Evaluation of the Suitability of Monoclonal Antibodies for Flow Cytometric Intracellular Cytokine Detection in Porcine Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes

Exploratory reference intervals on hematology and cellular immune system of multiparous Large White sows

There is significant lack of basic hematologic and immunological data in adult sows. Therefore, aim of this study was to provide respective reference intervals. 32 clinically healthy multiparous Large White sows aged 33.5 ± 9.6 months and all of them two months postpartum were included in this study. Mean erythrocyte count was 5.5 ± 0.7 × 10(6)/μl and total leukocyte count was 12.1 ± 2.1 × 10(3)/μl. Proportion of lymphocytes was 44.7 ± 10.2% and of neutrophils 41.6 ± 11.0%. The ratio of naïve T helper (Th) cells to memory Th cells was 1:3.1 and the ratio of Th cells to cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) was 1:4.2. Proportions of regulatory T cells, NK cells, and CD21(+) B cells were lower (3.1, 2.6, and 6.0%) than those of memory Th cells ranging from 8.8 to 27.5% depending on the activation status and CTLs with 37.3%. γδ T cells were found at comparably high numbers (19.1%). Flow cytometric measurement of intracellular cytokines in PBMCs revealed marginal levels for IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-12p35, but remarkable levels for TNF-α and IFN-γ. Highest mRNA levels were found for IL-1, IL-10, and TNF-α, with TNF-α showing the least inter-individual variation.

Running has a negative effect on bone metabolism and proinflammatory status in male aged rats

Animal models for male osteoporosis are scarce. This study aimed at identifying the impact of different living conditions on bone structure and metabolism as well as the inflammatory status in a rat model of age-related male osteoporosis. Bone mineral density, bone histomorphometric data, ex vivo osteoclast generation, and bone metabolism serum marker as well as intracellular cytokine expressions were evaluated in 23-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats subjected to different housing conditions from the age of 5 months. Running rats were housed individually and were exercised voluntarily in running wheels attached to their cages. Dieting rats were housed individually, too, but were fed to pair weight with the running rats. Walking rats were exercised mildly by use of a treadmill (800m/day, 5 days a week) and social rats were kept as four in a cage and fed ad libitum. Whereas no marked differences could be found for bone mineral density, trabecular bone volume as well as trabecular bone surface were diminished in walking rats. The ex vivo osteoclast generation assay revealed no significant differences between groups. Osteoblasts of running rats were not only decreased in number, but displayed also a lower activity as indicated by decreased serum osteocalcin levels. Osteoclast activity was increased in the same group as indicated by elevated CTX (c-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen) levels. Additionally, production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interferone (IFN)-gamma by CD8(+) T cells was elevated in running rats. In conclusion, running has a negative effect on bone metabolism and proinflammatory status in male aged rats.

Intracellular cytokine detection by flow cytometry in pigs: Fixation, permeabilization and cell surface staining

Intracellular flow cytometry is a method of cytokine detection that allows simultaneous detection of intracellular cytokines and cell surface markers. This important method is not extensively used in pigs, in particular due to the inaccessibility of proper methodological protocols modifying comprehensive human protocols. The aim of this study was to find the best procedure for fixation and permeabilization of porcine blood leukocytes and simultaneous cell surface staining. Permeabilization with commercial kits gave better results in most of the chosen parameters compared with combinations of different concentrations of paraformaldehyde and saponin. Among the commercial kits tested, the best results were obtained with the IntraStain kit. Cell surface markers were detected on cells stimulated for cytokine production by antibodies anti-CD14 (clone MIL-2), anti-SWC3, anti-CD4 and anti-CD8 except anti-CD14 (clone Tük4). While anti-CD8 (clone MIL-12) must be used for staining of unfixed cells, the other antibodies recognize fixed and/or permeabilized cells. Moreover, anti-SWC3 and anti-CD14 (clone MIL-2) antibodies can stain cells during the permeabilization step. These modifications of the cell surface staining protocol allow the researcher to speed up the procedure of intracellular cytokine staining or to combine cell surface staining and intracellular cytokine staining. The present study can serve as a particular protocol of intracellular cytokine detection and as a suggestion for optimization of the fixation, permeabilization and cell surface staining procedure in any laboratory.

Porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS) is associated with a systemic cytokine expression profile indicative of proinflammation and a Th1 bias

Porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS) is broadly discussed as a porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2)-associated disease, although PCV2, in contrast to postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS), has to date not been proven to be the aetiologic agent. In order to better understand the complex immunopathology of PDNS, the systemic cytokine expression profiles of (i) five pigs suffering from PDNS, (ii) five animals suffering from naturally acquired PMWS and (iii) five controls were investigated at mRNA and protein levels by means of multiplex real-time RT-PCR and flow cytometric intracellular cytokine detection, respectively. IL-1alpha, IL-6 and IFN-gamma mRNA expressions were found to be elevated in PDNS pigs. At the protein level, an increased capacity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to produce IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-12, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma was evident. Hematological investigations revealed a hypochromic anemia while basophils and monocytes were relatively and neutrophils absolutely increased in PDNS pigs. PCV2 antibody levels did not differ significantly between PDNS and PMWS affected animals. Taken results together, the cytokine profile of the PDNS affected animals together with hematological data pointed towards a proinflammatory condition supporting a Th1 bias. Cytokine data of PMWS affected animals exhibited only minor non-significant differences when compared to controls, only IL-10 was significantly decreased at the mRNA level.