Functional evaluation of blood and milk phagocytes of cows naturally infected by bovine leukosis virus

Author(s)

Maiara Garcia Blagitz

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ/SBD)
• Defense date: 2011-01-31

Examining board members

Alice Maria Melville Paiva Della Libera; Nilson Roberti Benites; Cristina de Oliveira Massoco Salles Gomes; Viviani Gomes; Gerlandia Neres Pontes

• Advisor: Alice Maria Melville Paiva Della Libera

Abstract

The enzootic bovine leukemia virus (BLV) can influence the amount of lymphocytes B and other blood cells and their functions. Believing that these changes could interfere in the defense mechanisms of the mammary gland, this study evaluated blood and milk phagocytes functions from cows naturally infected VLEB through the expression of different cell surface receptors of phagocytes and lymphocytes; from death cell of phagocytes and B lymphocytes; the phagocytosis and intracellular production of hydrogen peroxide by CD14+ and CH138+ cells. We chose nine cows negative for the LEB (negative group), ten positive without lymphocytosis (LA group) and six positive with persistent lymphocytosis (LP group). In blood samples of positive cows for BLV, it was observed smaller expression of CD14+ mononuclear, T lymphocytes (CD3+) and CD21+ CD11b+ B lymphocytes, along with increased expression of B lymphocytes (CD21+). Cows of the LP group had lower amounts of T helper lymphocytes (CD3+ CD4+) and CD21+ CD5- CD11b- B lymphocytes and higher amounts of CD21+ CD5+ CD11b+ B lymphocytes. In cows of AL group it was observed lower amounts of CD21+ CD5+ B lymphocytes than in cows of negative group. Cows of LP group had lower rates of Escherichia coli phagocytosis by CD14+ mononuclear cells, lower intracellular production of hydrogen peroxide and lower rates of phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus by CH138+ polymorphonuclear cells. Cows of LP group showed less necrosis, apoptosis and/or necrosis and increased viability of CD14+ mononuclear cells, CH138+ polymorphonuclear cells and B lymphocytes (CD21+). Only the B-lymphocytes (CD21+) of the cows in the LP group showed less apoptosis, and CD14 + mononuclear cells from cows in the AL group showed higher rates of apoptosis and/or necrosis than the ones from negative cows. In the milk sample, the positive cows showed higher amounts of macrophages and increased expression of T lymphocytes (CD3+) and B lymphocytes (CD21+). Cows of AL group showed a higher amount of B lymphocytes (CD21+) than negative cows. Cows of LP group had lower amounts of T cytotoxic lymphocytes (CD3+, CD8+), CD21+ CD11b+ B lymphocytes and CD21+, CD5+, CD11b+, B lymphocytes and increased amount of CD21 + CD5- CD11b- B lymphocytes. Cows of the AL group had lower rates of Escherichia coli phagocytosis by CD14+ macrophages and CH138+ leukocytes and cows of group LP had higher production of intracellular hydrogen peroxide. The positive cows for LEB had higher rates of death by necrosis of CD14+ macrophages and B lymphocytes (CD21+) and lower rates of apoptosis of CD14+ macrophages, CH138+ leukocytes and B lymphocytes (CD21+). These cows also had higher viability of CD14+ macrophages and CH138+ leukocytes. Cows on the LP group had higher rates of apoptosis and/or necrosis of CD14+ macrophages, necrosis of CH138+ leukocytes and viability of B lymphocytes (CD21+). Results suggested that the VLEB influence the immune response of the mammary gland. (AU)