Decreased cyclooxygenase-2 gene expression and lactoferrin release in blood neutrophils of heifers during the calving period

Hidalgo MA, Loncomán CA, Hidalgo AI, Andrade V, Carretta MD, Burgos RA.

Abstract

Immunosuppression during the calving period in dairy cows is associated with an increased risk of diseases. Correct neutrophil function is a key mechanism of innate immunity that is used to protect the host from pathogenic microorganisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the function of blood neutrophils obtained from heifers between 30 days preparturition and 30 days postparturition. We assessed the phagocytosis of fluorescent bioparticles using flow cytometry, chemotaxis induced by chemoattractants using the transwell plate assay, lactoferrin release using ELISA and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene expression using real time-PCR Our results showed an increased ability of phagocytosis of bioparticles and chemotaxis induced by the chemotactic agent platelet activating factor (PAF), between day 15 preparturition until day 30 postparturition, and at calving, respectively. COX-2 gene expression induced by PAF was increased only in neutrophils obtained at days 30 pre- and post-parturition (p < 0.001). Neutrophil lactoferrin release was reduced between day 15 preparturition and day 30 postparturition compared with that at day 30 preparturition. Furthermore, lactoferrin plasma levels were increased at calving. In conclusion, we provided evidence that neutrophils from heifers around calving time exhibit impairment of particular defensive functions, such as COX-2 mRNA expression and lactoferrin, suggesting that these mechanisms may contribute to immunosuppression in cows around calving. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Más información

Título según WOS: Decreased cyclooxygenase-2 gene expression and lactoferrin release in blood neutrophils of heifers during the calving period
Título según SCOPUS: Decreased cyclooxygenase-2 gene expression and lactoferrin release in blood neutrophils of heifers during the calving period
Título de la Revista: VETERINARY IMMUNOLOGY AND IMMUNOPATHOLOGY
Volumen: 160
Número: 1-2
Editorial: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
Fecha de publicación: 2014
Página de inicio: 139
Página final: 144
Idioma: English
URL: http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0165242714000968
DOI:

10.1016/j.vetimm.2014.04.003

Notas: ISI, SCOPUS