Comparative transcriptome analysis of equine alveolar macrophages.
Abstract: Alveolar macrophages (AMs) are the first line of defence against pathogens in the lungs of all mammalian species and thus may constitute appropriate therapeutic target cells in the treatment and prevention of opportunistic airway infections. Therefore, acquiring a better understanding of equine macrophage biology is of paramount importance in addressing this issue in relation to the horse. Objective: To compare the transcriptome of equine AMs with that of equine peritoneal macrophages (PMs) and to investigate the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on equine AM. Methods: Gene expression study of equine AMs. Methods: Cells from both bronchoalveolar and peritoneal lavage fluid were isolated from systemically healthy horses that had been submitted to euthanasia. Cells were cryopreserved. RNA was extracted and comparative microarray analyses were performed in AMs and PMs, and in AMs treated and untreated with LPS. Comparisons with published data derived from human AM studies were made, with particular focus on LPS-induced inflammatory status. Results: The comparison between AMs and PMs revealed the differential basal expression of 451 genes. Gene expression analysis revealed an alternative (M2) macrophage polarisation profile in AMs and a hybrid macrophage activation profile in PMs, a phenomenon potentially attributable to a degree of induced endotoxin tolerance. The gene expression profile of equine AMs following LPS stimulation revealed significant changes in the expression of 240 genes, including well-known upregulated inflammatory genes. This LPS-induced gene expression profile of equine AMs more closely resembles that of human rather than murine macrophages. Conclusions: This study improves current understanding of equine macrophage biology. These data suggest that the horse may represent a suitable animal model for the study of human macrophage-associated lung inflammation and data derived from human macrophage studies may have significant relevance to the horse.
© 2016 The Authors Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2016-07-09 PubMed ID: 27096353PubMed Central: PMC5412682DOI: 10.1111/evj.12584Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This study explored the genetic characteristics and immune activities of specific cells, known as alveolar macrophages, found in horse lungs. Comparisons were made between these cells and similar ones found in the abdominal cavity, and changes were examined after exposure to a bacterial component. The research provides new insights on the immune responses of horses and suggests they might be useful models for studying human lung inflammation.
Research Aims and Methods
- The aim of the study was to better understand the biology of equine (horse) macrophages, specifically a type called alveolar macrophages (AMs) found in the lungs. These cells play a crucial role in initiating the immune response to lung infections. The researchers wanted to compare these cells with a different kind of macrophage that are found in the peritoneum (the cavity that contains the abdominal organs), known as peritoneal macrophages (PMs).
- To do this, they isolated these different types of cells from the lungs and peritoneum of healthy horses. They then used laboratory techniques to freeze these cells and extract their RNA, the molecule that carries genetic information.
- They then used microarray analysis, a laboratory technique that allows the simultaneous measurement of the expression of thousands of genes, to compare the gene activity in the different types of cells.
Results and Findings
- The researchers found significant differences in gene expression between AMs and PMs, with 451 genes exhibiting different activity between the cell types. This showed that these cells, despite both being types of macrophages, had distinct gene activity patterns and potentially different immune functions.
- The analysis suggested that AMs were predominantly characterized by an alternative macrophage activation profile, or M2 profile. M2 macrophages play a role in wound healing and the resolution of inflammation. In contrast, PMs demonstrated a hybrid activation profile, involving both M1 (inflammatory) and M2 (anti-inflammatory) macrophages, potentially due to endotoxin tolerance.
- Upon stimulating AMs with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, a component of certain types of bacteria that can trigger an immune response), 240 genes showed significant changes in their expression. This includes an increased expression of genes linked to inflammation, therefore, suggesting the horse’s immune response to LPS.
Significance and Conclusions
- The results of this work deepen the understanding of equine macrophage biology, revealing important differences in their immune functions based on their location and also how they respond to bacterial infection.
- Interestingly, the gene activity pattern seen in equine AMs stimulated with LPS was found to be more similar to that seen in human macrophages rather than in mice, which are commonly used in laboratory studies.
- This finding, therefore, suggests that horses could represent a useful model for studying lung inflammation in humans and consequently, help to improve treatments and prevention strategies for lung diseases.
Cite This Article
APA
Karagianni AE, Kapetanovic R, Summers KM, McGorum BC, Hume DA, Pirie RS.
(2016).
Comparative transcriptome analysis of equine alveolar macrophages.
Equine Vet J, 49(3), 375-382.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12584 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, UK.
- Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, UK.
- Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, UK.
- Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, UK.
- Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, UK.
- Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cells, Cultured
- Gene Expression Regulation / physiology
- Horses
- Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
- Macrophages, Alveolar / drug effects
- Macrophages, Alveolar / metabolism
- Macrophages, Peritoneal / physiology
- Transcriptome / physiology
Grant Funding
- BBS/E/D/20211552 / Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
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