Cytokine mRNA expression in the bronchoalveolar lavage cells from horses affected by different equine asthma subtypes.
Abstract: Equine asthma (EA) is a respiratory syndrome associated with the increase of different leukocyte populations in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Its pathogenetic mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between the mRNA expression of different cytokines in the BALF, different EA subtypes and lung function. Fifteen horses underwent physical examination, airway endoscopy, BALF cytology and lung function testing (8/15). One horse did not have evidence of EA and was used as healthy reference, while the others were classified as affected by neutrophilic or mixed granulocytic EA. Cells isolated from the residual BALF were used for IL-1β, IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-17A genes expression by quantitative RT-PCR., Cytokine expression was compared between groups, and their correlations with BALF leukocyte and lung function were evaluated. IL-1β expression was positively correlated with BALF neutrophils count (p=0.038, r=0.56) and with increased expiratory resistance (p=0.047, r=0.76). IFN-γ was correlated with BALF mast cells (p=0.029, r=0.58). IL-4 was higher in horses with mixed granulocytic EA than neutrophilic (p=0.008), positively correlated with BALF mast cells (p=0.028, r=0.59) and inversely with whole-breath (p=0.046, r=-0.76) and expiratory reactance (p=0.003, r=-0.93). Finally, IL-17A was inversely correlated with expiratory reactance (p=0.009, r=-0.92). These results support that multiple immune responses are involved in EA pathogenesis; innate, Th2, and Th17 responses. Innate immunity appeared associated with neutrophilic inflammation, and Th2 response with increased mast cells. The role of Th1 response in EA remains questionable.
Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2024-02-27 PubMed ID: 38423374DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105033Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The researchers conducted a study on horses to identify the role of different immune responses and indicators in horses affected by equine asthma (EA). By correlating cytokine mRNA expression levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) with observable symptoms and lung function, the study found that different types of EA are linked with different immune responses.
Objective and Methodology
- The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between cytokine mRNA expression in the BALF of horses, various EA subtypes, and lung functions.
- They examined 15 horses, which included physical examinations, airway endoscopies, BALF cytology, and lung function testing. Of these, one horse showed no signs of EA and was used as a healthy control.
- The team used residual BALF cells to check the gene expression levels of various cytokines, namely IL-1β, IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-17A, via quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
- Finally, the researchers compared cytokine expression between groups and scrutinized the correlation of these indicators with BALF leukocyte counts and lung functionality.
Findings
- The level of IL-1β was found to be positively correlated with the neutrophil (a type of white blood cell) count in the BALF, along with increased respiratory resistance.
- IFN-γ was positively correlated with BALF mast cell count (another type of immune cell).
- IL-4 was more expressed in horses suffering from mixed granulocytic EA than those with neutrophilic EA, correlating positively with mast cells in BALF but inversely with overall breath efficiency and expiratory reactance.
- Interestingly, there was an inverse correlation noted between IL-17A and expiratory reactance.
- The scientists concluded from these results that different immune responses are involved in EA pathogenesis, specifically referring to innate, Th2, and Th17 responses. Out of these, innate immunity was associated with neutrophilic inflammation, and a Th2 response correlated with an increased count of mast cells.
Implications
- This study provides valuable insights into the immunological basis of equine asthma and how different subtypes of the condition might be characterized and potentially treated based on their distinct cytokine production profiles.
- However, the paper mentions that the role of a Th1 response in equine asthma still needs to be clarified.
Cite This Article
APA
(2024).
Cytokine mRNA expression in the bronchoalveolar lavage cells from horses affected by different equine asthma subtypes.
J Equine Vet Sci, 135, 105033.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105033 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declaration of competing interest None of the authors has any financial or personal relationships that could inappropriately influence or bias the content of the paper.
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