Changes in blood lymphocyte subpopulations and expression of MHC-II molecules in wild mares before and after parturition

Krakowski, Leszek; Bartoszek, Przemysław; Krakowska, Izabela; Stachurska, Anna; Piech, Tomasz; Brodzki, Piotr; Wrona, Zygmunt

doi:10.1515/jvetres-2017-0028

Abstract

Introduction: Pregnancy is a physiological state in which the immune system undergoes certain changes. On the one hand, by depleting cell defence mechanisms, it favours development and maintenance of the pregnancy. At the same time cells of the immune system ensure resistance to many risk factors, including infectious agents.

Material and Methods: The study was carried out on 24 Polish Konik breed mares which were divided into two equal groups. The first group (group I) included mares living in the reserve. The second group (group II) comprised mares maintained under conventional conditions in the stables. The blood samples were collected for the first time in the perinatal period, i.e. 2 weeks before parturition (trial 0), then within the first 24 h after delivery, and then on 7^th and 21^st day after foaling. Flow cytometric analysis of lymphocyte expressing TCD4+, TCD8+, CD2+, and MHC class II antigens was performed.

Results: Before the delivery, in group I there was a significantly higher CD4:CD8 ratio compared to group II (P ≤0.05). Similarly, significantly increased CD4:CD8 ratio in group I was noted within 24 h after parturition (P ≤0.001) and it was also observed on 7^th day (P ≤0.03) and 21^st day after foaling (P ≤0.02). In the first 24 h after parturition, a significant decline of lymphocytes CD8+ (P ≤0.02) was noted. No significant differences in terms of lymphocytes CD2+ and CD3+ were observed. Expression of MHC-II molecules before and after the parturition was higher in group I compared to group II; however, the difference between the groups was not significant.

Conclusion: The results obtained indicate that mares living in the reserve display higher activity of cell defence mechanisms.

References

1. Agrícola R., Carvalho H., Bartosa M., Pereira M., Medeiros J., Ferreira-Dias G.: Blood lymphocyte subpopulations, neutrophil phagocytosis and proteinogram during late pregnancy and postpartum in mares. Reprod Dom Anim 2008, 43, 212–217.10.1111/j.1439-0531.2007.00879.x
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
2. Allen W.R.: Deficiency and embryo mortality in the mares. Reprod Dom Anim 2001, 36, 121–131.10.1046/j.1439-0531.2001.d01-43.x
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
3. Amjadi F., Salehi E., Mehdizadeh M., Aflatoonian R.: Role of the innate immunity in female reproductive tract. Adv Biomed Res 2014, 3, 1–11.10.4103/2277-9175.124626
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
4. Antczak D.F.: T-cell tolerance to the developing equine conceptus. Reprod Dom Anim 2012, 47, 376–383.10.1111/j.1439-0531.2012.02101.x
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
5. Bacon S.J., Ellis S.A., Antczak D.F.: Control of expression of major histocompatibility complex genes in horse trophoblast. Bio Reprod 2002, 6, 1612–1620.10.1095/biolreprod66.6.1612
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
6. Barriga C., Rodriguez A.B., Ortega E.: Increased phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes during pregnancy. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 1994, 57, 43–46.10.1016/0028-2243(94)90109-0
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
7. Beer A., Kwak-Kim J.Y.H.: Immunology of normal pregnancy. Reproductive medicine program. Finch University of Health Sciences, Chicago Medical School 2000, pp. 1–23.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
8. Carroll J.A., Forsberg N.E.: Influence of stress and nutrition on cattle immunity. Vet Clin Food Anim 2007, 23, 105–149.10.1016/j.cvfa.2007.01.003
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
9. Da Costa R.P, Carvalho H., Agrícola R., Alpoim-Moreira J., Martins C., Ferreira-Dias G.: Peripheral blood neutrophil function and lymphocyte subpopulations in cycling mares. Reprod Dom Anim 2003, 38, 464–469.10.1046/j.0936-6768.2003.00464.x
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
10. De Mestre A., Noronha L., Wagner B., Antczak D.F.: Split immunological tolerance to trophoblast. Int J Dev Biol 2010, 54, 445–455.10.1387/ijdb.082795ad
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
11. Dohms J.E., Metz A.: Stress-mechanisms of immuno-suppression. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 1991, 30, 89–109.10.1016/0165-2427(91)90011-Z
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
12. Ferreira-Dias G., Claudino F., Carvalho H., Agrícola R., Alpoim-Moreira J., Robalo-Silva J.: Seasonal reproduction in the mare: possible role of plasma leptin, body weight and immune status. Dom Anim Endocrinol 2005, 29, 203–213.10.1016/j.domaniend.2005.02.006
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
13. Flaminio B.F., Rush B.R., Shuman W.: Peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations and immunoglobulin concentrations in healthy foals and foals with Rhodococcus equi pneumonia. J Vet Intern Med 1999, 13, 206–212.10.1111/j.1939-1676.1999.tb02180.x
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
14. Flaminio M.J.B.F., Antczak D.F.: Inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation and activation: a mechanism used by equine invasive trofoblast to escape the maternal immune response. Placenta 2005, 26, 148–159.10.1016/j.placenta.2004.05.008
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
15. Fumuso E.A., Aguilar J., Gigue’re A., Rivulgo M., Wade J., Rogan D.: Immune parameters in mares resistant and susceptible to persistent post-breeding endometritis: Effects of immunomodulation. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2007, 118, 30–39.10.1016/j.vetimm.2007.04.009
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
16. Givens M.D., Marley M.S.D.: Infectious causes of embryonic and fetal mortality. Theriogenology 2008, 70, 270–285.10.1016/j.theriogenology.2008.04.018
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
17. Kobayashi S.D., Voyich J.M., Burlak C., DeLeo F.: Neutrophils in the innate immune response. Arch Immunol Ther Exp 2005, 53, 505–517.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
18. Krakowski L., Krawczyk C.H., Wrona Z., Dąbrowski R., Jarosz Ł.: Levels of selected T lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood of mares which experienced early embryonic death. Anim Reprod Sci 2010, 120, 71–77.10.1016/j.anireprosci.2010.02.019
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
19. Kumru S., Boztosum A., Goderkmerdan A.: Pregnancy associated changes in peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations and serum cytokine concentrations in healthy women. J Reprod Med 2005, 50, 246–250.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
20. Levis G.S.: Steroidal regulation of uterine immune defenses. Anim Reprod Sci 2004, 82, 281–294.10.1016/j.anireprosci.2004.04.026
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
21. Lunn D.P., Holmes M.A, Duffus W.P.: Equine T-lymphocyte MHC II expression with age and subset. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 1993, 35, 225–238.10.1016/0165-2427(93)90036-4
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
22. Meirom R., Brenner S., Brenner J.: Changes in the cellular subpopulations of peripheral blood leukocytes during the reproductive cycle of dairy cows. Isr J Vet Med 1999, 54, 1–16.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
23. Moffett A., Loke Y.W.: The immunological paradox of pregnancy: a reappraisal. Placenta 2004, 25, 1–8.10.1016/S0143-4004(03)00167-X
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
24. Morell V.: Zeroing in on how hormones affect the immune system. Science 1995, 269, 773–774.10.1126/science.76385877638587
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
25. Noronha L.E., Antczak D.F.: Maternal immune responses to trophoblast: the contribution of the horse to pregnancy immunology. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010, 64, 231–244.10.1111/j.1600-0897.2010.00895.x
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
26. Parnes J.R.: Molecular biology and function of CD4 and CD8. Adv Immunol 1989, 44, 265–312.10.1016/S0065-2776(08)60644-6
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
27. Perkins G.A., Wagner B.: The development of equine immunity: current knowledge on immunology in the young horse. Equine Vet J 2015, 47, 267–274.10.1111/evj.1238725405920
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
28. Risvanli, A.: Reproductive immunology in mares. As J Anim Vet Ad 2011, 6, 547–554.10.3923/ajava.2011.547.554
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
29. Robbin M.G., Wagner B., Noronha L.E., Antczak D.E., De Mestre A.M.: Subpopulations of equine blood lymphocytes expressing regulatory T cell markers. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2011, 140, 90–101.10.1016/j.vetimm.2010.11.02021208665
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
30. Takahiro A., Mitsuo I.: Hematological and biochemical profiles in peripartum mares and neonatal foals (Heavy Draft Horse). J Equine Vet Sci 2012, 32, 170–176.10.1016/j.jevs.2011.08.015
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
31. Walters K.W., Roser J.F., Anderson G.B.: Maternal-conceptus signalling during early pregnancy in mares: oestrogen and insulin-like growth factor I. Reproduction 2001, 121, 331–338.10.1530/rep.0.1210331
Search in Google Scholar Back to article

Changes in blood lymphocyte subpopulations and expression of MHC-II molecules in wild mares before and after parturition

Abstract

Paradigm

My account