bovine PMN were shown to secrete TNF-alpha , IL-1beta, IL-12, IL-8 and IFN-gamma in response to LPS. Co-incubation of PMN with LPS and TNF-alpha increased secretion of IL-8 when compared to LPS alone. It was concluded that LPS stimulation up-regulates the secretion of cytokines by bovine PMN, and that co-incubation of LPS with TNF-alpha had an additive effect on the secretion of IL-8. These data show that bovine PMN, in addition to their phagocytic and bactericidal properties, may play a supportive role in the innate immune response to infection by Gram-negative bacteria through their ability to produce immuno-regulating cytokines.

Cumulative physiological events influence the inflammatory response of the bovine udder to Escherichia coli infections during the transition period

A high proportion of intramammary coliform infections present at parturition develop disease characterized by severe inflammatory signs and sepsis during the first 60 to 70 d of lactation. In the lactating bovine mammary gland, the innate immune system plays a critical role in determining the outcome of these infections. Since the beginning of the 1990s, research has increased significantly on bovine mammary innate defense mechanisms in connection with the pathogenesis of coliform mastitis. Neutrophils are key effector cells of the innate immune response to intramammary infection, and their function is influenced by many physiological events that occur during the transition period. Opportunistic infections occur when the integrity of the host immune system is compromised by physical and physiological conditions that make the host more susceptible. The innate immune system of many periparturient cows is immunocompromised. It is unlikely that periparturient immunosuppression is the result of a single physiological factor; more likely, several entities act in concert, with profound effects on the function of many organ systems of the periparturient dairy cow. Their defense system is unable to modulate the complex network of innate immune responses, leading to incomplete resolution of the pathogen and the inflammatory reaction. During the last 30 yr, most efforts have been focused on neutrophil diapedesis, phagocytosis, and bacterial killing. How these functions modulate the clinical outcome of coliform mastitis, and how they can be influenced by hormones and metabolism has been the subject of intensive research and is the focus of this review. The afferent (sensing) arm of innate immunity, which enables host recognition of a diverse array of pathogens, is the subject of intense research interest and may contribute to the variable inflammatory response to intramammary infections during different stages of lactation. The development of novel interventions that modulate the inflammatory response or contribute to the elimination of the pathogen or both may offer therapeutic promise in the treatment of mastitis in periparturient cows.

Differential expression and secretion of α1-acid glycoprotein in bovine milk

α1-Acid glycoprotein (AGP) is a lipocalin that is produced mainly by the liver and secreted into plasma in response to infections and injuries. In this study, we evaluated AGP isoforms that can be detected in bovine milk. We found that milk-AGP content is made up of at least two isoform groups, a low MW group (44 kDa) that is produced in the mammary gland (MG-AGP), and a higher MW group (55–70 kDa), that is produced by somatic cells (SC-AGP). Identical SC-AGP isoforms can be found both in milk and blood PMN cells. Analysis of the mammary tissue cDNA showed that the sequence of the MG-AGP isoform is identical to that of plasma AGP. Each group contains several proteins with different MWs and different isoelectric points, as shown by 2D-electrophoresis. The glycosylation patterns of these isoforms were analysed by means of specific lectin binding, to evaluate the degree of sialylation, fucosylation and branching. The MG-AGP glycan pattern was identical to plasma AGP produced by the liver. Several differences were detected, however, between plasma and SC-AGP isoforms, the most evident being the strong degree of fucosylation and the elevated number of di-antennary glycans in SC-AGP. Immunohistochemistry showed that AGP is found in all tissues that make up the mammary gland, but that it is most likely produced for the main part by the alveoli.

Staphylococcus aureus leucotoxin LukM/F' is secreted and stimulates neutralising antibody response in the course of intramammary infection

Leucotoxins are regarded as virulence factors of Staphylococcus aureus, but data supporting their importance in infection are scarce. Experimental infections of the mammary glands of six goats with a leucotoxin-producing strain were used to investigate in vivo production of leucotoxin. Leucotoxin M/F' was monitored in milk as well as antibodies to LukM/F' in serum and milk. Leucotoxin antigen was detected by ELISA in milk samples of two goats. The appearance of neutrophils in these samples showed similarity with the altered appearance of neutrophils incubated with purified LukM/F' leucotoxin. Leucotoxic activity was found in the milk samples of these two goats, in particular those of the only goat which developed gangrenous (necrotic) mastitis, and this activity was inhibited by antibodies to LukM/F'. Increases in specific antibody titers occurred in the serum and milk of infected goats, and neutralizing titers increased in serum. The results indicate that the lukM and lukF' genes were functional in vivo, and actively transcribed and translated in the course of mammary infection. These results suggest that LukM/F' can interfere with neutrophil defense activities during infection, and they prompt further studies to investigate the contribution of leucotoxins to staphylococcal mastitis.

Toll-like receptor 4 is needed to restrict the invasion of Escherichia coli P4 into mammary gland epithelial cells in a murine model of acute mastitis

Mastitis, an inflammatory response of the mammary tissue to invading pathogenic bacteria, is a common disease in breast-feeding women and dairy animals. Escherichia coli is a leading cause of mastitis in dairy animals. During the course of the disease the host mounts a strong inflammatory response, but specific bacterial virulence factors have not yet been identified. Here we report the use of a murine mastitis model to investigate the innate inflammatory reaction of the mammary gland. We show that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) infusion induces mastitis in wild-type mice (C3H/HeN), but not in mice expressing mutated Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) (C3H/HeJ). The wild-type phenotype was restored by adoptive transfer of TLR4-expressing macrophages into the alveolar milk space of C3H/HeJ mice. In contrast to the LPS treatment, infection with E. coli P4 (ECP4) resulted in inflammation even in the absence of LPS/TLR4 signalling, indicating that additional factors play a role in the pathogenesis of the intact bacteria. Furthermore, in the absence of functional TLR4 the infecting ECP4 invade the epithelial cells with high efficiency, forming intracellular microcolonies. However, adoptive transfer with TLR4-expressing macrophages drastically reduced the epithelial invasion. Taken together, these results indicate that ECP4 has an invasive potential, which is restricted by alveolar macrophages in response to the LPS/TLR4 signalling.

The bacterial flora in the teat duct of ewes can protect against and can cause mastitis

We studied the possible effects of bacterial populations within the teat duct, in the pathogenesis of ovine mastitis. In experiment I, 32 ewes were allocated into group A (ewes from which we isolated (+++ growth) coagulase-negative staphylococci), B (ewes from whose duct we isolated (+ growth) coagulase-negative staphylococci) or C (ewes from which we isolated Bacillus spp.) and subdivided into A1, B1, C1 (n=4; challenged by deposition of 1.250 cfu of Mannheimia haemolytica into the teat duct) or A2, B2, C2 (n=4; used as uninoculated controls); group D (n=8) contained ewes with no bacteria in their teat ducts and were challenged as above. There were less bacteriological isolations of flora (P = 0.018) and challenge (P<0.05) organisms from A1 than from A2 and D ewes; the severity of pathological findings in A1 (summed up score: 27) ewes was smaller than in D (summed up score: 36) ewes (P = 0.038). No such findings were evident with B1 or C1 ewes (P>0.4). In experiment II, ewes (groups E and F, n=6) from whose duct we isolated coagulase-negative staphylococci (+ growth) were used; in group G (n=6) ewes with no bacteria in their teat ducts were included. Teat chapping was applied in E and G ewes. All E ewes developed acute clinical mastitis within 24 h after teat chapping, although we had carried out no challenge; there were more bacteriological isolations of flora organisms from E than from F and G ewes (P < 0.001); the severity of pathological findings in E (score: 28) was greater than in F (score: 3) or G (score: 14) ewes. In experiment III, eight ewes with no bacteria in their teat ducts were allocated into group H or I (n=4) and challenged into the teat (group H) or into the gland (group I) with 10(6) cfu of a Staphylococcus simulans recovered from the teat duct of a group E ewe. Group H ewes developed transiently clinical followed by subclinical mastitis (based on bacteriological and cytological evidence), whilst group I ewes developed severe clinical disease. We conclude that staphylococcal flora present in high numbers within the teat duct of ewes can afford some protection against invading microorganisms. However with impeded defence mechanisms of the teat, the same flora may invade the mammary parenchyma and cause clinical mastitis.

Differential cytokine and chemokine responses of bovine mammary epithelial cells to Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli

We studied the inflammatory and immune responses of bovine mammary epithelial cells (bMEC) infected by mastitis isolates of Staphylococcus aureus. Primary cultures of bMEC were co-incubated separately with three strains of S. aureus and one strain of Escherichia coli. Transcriptional levels and/or protein release of interleukin-8 (IL-8), growth related oncogene alpha (GRO-alpha), growth related oncogene beta (GRO-beta), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were measured at 3, 10 and 24h post-infection (PI). The results indicated that at earlier hours of co-culture, bMEC infected with S. aureus or E. coli expressed more IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, IL-8 and GRO-alpha mRNA than uninfected bMEC. Furthermore, infected bMEC released more TNF-alpha, IL-8, GRO-alpha and GRO-beta proteins than uninfected bMEC. However, differential transcription and release of some cytokines/chemokines from bMEC was observed according to the strain of S. aureus and bacteria Gram type. In conclusion, bMEC did not show an anti-inflammatory potential through IL-10 or TGF-beta1 release. Nevertheless, bMEC were able to release neutrophil-mobilizing chemokines and pro-inflammatory cytokines upon bacterial stimulation, strongly suggesting that bMEC are active contributors to immune and inflammatory responses of mammary gland. In addition, the clinical characteristics and resolution of mastitis may be partly determined by the responses of bMEC according to S. aureus strains and bacteria Gram type.