Bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency in Danish Holstein-Friesian cattle. II. Patho-anatomical description of affected calves

Bovine Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency (BLAD): A Review

Bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (BLAD) in Holstein cattle is an autosomal recessive congenital disease characterized by recurrent bacterial infections, delayed wound healing and stunted growth, and is also associated with persistent marked neutrophilia. The molecular basis of BLAD is a single point mutation (adenine to guanine) at position 383 of the CD18 gene, which caused an aspartic acid to glycine substitution at amino acid 128 (D128G) in the adhesion molecule CD18. Neutrophils from BLAD cattle have impaired expression of the beta2 integrin (CD11a,b,c/CD18) of the leukocyte adhesion molecule. Abnormalities in a wide spectrum of adherence dependent functions of leukocytes have been fully characterized. Cattle affected with BLAD have severe ulcers on oral mucous membranes, severe periodontitis, loss of teeth, chronic pneumonia and recurrent or chronic diarrhea. Affected cattle die at an early age due to the infectious complications. Holstein bulls, including carrier sires that had a mutant BLAD gene in heterozygote were controlled from dairy cattle for a decade. The control of BLAD in Holstein cattle by publishing the genotypes and avoiding the mating between BLAD carriers was found to be successful. This paper provides an overview of the genetic disease BLAD with reference to the disease in Holstein cattle.

Leukocyte emigration in normal calves and calves with leukocyte adhesion deficiency

The emigration of leukocytes from calves with beta 2 integrin deficiency (BLAD) into bronchoalveolar spaces and scraped tissues was compared to that of normal calves. Polymorphonuclear neutrophils were found in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from BLAD-affected calves showing chronic pneumonia. The neutrophils were complement receptor type 3 (CR3)-negative when characterized by flow cytometric analysis using anti-CD18 monoclonal antibody. Chemiluminescent response mediated by CR3 in neutrophils isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from BLAD-calves showed similar findings obtained from CR3-deficient neutrophils. Neutrophils from normal calves migrated into scraped tissue which was prepared in an upper gluteal surface area, whereas few leukocytes from calves with BLAD migrated to the scraped tissue, evaluated by skin window (Rebuck) method. These findings confirmed the extravasation of CR3-deficient leukocytes into bronchoalveolar lumen in BLAD calves, and demonstrated in vivo characteristics of extravasating property of normal and CR3-deficient neutrophils into scraped tissues.

Prevalence and allele frequency estimation of bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (BLAD) in Holstein-Friesian cattle in Japan

Blood samples from 796 Holstein dairy cows in 20 herds from 6 districts in Japan from June 1994 to August 1995 were examined to determine whether they were BLAD-free, BLAD carriers, or BLAD-affected by use of DNA-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. The usage of semen of confirmed BLAD-carriers for artificial insemination in the Hokkaido district and two selected dairy farms was examined to estimate the gene frequency of BLAD carriers of sires. BLAD-carrier prevalence in 20 herds (796 cows, over 2.5 years old) ranged from 0 to 23.5%, and the mean BLAD-carrier prevalence was 8.1%. The BLAD-carrier prevalence in 10 herds (363 cows) in which the occurrence of BLAD was not detected by the DNA-PCR test ranged from 0 to 12.5% with a mean of 5.4%. The BLAD-carrier prevalence in 10 herds (433 cows) in which the occurrence of BLAD was confirmed by DNA-PCR analysis ranged from 2.6 to 23.5% with a mean of 10.8%, and these values were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of dairy herds in which the occurrence of BLAD was not detected. The age distribution in BLAD carriers in these cows ranged from 2.5 to 11 years. The mean gene frequencies of BLAD among 796 cows from 20 herds and 433 cows from 10 herds in which the occurrence of BLAD was detected were 0.041 and 0.054, respectively. The proportional usage of semen of BLAD carriers for artificial insemination in the Hokkaido district in 1992 was 12.6%, and its gene frequency was 0.058. On two selected farms in which higher BLAD-carrier rates were detected, the prevalences were 35.5% and 25.8%, and their gene frequencies were 0.177 and 0.129, respectively. The occurrence of BLAD-affected in Holstein dairy cattle was estimated to be 0.16-0.31% at birth in Japan without genetic control.

Biosynthesis of B2-integrin, intracellular calcium signalling and functional responses of normal and CD18-deficient bovine neutrophils

1Biosynthesis of CD11/CD18 in bovine leucocytes, intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) signalling, chemiluminescent responses and membrane fluidity of neutrophils and the effects of D-mannose on neutrophils from control heifers and a heifer with bovine leucocyte adhesion deficiency (BLAD) were measured. The synthesis of CD11/CD18 complex was clearly detected in leucocytes from a normal heifer, but not in a BLAD-affected heifer. The transient phase of increased [Ca2+]i was clearly detected in neutrophils from a heifer with BLAD stimulated with opsonised zymosan, aggregated bovine immunoglobulin G or concanavalin A, whereas the sustained phase was deficient or significantly decreased compared with control heifers. [Ca2+]i signalling of neutrophils from control heifers and a heifer with BLAD stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate via an 11b/CD18-independent pathway showed no transient phase, and the subsequent increase in [Ca2+]i was almost identical in neutrophils from affected and control heifers. [Ca2+]i concentration and chemiluminescent responses of neutrophils from a control heifer were clearly decreased by treatment with anti-CD18 and anti-IgG antibodies. No differences in membrane fluidity were detected between neutrophils derived from control and CD18-deficient cattle. D-mannose binds mainly to Fc rather than CD18 receptors, and decreased Agg-IgG induced [Ca2+]i and the chemiluminescent response of neutrophils. The [Ca2+]i responses and Agg-IgG induced chemiluminescent responses of neutrophils from control heifers and a BLAD-affected heifer were inhibited by D-mannose. The characteristic changes of [Ca2+]i signalling and functional responses of B2-integrin-deficient neutrophils were demonstrated.

Alimentary and respiratory tract lesions in eight medically fragile Holstein cattle with bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (BLAD)

Lesions in the alimentary tract were studied in eight medically fragile Holstein cattle homozygous for the bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (BLAD) allele as determined by polymerase chain reaction and restriction endonuclease analysis. These cattle received institutional medical care but died or were euthanatized because of chronic debilitation associated with diarrhea (6/8) and pneumonia (4/8). The six cattle with diarrhea had acute (n = 3) or chronic (n = 3) intestinal ulcers, but the other two remained relatively healthy for 3 years and did not develop intestinal tract ulcers. Ulcerated areas were present in the small intestine in six animals, and two of these also had ulcers in the large intestine. Ulcers were covered by thick exudates that, in chronic lesions, partially occluded the intestinal lumen. Intramural and serosal fibrosis also contributed to lumen constriction. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from the intestine of four cattle. Bovine viral disease virus and Salmonella were not isolated from the five cattle that were tested. Respiratory tract lesions consisted of dense infiltrates of neutrophils in bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli. This study suggests that intestinal lesions are integral to the demise of BLAD cattle that receive intensive medical care and that neutrophils do infiltrate the lung and enter airway lumina, despite the adhesion deficiency.

Radiographic and immunohistochemical analysis of leukocyte adhesion deficiency in Holstein heifers

Radiographic and immunohistochemical analyses were performed in two Holstein heifers with leukocyte adhesion deficiency (BLAD). Severe bone resorption, osteolysis and severe progressive periodontitis in submandibula due to dysfunction of leukocytes in heifers affected with BLAD were demonstrated by radiographic examination. Immunohistochemical analysis of lymph nodes using anti-CD18 monoclonal antibody demonstrated that CD18-positive cells were not found on those from a heifer affected with BLAD, whereas CD18-positive cells were clearly present in lymph nodes from a clinically normal heifer. These characteristic findings support the importance of adherence-dependent leukocyte functions in host defense.

Bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency in Danish Holstein-Friesian cattle. I. PCR screening and allele frequency estimation

A screening program for bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (BLAD) in Danish Holstein-Friesian cattle has been initiated. During the first months 1611 animals were tested by a PCR based assay. Of these animals 1256, 346, and 8 were assigned normal, BLAD carriers, and BLAD affected animals, respectively. One bull, born as a co-twin, showed weak reaction for the BLAD allele on DNA isolated from leukocytes, but a normal genotype on DNA isolated from semen. Chromosome analysis showed that this bull was a blood chimaera. Estimation of the BLAD allele frequency upon the PCR test results showed that around 450 Danish calves born in 1991 might have been affected with the recessive disorder.

Investigations on the occurrence of hereditary diseases in the Danish cattle population 1989-1991

The methods of the Danish Bovine Genetic Disease Programme are outlined, and the results obtained during the first 3 years in function are described. The most common disease reported was spinal muscular atrophy in calves of the Red Danish Dairy breed with 312 reports. Necropsy was performed on 162 cases, and spinal muscular atrophy was diagnosed in 82 of these. Bovine progressive degenerative myeloencephalopathy, rectovaginal constriction, syndrome of arthrogryposis and palatoschisis, hereditary chondrodysplasia (2 different types), syndactylism, epitheliogenesis imperfecta, and osteogenesis imperfecta was diagnosed with 1 case each. Lethal trait A46 was diagnosed in 4 calves. Some of these diseases have not previously been described in Denmark, and epitheliogenesis imperfecta was for the first time diagnosed in the Hereford breed. Chromosome translocation 1/29 was detected in the Blonde d'Aquitaine (BAQ), Limousine, and Red Danish Dairy breed. The aberration occurred frequently in BAQ. Furthermore, a complex chromosome translocation t(1;8;9)(q45;q13;q26) was detected in the Red Danish Dairy breed.

Investigations on the occurrence of hereditary diseases in the Danish cattle population 1989-1991

The methods of the Danish Bovine Genetic Disease Programme are outlined, and the results obtained during the first 3 years in function are described. The most common disease reported was spinal muscular atrophy in calves of the Red Danish Dairy breed with 312 reports. Necropsy was performed on 162 cases, and spinal muscular atrophy was diagnosed in 82 of these. Bovine progressive degenerative myeloencephalopathy, rectovaginal constriction, syndrome of arthrogryposis and palatoschisis, hereditary chondrodysplasia (2 different types), syndactylism, epitheliogenesis imperfecta, and osteogenesis imperfecta was diagnosed with 1 case each. Lethal trait A46 was diagnosed in 4 calves. Some of these diseases have not previously been described in Denmark, and epitheliogenesis imperfecta was for the first time diagnosed in the Hereford breed. Chromosome translocation 1/29 was detected in the Blonde d'Aquitaine (BAQ), Limousine, and Red Danish Dairy breed. The aberration occurred frequently in BAQ. Furthermore, a complex chromosome translocation t(1;8;9)(q45;q13;q26) was detected in the Red Danish Dairy breed.

Bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency in Danish Holstein-Friesian cattle. I. PCR screening and allele frequency estimation

A screening program for bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (BLAD) in Danish Holstein-Friesian cattle has been initiated. During the first months 1611 animals were tested by a PCR based assay. Of these animals 1256, 346, and 8 were assigned normal, BLAD carriers, and BLAD affected animals, respectively. One bull, born as a co-twin, showed weak reaction for the BLAD allele on DNA isolated from leukocytes, but a normal genotype on DNA isolated from semen. Chromosome analysis showed that this bull was a blood chimaera. Estimation of the BLAD allele frequency upon the PCR test results showed that around 450 Danish calves born in 1991 might have been affected with the recessive disorder.