No change in mRNA expression of immune-related genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells challenged with Theileria annulata in Murrah buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

The interplay of cytokines in bovine tropical theileriosis: a mini review

Studying cytokine profiling in Theleria annulata infection enhances our understanding of how the immune response unfolds, the intricate interactions between the host and the parasite, the strategies employed by the parasite to evade the immune system, and potential avenues for developing treatments. The generation of pro-inflammatory cytokines plays a pivotal role in the immune response against T. annulata infection. Elevated concentrations of these cytokines potentially contribute to the manifestation of clinical symptoms associated with the disease, such as fever, anemia, exophthalmia, and weight loss. The production of anti-inflammatory cytokines potentially serves as a regulatory mechanism for the immune response, preventing the development of severe disease. Nevertheless, in animals afflicted by T. annulata infection, there is often a notable decrease in the levels of these cytokines, suggesting that they may not be as effective in mitigating the disease as they are in uninfected animals. This knowledge can be harnessed to develop improved diagnostic methods, treatments, and vaccines for tropical theileriosis. The objective of this current mini review is to achieve the same goal by consolidating the available knowledge of cytokine interactions in Bovine Tropical Theileriosis (BTT).

Characterization of BoLA class II DQA and DQB by PCR-RFLP, cloning, and sequencing reveals sequence diversity in crossbred cattle

The BoLA class II DQA and DQB genes in crossbred cattle were studied using PCR-RFLP, cloning, and sequencing techniques. Seventy-two crossbred cattle (Vrindavani) were used in the current study. HaeIII and XbaI restriction enzymes digested DQA exon 2-3, revealing seven (HaeIII-A-G) and three (XbaI A-C) motifs, respectively. The BoLA-DQB gene was analyzed using PCR-RFLP with PstI and TaqI restriction enzymes, yielding five restriction motifs for each restriction enzyme (PstI-A-E and TaqI-A-E). In crossbred cattle, addition, deletion, and substitutions were observed in distinct sequences, resulting in variations in overall gene length. Changes in nucleotides at positions 64-80, 110-200, and 207-264 were largely responsible for polymorphism in DQA exon 2. The phylogenetic analysis predicted a high degree of nucleotide and amino acid changes in DQA exon 2-3 and DQB exon 2. DQA genes had a nucleotide dissimilarity of 0.3-25.4 percent, while DQB genes had a nucleotide dissimilarity of 1.5-14.3 percent. We cloned and sequenced 20 genotypes based on PCR-RFLP of the DQA and DQB genes. The current study observed variation in the DQA and DQB genes and will serve as a foundation for future research on the BoLA DQA and DQB genes.

Molecular and phylogenetic analysis of MHC class I exons 7-8 in a variety of cattle and buffalo breeds

The present study was conducted on the MHC class I (BoLA-A/BuLA-A) gene in Sahiwal, Jersey, Hariana, and Tharparkar breeds of cattle and Murrah, Mehsana, and Bhadawari breeds of buffalo to study the polymorphism. Exons 7-8 of the MHC class I gene was first characterized for polymorphism study in buffalo and the results reveal that this gene has a higher level of nucleotide changes than the cattle. Genes were investigated for polymorphisms in 285 animals of cattle and buffalo breeds. Molecular characterization of the MHC class I (BoLa-A/Bula-A) gene reveals a higher degree of polymorphism at the nucleotide level in cattle and buffalo. Results revealed this region has a higher level of polymorphisms in buffalo as campared to the cattle. Alul restriction patterns were monomorphic except for three different patterns but it was able to illustrate the differences in buffalo and cattle. SSCP analysis of exons 7-8 showed remarkable differences in cattle and buffalo. Sequence analysis revealed more closeness of Murrah breed with crossbred and indigenous cattle than Holstein Friesian. Exon 8 had more deletion and stop codon as compared to exon 7. The investigation confirmed that MHC class I BoLa-A/Bula-A exons 7-8 is highly polymorphic in buffalo as compared to cattle.

Blood lymphocyte subpopulations in healthy water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis, Mediterranean lineage): Reference intervals and influence of age and reproductive history

There is an increasing interest toward infectious diseases and mechanisms of immune response of water buffaloes, mainly because of the growing economic impact of this species and of its high-quality milk. However, little is known about the immune system of these animals in physiological conditions. Recently, a wide number of antibodies cross reacting with buffalo antigens has been validated for use in flow cytometry (FC), allowing detailed characterization of the lymphocytic population in this species. The aim of the present study was to describe the lymphocyte subpopulations in a large number of healthy water buffaloes, providing reference intervals (RIs), and to assess whether the composition of blood lymphocyte population significantly varied with age and reproductive history. Our final aim was to lay the ground for future studies evaluating the role of host immune response in water buffaloes. One-hundred-twelve healthy buffaloes from four different herds in the South of Italy were included in the study. All animals had been vaccinated for Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR), Salmonellosis, Colibacillosis and Clostridiosis, and all herds were certified Brucellosis- and Tuberculosis-free. Venous blood collected into EDTA tubes was processed for FC, and the percentage of cells staining positive for the following antibodies was recorded: CD3, CD4, CD8, CD21, TCR-δ-N24, WC1-N2, WC1-N3 and WC1-N4. Absolute concentration of each lymphoid subclass was then calculated, based on automated White Blood Cell (WBC) Count. Reference Intervals were calculated according to official guidelines and are listed in the manuscript. The composition of the lymphocyte population varied with age and reproductive history, with animals <2-years-old and heifers having higher concentration of most of the subclasses. The present study provides RIs for the main lymphocytic subclasses in healthy water buffaloes, highlighting gross differences between young and old animals. Establishment of age-specific RIs is recommended in water buffaloes. The data we present may be useful as a basis for further studies concerning mechanisms of immune response toward infectious agents in water buffaloes.

An Overview of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells as a Model for Immunological Research of Toxoplasma gondii and Other Apicomplexan Parasites

In biology, models are experimental systems meant to recreate aspects of diseases or human tissue with the goal of generating inferences and approximations that can contribute to the resolution of specific biological problems. Although there are many models for studying intracellular parasites, their data have produced critical contradictions, especially in immunological assays. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) represent an attractive tissue source in pharmacogenomics and in molecular and immunologic studies, as these cells are easily collected from patients and can serve as sentinel tissue for monitoring physiological perturbations due to disease. However, these cells are a very sensitive model due to variables such as temperature, type of stimulus and time of collection as part of posterior processes. PBMCs have been used to study Toxoplasma gondii and other apicomplexan parasites. For instance, this model is frequently used in new therapies or vaccines that use peptides or recombinant proteins derived from the parasite. The immune response to T. gondii is highly variable, so it may be necessary to refine this cellular model. This mini review highlights the major approaches in which PBMCs are used as a model of study for T. gondii and other apicomplexan parasites. The variables related to this model have significant implications for data interpretation and conclusions related to host-parasite interaction.